Black, white, and navy are three classic colors that never really go out of style. They are versatile, timeless, and easy to pair together in outfits. But do they actually go well as a color combination? Let’s take a closer look at whether or not black, white, and navy work well together.
The Basics of Black, White, and Navy
First, let’s review the basics of each color:
- Black is a neutral that goes with everything. It has a sleek, elegant look and can be dressed up or down easily.
- White is also a neutral. It is crisp, clean, and fresh. White works great in summer outfits.
- Navy is a darker blue tone that is easy to wear. It has a nautical feel but also looks great in business attire.
Individually, they are flexible colors that are easy to incorporate into wardrobes. But what about combining all three of them together? Let’s analyze that next.
Do Black, White, and Navy Work Together?
When styled well, black, white, and navy can make for very chic, sophisticated looks. Here are some of the advantages of pairing them together:
- Contrast – The interplay between the light and dark shades creates an eye-catching contrast.
- Classic – They evoke timeless, traditional style combinations that always stay in fashion.
- Polished – The color trio has an elegant, refined look perfect for the office or formal occasions.
- Balanced – No color overwhelms, as the neutral black and white balance out the pop of navy.
However, there are also a few potential disadvantages to be aware of when combining black, white, and navy:
- Dull – If not styled properly, the color scheme can look boring or dated.
- Stark – With lots of black and white, the look can seem cold or harsh if navy doesn’t add enough color.
- Matchy-matchy – It’s easy to look like you tried too hard to match these colors if the proportions are off.
Overall though, black, white, and navy tend to complement each other beautifully. The key is getting the right balance through styling.
How to Style Black, White, and Navy
Here are some tips for stylishly wearing these three colors together:
- Pair a white top with a navy blazer and black pants or skirt for the office.
- Wear a black and white patterned blouse with navy trousers.
- Throw on a navy cardigan over a black and white dress.
- Match a navy sweater with black jeans and white sneakers for a weekend look.
- Layer a white button-down under a navy suit with black oxfords for a menswear vibe.
When coordinating the colors, it helps to have one of them dominate. For example, mainly navy pieces with pops of black and white accessories or a white dress outfitted with navy and black shoes and bag. Don’t be afraid to incorporate other accent colors too like red or metallic silver to liven things up.
10 Outfit Examples with Black, White, and Navy
Here are 10 full outfit examples that demonstrate how to effectively style black, white, and navy:
| Look | Breakdown |
|---|---|
| Navy blazer, white button-down shirt, black trousers, black oxfords | Classic menswear vibe perfect for the office |
| Black turtleneck, A-line navy skirt, white mule heels | Chic mix of casual and dressy pieces |
| Navy suit, black heels, white bag | Monochromatic suiting look |
| Striped black and white tee, navy jumper, black jeans, white sneakers | Weekend casual with pops of color |
| Black dress, navy blazer, white handbag | Dressy look for a night out |
| Navy sweater dress, black tights, white ankle boots | Cozy cold weather outfit |
| White sundress, navy kimono, black sandals | Breezy summer look |
| Navy trousers, black and white stripe top, black loafers | Nautical vibe for casual Friday |
| Black trousers, white button-down, navy blazer | Crisp mix of business and stylish |
| White tee, navy cardigan, black jeans, white sneakers | Relaxed weekend wear |
You can see how easy it is to create a variety of chic looks pairing black, white, and navy pieces. Use classic silhouettes in on-trend proportions to keep the combinations from feeling dated.
Do’s and Don’ts
To recap, here are some do’s and don’ts for combining black, white, and navy:
Do:
- Balance the colors – Don’t let one dominate unless that’s the intention.
- Add metallic or bright accent pieces to liven things up.
- Play with mixing patterns and textures like stripes, florals, leather, suede, etc.
- Make navy the star color for a nautical vibe.
Don’t:
- Wear head to toe black, white, and navy without other accent colors.
- Style the colors in the same proportions in each outfit (e.g. white top, navy bottom, black shoes every time).
- Go overboard matching black, white, and navy prints.
- Stick to safe, boring silhouettes. Have fun with trendy shapes and proportions.
Conclusion
Black, white, and navy is a timeless color combination that can look incredibly stylish when executed properly. The key is ensuring you have the right balance of each color and incorporating other accents and silhouettes to keep the looks interesting. Avoid being matchy-matchy with the scheme. With the right styling, you can easily nail chic, sophisticated outfits in black, white, and navy for day or night.
