What Color Pants to Wear with a Navy Shirt?

As its name suggests, navy blue got its name because it was used in uniforms by the British Navy from the 18th century. Later, many other countries also adopted this color for their uniforms. Now, this color is no longer exclusive to navy. Designers widely use this color in various fashion items. Among them, navy blue shirts are a very common item.

Although navy blue also belongs to the blue family, it is a little deeper than denim blue, sky blue and aqua blue, so it requires relatively more advanced color matching skills. So in the blog today we are going to provide you with several ideas about what colors to wear with a navy shirt and what colors to avoid to help you create the most ideal navy shirt outfits.

What Colors Go with Navy?

First, let's clarify which colors go well with navy blue.

🟣Purple. Blue and purple are somewhat similar in tone, especially the darker blue like navy blue. So the combination of navy blue and purple will look very harmonious. And navy blue is a very deep color, while purple is noble and mysterious. Therefore, the combination of these two colors can fully enhance your elegant temperament, and is especially suitable for formal occasions.

⚪White. White is undoubtedly the most versatile color, and it can be combined beautifully with different colors, and navy blue is no exception. In some countries, even navy uniforms are blue and white, which further proves that the combination of the two is appropriate.

🔴Red. Especially reds with some cool tones, such as burgundy, complement navy blue very well. Red is a warm color full of passion and enthusiasm, while navy blue is a calm cool color. The two neutralize each other and can fully highlight the charm of the wearer.

🟡Gold. Although gold is not as passionate as red, it is also a very eye-catching color. Gold can also complement navy blue and enhance the nobility of your outfit. If you prefer a bolder style, pair gold pants with a navy shirt, or if you want to be more subtle, choose some gold accessories such as a gold belt and or a pair of golden earrings.

🟤Khaki. Although khaki is also a cool color, it is not as solemn as black. On the contrary, khaki can bring a relaxed atmosphere to your look. The combination of these two colors is very suitable for a variety of casual occasions.

🟢Green. Just like navy blue reminds you of the ocean, green is a color that is very close to nature. You can add a touch of natural and fresh sense to your navy shirt outfit by choosing green pants that resemble sprouts.

What Colors to Avoid with Navy?

With so many colors going well with navy blue, there are bound to be some that don’t look good with it. These are the colors we need to avoid when wearing a navy blue shirt.

🟠Orange. Even among warm colors, orange is a very bright and visually impactful color. But it does not bring a noble temperament like gold. So for the most part, orange will clash with navy blue, leading to a disharmonious effect.

🟡Earthy yellow. Like navy blue, earthy yellow is also a kind of dark color. Therefore, if you choose a pair of khaki pants to pair with a navy blue shirt, the overall look will not have any highlights and will easily appear dull, turbid, and lack vitality.

🟢Fluorescent green. While most shades of green pair well with navy, fluorescent green is a notable exception. More specifically, all fluorescent colors are difficult to match. Fluorescent yellow and green are especially difficult.

⚫Black and grey. Black and gray are both neutral colors that can be matched with most colors, so they won't look bad when paired with navy blue. However, they are also relatively dark colors, and pairing them with navy blue will also make your overall look lack highlights and easily give people a feeling of depression, monotony, and dullness.

Of course, the choice and matching of colors depends on many factors, including your skin color, hair color, and favorite colors. Generally speaking, colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel are more harmonious and unified when paired together, creating a soft and comfortable visual effect. Opposite colors are complementary colors, which will produce a strong visual impact when paired together. If used properly, they can create a lively and eye-catching effect, but if they are not paired properly, they will look very abrupt. In addition, the color matching should match the individual and style. People with lively personalities can choose bright colors and strong contrasts; while people with calm personalities are more suitable for soft and understated combinations.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pair of Pants

Although our main focus of this blog is on the color of pants, there are many factors other than colors that need to be taken into consideration in order to choose the best pair of pants. To speak more specially, those factors include:

⚫Fabric. Don't ignore the wearing experience while pursuing the trend! The fabric of the pants is highly related to the wearing experience. First of all, choose soft and sweat-absorbent fabrics, such as cotton. In summer, pay attention to the breathability of the fabric, linen is a good choice. In winter, of course, pay attention to keeping warm, and choose a pair of wool or knitted pants. If you choose relatively hard fabrics such as leather and denim, you need to pay attention to the lining fabric. It should have a soft lining to be more comfortable to wear.

⚫Fit of the pants. In the process of clothing matching, the most important thing is to choose items that suit your figure shape, preferably the ones that can modify your figure flaws. Straight pants are of course the most classic, but they are probably the least creative. If you like to follow fashion trends, you may not particularly like straight pants. Then choose some more distinctive pants! For example, wide leg pants are not only chic and stylish but also can cover up the imperfect curves of your legs. Another example is flare pants, which are very suitable for creating a retro style, especially for women with thicker calves.

⚫Details. Don't ignore plenty of details. Maybe they seem insignificant, but they greatly affect your wearing experience. For example, whether a pair of high waist pants or a low waist one is more suitable for you? High waist pants can greatly enhance the waistline and make the legs look longer. However, some ladies may not like high waist pants because they will bring a foreign object sensation to their abdomen. Pockets, zippers, buttons, etc. will also affect the wearing experience and overall aesthetics. The design of pockets is not only practical, but also decorative. For example, the multi-pocket design of cargo pants can increase fashion sense and functionality. In addition, the quality of zippers and buttons is also important.

Best Navy Shirt Outfit Ideas for Women in Spring

Now is exactly the season to wear a navy blue shirt. Although we have already told you how to choose a pair of pants that match with a navy blue shirt, your overall look still needs some accessories to complete it. In this section, we will recommend some complete navy blue shirt outfits for you.

A navy shirt + a pair of white suit pants + a gold watch

This is an outfit designed for business elites. The combination of a navy blue shirt and a pair of white suit pants can create an extremely professional and calm image for you. A gold watch is the finishing touch to add highlights to your overall look. To show your capability fully, you can also add a pair of black high heels.

A navy shirt + a pair of jeans + a pair of loafers + a tote bag

Compared with the previous outfit, this one is much more casual and relaxed. But remember, it’s better to choose a lighter blue for your jeans so it can be distinguished from the navy blue shirt. Wear yours with jeans and loafers to create a relaxed and casual look while also enhancing your wearing experience. Tote bags are spacious and practical, suitable for shopping, commuting, and complementing your perfect look.

A navy shirt + a pair of white wide leg jeans + a pair of sneakers

White wide leg jeans and navy blue shirts form a classic color combination, and the wide leg pants can also modify the leg shape and add a sense of elegance and agility when walking. A pair of sneakers will give you the best wearing experience and dynamic style.

A navy shirt + a pair of black PU leather pants

If you want to create a cooler street style, then a pair of black PU leather pants is also a good choice! The fabric of the PU leather pants has a unique gloss and texture, which contrasts with the cotton of the shirt, increasing the fashion sense of the overall shape.