Style rule breakers: how to wear navy and black together — Edits Styling (2024)

Recently I have been asked a lot by clients and friends for inspiration on how to style navy. 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. But if you are still hesitant at this coupling of colours, then read on and take note.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring in the mirror asking, “Can I wear this navy blazer with these black trousers?” or “What colour shoes and tights go with this navy dress?” You’re not alone.

However, the old sartorial rule that cautioned against wearing black and navy together, has no real merit. The truth is, most neutrals look great together, like white and beige, black and white, white and navy … You get the idea. These colours usually make up the foundation of our wardrobe, so it’s only natural that we’d wear them together.

Whether in a single garment or combined in a head-to-toe look, black and navy blue look ultra-sophisticated together. It’s dark without being gothic, and sleek without being too stuffy. Adding the dark blue shade can soften the look of a harsh all-black edit, whilst still nailing a cool winter style. Consider it as low maintenance styling at it's best as you most probably own both colours in your wardrobe, all you need is some styling inspiration. Follow my pinterest board for more style ideas - Navy & Black

Style rule breakers: how to wear navy and black together — Edits Styling (2024)

FAQs

Can you style navy and black 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 combine black and navy? ›

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.

How do you style navy and black? ›

Add A Contrasting Color

Add a pop of color with navy and black in your accessories like brown boots. The contrast helps the outfit look sharp and thoughtful. You could also incorporate white to look sharp as well with a basic Navy blazer, white tee, and black jeans.

Is it OK to wear black and blue together? ›

Consider contrasting textures

Blue and black are quite close to each other on the colour spectrum and can sometimes get lost when paired together. This is where contrasting textures of matte cloth paired with clothes and accessories with a smoother, shinier finish can help individual bits sing.

Does navy and black clash? ›

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).

Can you mix black and navy decor? ›

From fashion to interiors, it's an unspoken interior design rule everyone seems to follow. But mixing navy and black is one of our favorite looks! The rules of interior design sometimes include following your heart, and we definitely love to mix these two colors.

What is navy code black? ›

The Black Code (more formally, Military Intelligence Code No. 11) was a secret code used by US military attachés in the early period of World War II. The nickname derived from the color of the superencipherment tables/codebook binding.

What happens if you mix navy blue and black? ›

What Color Do Blue and Black Make in Paint? If you mix blue and black paint together, you'll get dark blue, also commonly known as navy blue. That's because mixing black with a color creates a shade, which is a darker version of that color. The more black paint you use in the mixture, the darker the result will be.

Can you wear navy brown and black? ›

You can totally mix black, brown and navy blue.

What colors go with navy? ›

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. Luckily, you'll find plenty of colors, including mustard yellow, bright pink, cherry red, and even metallic gold, that go beautifully with navy blue.

Do you wear black shoes with navy? ›

Navy is less expected than black for nights out, and easier on the complexion, too. 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.

What colours don't go together? ›

7 Worst color combinations to avoid
  • Yellow and green. Yellow and green are two of the most popular colors in the world. ...
  • Brown and orange. ...
  • Red and green. ...
  • Neon and Neon. ...
  • Purple and yellow. ...
  • Red and purple. ...
  • Black and Navy.
Aug 18, 2022

What colour makes blue stand out? ›

Because orange sits opposite to blue on the color wheel, it's a natural complement to blue. This pleasing combination also offers an energizing contrast that's perfect for a bustling kitchen.

How can the dress be blue and black? ›

The people who saw the dress as blue and black subtracted the longer wavelengths which were red in colour, to align with their assumption that the photo was taken in warm, artificial light.

Is navy more flattering than black? ›

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 go with anything? ›

Red, pink, beige, black — mysteriously, all the colors go with navy blue.

Can you wear navy blazer with black pants? ›

Navy blue blazer with black pants – an absolute dapper look!

The blue and black combination might seem a bit boring, but it all comes down to what color shirt with blue blazer to make the outfit look dapper. The go-to shirt colour for the navy blue blazer with black pants look would probably be black or white.

Does light navy and black match? ›

Light and medium shades of blue generally work well with black (as with a light blue shirt and a black blazer or suit). Without a jacket, a light blue shirt and black trousers may make you look like an officer ... but, who knows, that may be a look you want.

Can I mix blue and black decor? ›

Countless color schemes and patterns allow for versatility when decorating with black and blue. Color combinations featuring ikat, gingham and rococo patterns liven up a room and help you to achieve a look and style that is your own -- whether you're aiming for traditional, shabby chic, vintage or contemporary.

Does light navy blue go with black? ›

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.

Does GREY and black go with navy? ›

It's a perfect partnership, that goes hand in hand with elegant tailoring and classic lines.

Does navy look good on black? ›

Whether worn in a single garment or combined in a head-to-toe look, black and navy looks oh-so sophisticated and extremely chic together. A favourite combination of many European designers, it's also dark without being gothic, and sleek without being too stuffy. Navy has black in it, so the two are perfect companions.

How can you tell if you are black or navy? ›

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.

What is code 12 navy? ›

The Office of the Judge Advocate General Environmental Law Division (Code 12) provides subject matter expertise to the Navy Judge Advocate General on the impact of environmental law on naval operations.

Why can't you wear black and brown? ›

There is an old school fashion rule about not pairing black and brown together. The logic was that black and brown are opposing colors and should not be mixed. As with most fashion rules, this one has gone out the window.

What does black and blue symbolize? ›

Black and Blue Meaning

When used literally, the phrase describes a physical injury. When used figuratively, as in the phrase, “I was left black and blue after my girlfriend left me,” it means someone is in so much emotional pain that he feels as if he has been bruised by his emotional suffering.

Does navy blue look good on black people? ›

Navy blue is the perfect subtle color that looks amazing on dark skin. Although pastels are the go-to for dark skin, this is one of those deeper colors that just work. If you are looking for a nice change from your classic black, navy blue is the perfect substitute.

What is the rule for black and brown fashion? ›

Black and brown work best together when you skip any bold or bright colors and just do a mix of neutral hues. Focus more on the level of dressiness of your black/brown pieces, rather than the color combination. If you have a dressy black bag, choose a more dressy brown jacket.

Can I wear brown shoes with navy pants and black shirt? ›

A Fashionable Pair: Brown Shoes and Black Pants

It's possible to pull this off. Lots of men choose to wear brown shoes with grey pants or navy blue ones. But if you want, you can wear them with black pants too. Just follow the simple tips in this article and you'll always look dapper!

Do you wear black or brown shoes with navy blue? ›

Black shoes paired with a navy suit provide a certain level of sophistication and formality that is not necessarily as apparent with brown shoes. This combo tends to be more appropriate for evening weddings and weddings that take place in the fall and winter in cooler climates.

What does it mean if I like navy blue? ›

Navy blue represents trust and stability and is less attention-seeking than lighter shades of blue. Navy blue is conservative and evokes feelings of tradition and convention.

What color code is navy blue? ›

The navy blue hex code is #000080. Because of its roots, the color is easily associated with the military.

What shoes go best with navy? ›

If you wish to stay formal and elegant, dark brown, oxblood or black shoes can also be paired with dark blue suits. Navy Blue Suits: you can play with different shades of brown when it comes to a navy blue suit. For a less formal look, pair your navy suit with medium brown shoes.

What color socks to wear with navy pants? ›

For a more traditional look, try navy, black or grey dress socks with your blue pants. To add a splash of color, orange, light blue and red dress socks will all look fantastic with blue dress pants.

What shoes do you wear with navy? ›

Your navy blue dress can read casual with brown, tan, or nude shoes and dressier with white, gold, or red shoes.

What are the three colors that Cannot be mixed? ›

Primary colors include red, blue and yellow. Primary colors cannot be mixed from other colors. They are the source of all other colors. Secondary colors are mixed from two primary colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

What is the 3 color rule in 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 are the 3 best colors that go together? ›

If you're looking for a few basic but perennially popular 3 color combinations to kickstart your color palette, think about combinations like:
  • Yellow, red, and blue.
  • Green, orange, and purple.
  • Teal, magenta, and gold.

Which color stands out most? ›

Red is the color of power. It gets people's attention and holds it. It is the most popular color for marketing. The color red tends to increase the heart rate and create a sense of urgency.

Which colour cancels out blue? ›

An illustration called a color wheel shows the relationship between colors. Colors on opposite sides of the wheel cancel each other out. So, if you are trying to cancel out blue hair, you would use its opposite color: orange. Canceling out blue hair with an orange-based color will give you a neutral base.

Can you wear a blue dress and black shoes? ›

Can you wear black shoes with a blue dress? You may have asked yourself that, and YES – you can wear black shoes with a blue dress. It's actually a lovely bold shoe choice with an equally bold dress color.

Why do I see the dress as blue and brown? ›

Those who saw it as a blue-black shade assumed a warm, artificial light, so their brains ignored longer, redder wavelengths. Those who saw the dress as a blue-brown color probably assumed neutral lighting, the researchers said.

What colour is the dress illusion? ›

The retailer of the dress confirmed that the real color of the 'Lace Bodycon Dress' was actually blue and black. So, although the dress is blue and black, your unconscious overthinking makes you see it as white and gold.

Can black and navy go 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.

What skin tone looks best in navy? ›

As a cool skin tone often means your skin is pale or has light features, you'll want to use darker colors. The best outfits for pale skin often rely on colors like emerald green, navy and bold shades of blue.

Can you wear navy and black vogue? ›

Navy and black is quite simply the chicest colour pairing known to woman. A navy cashmere sweater, smart skinny jeans and black leather loafers come together for an outfit packed with ease and elegance, and simultaneously prove that the darkest shades can be the happiest bedfellows.

Do you wear black or brown with navy? ›

Just as navy suits pair well with brown shoes, paler blues work better, in turn, with paler shades of brown. Whether your suit is a Royal blue or a summery pastel shade, opt for tan leather or suede opposed to darker hues to complement your blue suit and perfect the smart-casual aesthetic at every suitable occasion.

Can you wear a black bag with a navy outfit? ›

Can you wear navy and black together? You sure can. In fact, it's my favorite color combination.

Can you wear black shoes and tights with a navy dress? ›

Black Tights

“But wait!” you say, “Isn't navy and black a fashion faux pas?!” We've all heard it a million times, but these days, black and navy are finding their way back into the fashion spotlight. Keep it classy with black heels and a slim black belt to tie it all together.

Can you wear a navy blue dress shirt with a black suit? ›

Black Suit with Blue Shirt

The lighter the hue of blue, the more casual you'll look, while darker shades like navy will dress up your black suit.

What color shoes look best with navy blue pants? ›

8 Shoe Colors Perfect For Your Navy Blue Outfit
  • 01 of 08. Dark Brown. Brown is my favorite color to pair with navy. ...
  • 02 of 08. Tan. I love tan because a light color shoe is a bit daintier, less clunky than a darker one. ...
  • 03 of 08. Light Blue. ...
  • 04 of 08. White or Cream. ...
  • 05 of 08. Red. ...
  • 06 of 08. Orange. ...
  • 07 of 08. Yellow. ...
  • 08 of 08. Gold.
Jan 10, 2022

What color socks do you wear with a blue suit? ›

On more formal occasions, grey socks go well with a navy blue suit, as they create a more professional look. Brown socks provide pleasing contrast when worn with navy tailoring.

Who wears brown shoes in the navy? ›

In the U.S. Navy, shoe color marks a cultural divide. Prior to WWI, officers training to be Naval aviators in San Diego began to wear brown shoes instead of standard black shoes to hide the dust from the dirt airfield. Today, aviators still wear brown shoes to distinguish themselves from the rest of the Navy.

Does a black or white shirt go with a navy suit? ›

Blue Suit / Black Shirt

It works best to pair a black shirt with a mid-tone blue suit (like royal). A black shirt also works with a navy suit, but the effect is less dramatic. The more contrast you can get between colors, the better. You have far fewer tie options with this combination.

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