What Colour Goes with Navy Blue?

What colour goes with navy blue? White, cream, beige, camel, grey and brown are the easiest, because they let dark blue stand out calmly and clearly. Burgundy, rose and yellow also go with navy, and even black is not off limits when the difference is easy to see.

Dark blue, also called navy or marine, is a deep, calm shade that takes the place of black in many outfits. Many people wonder what to wear with a dark blue jacket, a navy jumper or dark blue trousers. Here you will find which colours go with navy, whether navy and black go together, how to wear dark blue in autumn and winter and which three outfits you can put together quickly.

What colour goes with navy blue? The simple basic rule

Navy is dark, but softer than black. That is why it works with light and warm partners alike. Three rules help you:

One navy piece. A dark blue piece forms the base of the outfit, for example a jacket, trousers or jumper.
One light colour. White, cream or beige bring light to the dark blue.
One warm shade. Camel, brown or cognac make the cool blue warmer.

How to combine blue in general is covered in the guide What Colour Goes with Blue. An overview of more colours is in the guide Colour Combinations for Clothes.

Dark blue, marine or navy: what is the difference?

Dark blue is the umbrella term for all deep shades of blue. Marine or marine blue is the classic dark blue. Navy is the English name for it and usually means the same shade. Midnight blue is even darker and sits closest to black.

The tips in this guide apply to all of these shades. The darker the blue, the more room there is for light partners and the more important a clear difference from black becomes.

Combining navy with white, cream, beige and camel

White and cream. Navy with white is a clear, fresh contrast. Cream makes the transition softer. A dark blue jumper with cream trousers or a navy jacket with a white top is quickly put together. You can find a selection in the clothes in white.

Beige. The sandy shade takes the severity out of the deep blue. Beige trousers with a dark blue top or a beige jumper with dark blue trousers work almost every time in everyday life. You can find a selection in the clothes in beige.

Camel. Camel is the warmer version of beige. A camel coat over a dark blue knit jumper is a classic for colder days.

Do navy and black go together?

Yes, when the difference is easy to see. Navy and black were long seen as a difficult combination, because both shades are dark and easily blend into each other. There are three simple ways:

With a light colour in between. A white or cream piece between the two shades separates them visibly.
With texture. A chunky knit jumper in navy with smooth black trousers shows that the difference is deliberate.
With accessories. Black shoes or a black bag with a dark blue outfit are the quietest way in.

More about black is in the guide What Colour Goes with Black.

Combining navy with grey, brown, burgundy, rose and yellow

Grey. Grey is a cool colour, just like navy. Light grey keeps the outfit fresh, charcoal sits very close to navy and stays calm. More about all shades of grey is in the guide What Colour Goes with Grey.

Brown. Navy and brown are a duo with a long tradition. Chocolate brown, cognac and camel give the cool blue warmth. More about brown is in the guide What Colour Goes with Brown.

Burgundy. The dark wine red sits close to navy in tone and gives the outfit depth. More partner colours are named in the guide Combining Burgundy.

Rose and yellow. One piece in soft rose makes navy softer. Yellow, by contrast, sets a strong accent, best in a single piece such as a scarf or a top.

Navy in autumn and winter: jacket, jumper, trousers and skirt

Navy jacket. A jacket in navy goes with cream, beige, white and grey. The top underneath stays light, and shoes in brown or white go with it. The checked jacket in dark blue and white shows how a pattern joins both colours in one piece: cream, beige and brown boots go with it.

Navy jumper. It goes with trousers in beige, white, grey or brown. A white blouse with a collar peeks out underneath, and a coat in camel or grey goes on top.

Navy trousers. Tops in white, cream, beige or soft rose go with navy trousers. Shoes in brown or white keep the look calm.

Navy skirt. A skirt in navy can be worn with a light top and brown boots.

Dark blue in autumn and winter. Dark blue is a calm alternative to black. Soft fabrics such as knitwear, warm partners such as camel, brown and burgundy and a light top underneath keep the outfit friendly.

Three outfits with navy

Light and clear. Dark blue jumper, white trousers, white trainers and a small bag in beige. Dark blue and white make the contrast, beige ties both together.

Warm and soft. Navy knit jumper, trousers in camel, brown ankle boots and a coat in beige. The shades sit close together and stay calm.

With check. Checked jacket in dark blue and white, cream skirt and brown boots. The check brings the pattern, the rest stays light and brown.

Matching items in the shop: checked jackets and clothes in burgundy.