What goes with navy trousers

Why it behaves the way it does

Navy is dark and low in brightness, so most colours sit on it as they would on black. The blue is still there, and it appears when navy meets another dark colour. Beside charcoal or black, the two read as a near match that did not quite work. Beside anything clearly lighter, the blue simply looks calm.

More about this colour

What to wear with it

White, cream and pale bluePhysical mechanism

A large step in lightness gives a clear, sharp outfit. White is crispest. Cream softens it. Pale blue stays in the same hue family, which is why it is such a common office pairing.

Burgundy, rust and mustardPhysical mechanism

Warm colours gain from the cool blue beside them. These are strong enough to be the outfit's point, so the rest can stay quiet.

Grey and camel knitwearColourwise guidance

Mid-tone neutrals keep a smart outfit relaxed. Camel adds warmth, and grey keeps everything cool.

Black and charcoalColourwise guidance

These are the difficult ones. They can work, but you need a clear difference in texture, for example a matt knit above a smooth trouser, so the pairing looks chosen.

Shoes

Brown is the easiest match, because warm leather sits comfortably against the blue. Dark brown is the most formal version, and tan is the most relaxed. Black works in strict business dress. White trainers suit a casual cut, as long as the trouser is not sharply tailored.

What usually goes wrong

• A navy top very close in depth to the trouser, which reads as a mismatched suit.
• A navy jacket that nearly matches the trouser, for the same reason.
• Assuming a colour bought under shop lights will behave the same in daylight, where navy and black separate far more clearly.

Check it against your own clothes

Related guides

• Neutrals in clothing
• Shoe colours
• Colour at work
• What goes with this?