What colours go with navy blue? Almost all of them, which is why navy is the most useful colour in a wardrobe. It’s dark enough to be smart, soft enough to wear with brown or black, and it flatters every skin tone. White, grey, beige, brown, burgundy, olive, pink and mustard all work with it. The only pairings that need care are black and other dark blues. This guide answers what colours go with navy blue in detail, with twelve combinations ranked from safest to boldest, what to wear with a navy suit, blazer, trousers, jumper and coat, which shoes go with navy, and how to use navy for boys and kids, where it’s the base of most school and occasion clothes.
What colours go with navy blue? The quick answer
| Colour | With navy | Best used as |
|---|---|---|
| White | Perfect | Shirts, T-shirts, trainers |
| Light blue | Perfect | Shirts |
| Grey | Excellent | Trousers, knitwear |
| Beige and stone | Excellent | Chinos, coats |
| Brown and tan | Excellent | Shoes, belts, jackets |
| Burgundy | Excellent | Knitwear, ties, scarves |
| Olive | Very good | Jackets, chinos |
| Pink | Very good | Shirts, knitwear |
| Mustard | Good | Knitwear, accents |
| Red | Good, in small amounts | Accents |
| Cream | Excellent | Knitwear, trousers |
| Black | With care | Shoes, roll necks |
Why navy goes with so much
- It’s a dark neutral, so it behaves like black with more warmth.
- Its opposite on the colour wheel is orange, so browns, tans and rusts flatter it.
- It has depth, which makes light colours look crisp beside it.
- It suits every complexion.
For the principles, see colour combinations for clothes.
12 colour combinations with navy
1. Navy and white
The cleanest pairing there is. A navy blazer with a white shirt, or a navy jumper with white trainers.
2. Navy and light blue
Tonal and foolproof. A navy suit with a light-blue shirt is the standard for business.
3. Navy and grey
Two cool neutrals. Navy jacket with grey flannel trousers, or a grey jacket with navy chinos.
4. Navy and beige
Relaxed and summery. A navy polo with stone chinos, or a beige coat over navy tailoring.
5. Navy and brown
Warm against cool. Brown shoes, belts and suede jackets all look richer next to navy.
6. Navy and cream
Softer than white, and good in winter: a cream roll neck under a navy coat.
7. Navy and burgundy
Rich and smart. A burgundy tie or jumper with a navy suit.
8. Navy and olive
Two muted, outdoorsy colours. An olive field jacket over a navy jumper.
9. Navy and pink
Fresh and flattering. A pale-pink shirt with a navy blazer.
10. Navy and camel
A camel coat over navy is one of the best winter combinations.
11. Navy and mustard
Autumnal, with real contrast. Use mustard for a jumper or scarf.
12. Navy and red
Bold. Keep red to a tie, a scarf or a stripe.
What to wear with navy, piece by piece
A navy suit
| Shirt | Tie | Shoes | Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Burgundy or navy | Black Oxfords | Formal business, weddings |
| Light blue | Navy or dark red | Dark brown Oxfords | Business |
| Pale pink | Navy | Brown brogues | Spring events |
| White, open collar | None | Brown loafers | Smart casual |
| Black roll neck | None | Black boots | Evening |
A navy blazer
Grey flannel trousers are the classic partner. Stone chinos, white jeans, cream trousers and mid-blue jeans all work. Avoid navy trousers in a different shade, which look like a failed suit.
- Navy blazer Jacket
- Light-blue Oxford shirt Shirt
- Mid-grey flannel trousers Trousers
- Brown suede loafers Shoes
Navy trousers or chinos
On top: white, light blue, grey, cream, pink, burgundy, olive, a striped top or a camel jacket. A brown or tan belt and shoes complete it.
A navy jumper
With grey trousers, beige chinos, blue jeans, white jeans or olive trousers. A white or light-blue collar underneath adds contrast near the face.
A navy coat
Over almost anything: grey, camel, cream, brown, denim and black. A burgundy or camel scarf lifts it.
Navy and denim
Navy with mid-blue or light-wash jeans works because the shades differ clearly. Dark indigo jeans with a navy top can look like a mismatch, so add a white T-shirt or a brown layer between them.
What colour shoes go with navy?
| Shoe colour | With navy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dark brown | Excellent | The classic choice for suits and chinos |
| Tan or light brown | Very good | More casual, best by day |
| Burgundy | Excellent | Smart and distinctive |
| Black | Good | The most formal option |
| White trainers | Excellent | For casual and smart-casual outfits |
| Navy | With care | Suede in a clearly different shade |
Match the belt to the shoes. See how to match belt and shoes.
Navy with black, and navy with blue
- Navy and black can look like you dressed in the dark. To make it deliberate, keep the navy clearly blue, vary the textures (a navy wool jacket over a black knit) and wear black shoes.
- Navy with other blues works when the shades are a few steps apart: navy with sky blue, or navy with mid-blue denim. Two near-identical navies look like a mistake.
Colours to avoid with navy
Very few.
- Dark brown trousers with a navy jacket can look heavy. Go lighter.
- Bright orange in large areas. Use rust or tan.
- Dark purple and dark green in equal amounts, which turn muddy.
- Another navy in a slightly different shade.
Navy by season
- Spring: navy with pink, light blue, stone and white.
- Summer: navy with white, cream, sky blue and tan. Navy linen with white trousers is a Riviera classic.
- Autumn: navy with olive, mustard, rust, brown and burgundy.
- Winter: navy with grey, camel, cream and burgundy.
See spring, autumn and winter outfit ideas.
Navy in European style
Navy is the base colour of French dressing: the blazer, the striped jersey, the work jacket and the wool coat. Italians pair it with brown and cream, the British with grey flannel and burgundy, and Scandinavians with grey and white. See our guides to French fashion and Italian fashion.
Navy for boys and kids
Navy is the most practical colour in children’s clothes. It hides marks, and it goes with everything else in the drawer.
- School: navy trousers or jumpers with white or light-blue shirts.
- Play: navy with red, yellow, green or stripes.
- Occasions: a navy blazer with beige chinos and a white shirt suits weddings and family lunches. See our boys’ suits guide.
- Babies and toddlers: navy and white stripes, with one bright colour.
- Navy blazer Jacket
- White shirt Shirt
- Beige chinos Trousers
- Brown leather shoes Shoes
Common mistakes with navy
- Two navies that don’t match.
- Navy and black with no contrast in texture.
- A navy suit with a navy shirt and navy tie, which removes all definition.
- Faded navy. It loses its depth, so wash dark clothes inside out in cool water.
Frequently asked questions
White, light blue, grey, beige, cream, brown, tan, burgundy, olive, pink, mustard and camel all go with navy. Black and other dark blues need care.
Grey flannel trousers are the classic choice. Stone or beige chinos, cream trousers, white jeans and mid-blue jeans also work.
White and light blue are the safest. Pale pink, a fine stripe or a small check add interest.
Dark brown, tan and burgundy all flatter navy. Black is the most formal option, and white trainers suit casual outfits.
Yes, if it looks intentional. Keep the navy clearly blue, vary the textures and add black shoes.
Very well. Blue and brown sit on opposite sides of the colour wheel, so brown shoes, belts and jackets look richer beside navy.
White, cream, sky blue, pale pink, tan and stone.
