When elevating your wardrobe some questions may come up, like "is wearing navy and black together ok?". In fashion there are no hard and steady rules, but this topic seems to be one where people are most afraid to commit a fashion "don't". Most stylists agree that this color combination is a great choice. "Many people think that you can’t wear navy and black together, but that is a fashionmyth", saysNYC Personal Stylist, Cassandra Sethi, founder of Next Level Wardrobe. She goes on to say, "black and navy look stunning together—it is very sophisticated and flatters all body types. Itis a great color combination throughout the year."
Jessica Burke ofWell Layered, who providesStyle Inspiration and Wardrobe Services,agrees. She adds that navy blue and black are "both highly versatile and typically work well with every other color in your wardrobe. You wouldn't hesitate to mix either navy or black with say white, grey or nude pieces, so they most definitely can go together!" She also advises something very important: "Have fun and never take fashion "rules" too seriously."
Convinced? If you want to try wearing black and navy blue clothing togetherbelow are some top tips from stylists along with a few great wardrobe pieces to get started.
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Start Small
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Want to dip a toe into the black and navy blue outfit scene? Start with something classic. Meredith Jolly of Lulus says, "If you are uncomfortable with the pairing at first, try dark blue denim paired with ablacktop and shoes. Denim is almost universally considered a neutral, so it's a no-brainer to pair it withblack clothing items without looking like you're going for a high fashion take on the color combo."
Classic staples are a great place to get started. Another easy add-in is to add one layer like a blazer, vest, or cardigan likeBurke did here. Her go-to is a "blackdress andnavyvest.Or even crispblackmoto pants and anavyblazer!" Try one classic layer over another for a winning combination.
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Mixing In
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Another way to ease in to this color combination according to ModStylist, Franny, from ModCloth: “Look for pieces that already mix navy and black in themselves; this helps to tie everything together more naturally.”If you want to keep it classic, go with this color combination only, and in simple color block or solids. Patty Soltis, Founder & CEO of STYLEdge® , says, “Be cautious of other colors being mixed in.When combining these two for the chic effect, stick to navy and black only. Other colors become distracting.” However, other style experts suggest otherwise.Once you’re comfortable with the blue and black color pairing, it’s time to take it up another level.
Franny says not to shy away from mixing in prints and accents colors to your navy and black outfit for a little pizazz. “Navy and black are already both neutrals, so adding another color creates dimension and visual interest for a cohesive look.”
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Date Night
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For date night, ModStylist Franny is a big fan of pairing a LBJ, or little black jacket, over a navy blue dress. Her favorite black jacket choice? Leather or faux leather. “A leather jacket makes almost anything look better and this rings true to black and navy combos. Pair your favorite navy dress with a great leather jacket for instant date-night chic”, she suggests. In addition, pay attention to fabric combinations. “Be sure to watch your fabric pairings and focus on texture”, she warns. “The navy and black color pairing can look dingy and unkempt if you're mixing too many competing fabrics.” To avoid this mix and match don’t, she suggests to “focus on the texture of your fabrics for the most optimal pairings, like a leather jacket and velvet dress, a chunky knit sweater with a silk slip dress, or a chambray top and black denim pants” to name a few.
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Office Wear
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When it comes to workwear, you can’t go wrong with a great black or navy suit. But what about mixing in the other color? Soltis says, “Wearing black and navy in the workplace is not only appropriate, it is a powerful color combination that speaks about success, achievements and results. Wear both of these colors when meeting with a lucrative client, hosting a presentation, or speaking to the community to radiate authority, knowledge, and experience.” Think of this color combination as your power colors!
If you’re not sure what to wear with it, Soltis points out that starting with a navy suit and mixing in black heels is most appropriate. “When mixing and matching a navy dress or suit with black shoes, try black patent shoes as these will be best or try a pair of black suede”, like the photo seen here.
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Different Hues
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Not all stylists think blue and navy arethe best color combination. Diane Pollack, Wardrobe Consultant & Personalist Stylist of Stylempower, states: “Personally, I think it is an acceptable combo, but not a preferred one. Meaning I would not seek out to style an outfit with a navy and black combo as I find it dull and not as sleek as an all black combo.”
Though it’s not a recommended choice, she does say wearing black and blue together aren’t going to put you in fashion police jail. “I do think it is an acceptable combo and no one is going to look at you like a faux pas. Certainly choosing black shoes with a navy dress because you don't have navy shoes is perfectly fine. If you have a contrasting choice I would recommend that first.”
And her advice to those who want to go for it is to try a “lighter and brighter hue than a true navy.” When the blue is strikingly different than the black and stands out on its own she says, “This can be a good-looking combination.”Elsa Isaac, a personal fashion stylist to women entrepreneurs, agrees: "Black and navy can definitely be a beautiful combo, as long as you choose a navy that isn't too dark it looks black, or a black that's too light it looks charcoal/grey. You can create even more interest with these two colors by pairing each in interesting textures."
There are many different variations on the navy or blue color, including different tones and shades. The takeaway here is to play with the blue hue and see what works for you.
Try the styles seen here from Tobi: The Blue Bold and Brave Dress or the Total Opposite Black and Blue Sweater.
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Go Overseas and High End
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Diane Roth, owner of L'Armoire and celebrity stylist, said: "Navy and black are staple colors in Europe and Asia. Most European tweeds and patterns have both incorporated in them. When you put the two together be careful that the navy is the black based dye and not a red base”. She states most American navy colors use a red base, so try purchasing from European designers or investing in high end tweeds and materials.
She adds to keep a color ratio in mind when wearing both navy and black. “Most combos work best when you have two thirds of one color and one third of the other. That way you don't look like you dressed in the dark. It has to look planned, not done in error.” So do a little math and plan ahead to keep yourself looking your best. Her best trick for this look? “ Have a scarf or shawl to tie the two colors together more.”Try out the looks here from L'Armoire, and Max Mara.
And don't forget shoes! Adding in that last bit of color, or wearing a pair that is already a mix of black and blue is a great way to get in on this trend. Try ahigh end pair like these from Chanel or a casual pair of sneakers from Lulus.
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Accessories
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When it comes to creating a cohesive navy and black outfit accessories are key.Catherine Bachelier Smith from CBS Lifestylistsuggests to "buy a bag or hat that has both black and navy so that there is no question you 'meant' for this to happen." Don't give them any reason to think you accidentally wore black and blue together, thinking they were both one or the other.
Maria Jacobs, Stitch Fix Style Expert agrees. "Pair ablacksweater with a black and navy checkered scarfandnavyhandbag." Adding in those little details really helps the look come alive. "Another fun idea is to pair navy tights and scarf with a monochromaticblackoutfit," Banchelier Smith adds. Keeping in mind that the main part of the outfit can anchor the look and accessories can elevate it. Add in that last finishing touch!
FAQs
What does it mean to wear navy blue and black? ›
The old sartorial rule that cautioned against wearing black and blue together (especially dark blue or navy) has no real merit. Just like black, navy carries a sense of elegance and sophistication. It also conveys importance, confidence, power and authority as well as intelligence, stability and conservatism.
Is black and navy blue OK to wear together? ›What other colours can it be worn with and the ultimate style question is can you wear navy and black together? The answer is YES! It has long been considered a winning colour formula, dark navy and black and both from the same colour category (Winter), so sit tonal well together.
How do you style navy and black? ›Either add a black pair of shoes with a dark blue dress, or a navy scarf with a black suit. That way the whole outfit blends in tonally. If you're able to wear denim to work, this contrasting blue texture is an ideal way to layer in a 3rd tonal shade, rather than a contrast colour.
Do people wear navy and black? ›As you can see, black and navy are in the same family and can be worn together, so feel free to embrace this pairing to your outfit preferences. Remember to stick to three colors maximum in your outfit: black, navy and one more neutral (if desired).
What does wearing navy blue say about you? ›Navy blue evokes feelings of power and authority rather than the ideas of relaxation and peace that go along with more standard shades of blue. Darker shades of blue tend to lean more towards ideas of authority and importance.
What colors do not go with navy blue? ›Overall, navy color pairings should be clear, crisp, and bright. Black-shaded hues like dusty purple, hunter green, and maroon share navy's intensity and are likely to fade when paired with the dark-blue hue.
How do you pair navy blue and black? ›The most classically chic way to pair navy and black is to use black as a base, and let the blue stand out up top. What's great about this look is that not only do black pants elongate your legs, but a blue top frames the face and draws the eyes up. It's a win-win all over.
What color looks best with navy? ›Red, pink, beige, black — mysteriously, all the colors go with navy blue.
Why can't you wear navy and black? ›A: This is absolutely untrue. It's just one of those antiquated fashion rules like "no white shoes after Labor Day." Black and brown, black and navy, brown and navy — it all works.
What color is calming for mental health? ›Green – Quiet and restful, green is a soothing color that can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety. Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm. Purple – In many cultures, shades of violet represent strength, wisdom and peace.
What does dark blue say about your personality? ›
Those with Blue color personality strengths tend to be enthusiastic, sympathetic, communicative, compassionate, idealistic, sincere and imaginative. They care and want to contribute to everything they are a part of. Relationships are important to blues.
How does navy blue affect your mood? ›Because blue is favored by so many people, it is often viewed as a non-threatening color that can seem conservative and traditional. Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness and relaxation. 3 It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly. Blue is seen as a sign of stability and reliability.
What is the 3 color rule fashion? ›One formula I've found helpful to add color while still looking chic and put-together is the 3-color rule. Aim for 3 colors in an outfit, and yes, your neutrals count. Above, I've used 3 colors: tan/camel for the pants and shoes, red sweater, and light peach blazer. (My personal preference is 2 neutrals + 1 color.
What compliments navy blue clothes? ›Read More » The most popular colors that go with navy blue are as follows: white (a traditional pairing – sure version); light grey or teal green (to set it off); orange or flesh red (to contrast it). Navy and neutrals can be a great combination whether you are looking for a casual look or something more formal.
What color compliments blue the most? ›Blue and orange are opposite each other on the color wheel, making them ideal complements, as evidenced by this orange lamp and navy wall pairing.
Does navy blue go better with black or grey? ›Grey and navy blue
If you are looking for a color that effortlessly works with any grey shade, navy blue is it. Pair it with a soft, light grey to warm up the space, or create some drama with deep almost black grey.
As for shoes, you can ignore that old "navy and black don't mix" rule once and for all: Pairing your dress with black heels makes a flattering, sophisticated statement. You can also add sheer black tights, an evening-appropriate solution for those who don't want to bare their legs.
Can you wear black shoes with navy pants? ›Wearing navy pants with black shoes is a tried and true pairing. Both shades are among the most formal colors, so finding them together is very common. Black is the color for formal wear. Since wearing black suits to the office may sometimes feel a bit too dressy, navy suits are the next best option.
What are the 3 best colors that go together? ›- Yellow, red, and blue.
- Green, orange, and purple.
- Teal, magenta, and gold.
Navy clothing items can be dressed up or down based on colour pairing and accessories, and adding navy to any outfit creates a polished look. Not to mention, navy looks good on everyone and can be more flattering than black as it's not as harsh of a colour.
Does navy color go with everything? ›
Navy is a dark shade of blue that works well with just about any color, whether summer or fall. Therefore, don't be surprised to see this elegant hue being one of the color staples in any closet. You can turn any Navy outfit into any look from Causal to Formal.
What does dark blue and black mean? ›Black and Blue Meaning
Definition: Bruised, beaten up. The term black and blue refers to the colors of a bruise. Something that is black and blue has been hurt either physically or emotionally. When used literally, the phrase describes a physical injury.
Get Some Sunlight on the Subject
Here's the thing about black clothing: The color flattens out under natural light. It doesn't look as dark, and gets (slightly) closer to gray. On the other side of the coin, navy blue clothes actually get a bit more depth of character when the sun hits 'em.
The short answer is yes, you can wear navy blue with black. While some may say they should never go together, here at Men's Health we believe that this color duo is the perfect combo to amp up your wardrobe, perhaps because so many in the office can't seem to stray from wearing these two colors together.
What does dark blue say about a person? ›Blue is said to represent your sensitive and reliable side, with a consistent effort to think of others. Lovers of blue typically respect that stability is an extremely important aspect of your life, and you probably like to keep a clean and tidy household.
What does dark blue represent in a person? ›Light blue is associated with health, healing, tranquility, understanding, and softness. Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness.