Choosing the right shirt color to pair with navy blue pants can seem tricky. Navy blue is a versatile neutral color that can work with many different shades, so the possibilities may feel endless. However, there are a few key factors to consider that can help narrow down your best options. In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose a shirt color for navy blue pants based on your skin tone, the formality of the occasion, color theory principles like complementary colors, and popular stylish pairings. With the right guidelines, you’ll feel confident selecting a shirt that perfectly complements your navy blue pants.
Consider Your Skin Tone
The first step is to think about your skin tone and which colors tend to be most flattering. Are you fair skinned with a cooler undertone? Do you have medium warm toned skin? Or does your complexion have golden olive undertones? The answers to these questions can help steer you towards shirt colors that will enhance your natural coloring.
Fair, cool toned skin often looks best in lighter cool colors like soft grays, light blues and Lavenders. Someone with a medium warm skin tone can pull off jewel tones like ruby red, emerald green and bright blue more easily. Olive skin with golden undertones tends to glow when paired with other warm earthy hues like mustard yellow, brick red and mossy green.
Once you have a general idea of what temperature and intensity of colors work for your skin, you can begin narrowing down shirt options. Aim for colors in that family that will complement both your complexion and the navy blue pants.
Consider the Formality
The formality of the occasion where you’ll be wearing the navy pants outfit also helps dictate what shirt color looks most appropriate.
For formal business settings, light blue dress shirts are a foolproof choice. Their crisp, cool tone compliments navy blue perfectly while staying professional. Alternatively, a white dress shirt provides a classic, elegant look. For important daytime business events outdoors, a sky blue or slate gray shirt can add a subtle touch of color while remaining refined.
In casual office environments, pair navy pants with more playful pastel or jewel-toned shirts in colors like soft pink, mint green, pale yellow or purple. Avoid shirts with busy prints or distracting patterns that look too loud or informal for work.
For evenings out or weekend casual wear, feel free to experiment with navy pants and shirts in whimsical bold prints and bright colors like red, green, orange and others that add personality. Just take care that the patterns don’t clash. Stick to solids or subtle prints on one item and bolder prints on the other for balance.
Consider Complementary Colors
Another way to select a shirt color for navy pants is to use the color wheel and principles of complementary colors. Navy contains undertones of blue as a primary color and red as a secondary color.
To find complementary colors, look directly across the color wheel from the primary color. Blue’s complements are orange, peach and mustard yellow. These warm, energetic tones contrast beautifully with the depth of navy blue. Reds orange undertone also complements the red secondary color in navy.
Next to blue on the color wheel are greens and purples. While these don’t exactly complement navy, they are considered analogous colors that harmonize well together due to their proximity on the color wheel. So green and purple shirts can work great with navy pants.
Between complementary colors lie intermediate colors you can also test out. Red-orange, yellow-orange and yellow-green are examples of options to try that pair nicely with navy pants.
| Primary Color | Complementary Color Options |
|---|---|
| Blue | Orange, Peach, Mustard Yellow |
| Red | Green |
Popular Color Pairings
Some colors pair so seamlessly with navy pants that they have become go-to combinations. While many options can work, sticking with these stylish pretrained pairings are a safe bet.
Light or heather gray shirts have a sophisticated preppy look with navy pants. The neutral gray acts as a canvas that allows the navy blue to really pop. For variety, try a gray shirt in a darker charcoal shade.
White shirts and navy pants evoke nautical references of sailors and yacht clubs. Crisp white keeps the outfit light while anchored by the deep blue pants.
Pink shirts in both light and bright shades add femininity and confidence to navy pants. Soft blush pink is romantic and charming. Bold fuchsia makes a vibrant style statement.
Red and navy blue is a dynamic duo of two primaries that complement each other on the color wheel. Navy pants allow red shirts across the spectrum from maroon to crimson stand out.
Forest green shirts offer an earthy feel with navy pants. As an analoguous color, green relates harmoniously to navy’s blue tones. Dark green shirts with navy pants exude an Ivy league sensibility.
| Shirt Color | Pairing Style & Vibe |
|---|---|
| Gray | Sophisticated preppy |
| White | Nautical, crisp |
| Pink | Feminine, romantic |
| Red | Dynamic, vibrant |
| Green | Earthy, Ivy league |
Tips for Perfect Pairing
Once you’ve selected a shirt to match with your navy pants, keep these tips in mind:
-Stick to solid shirts or subtle patterns without strong clashes to let the navy pants stand out. Busy, mismatched prints can look chaotic.
-Balance the lightness and darkness of the navy pants and shirt. Pairing dark navy pants with a very pale shirt can look unbalanced.
-Choose shirt and pant colors with similar undertones, either warm or cool shades. Mixing opposing undertones can make the outfit disjointed.
-Consider texture contrasts between the top and bottom. For example, pair a smooth silky shirt with textured navy pants.
-Aim for harmony rather than an overly matchy-matchy look. Having some contrast adds visual interest.
-Confidently wear colors that you feel good in rather than strictly following color guidelines. Personal style preferences matter most.
Conclusion
With so many potential shirt colors to choose from, pairing one with navy pants may seem like an impossible decision. However, keeping your own coloring, skin tone and the formality of the event in mind helps narrow the possibilities. Sticking to complementary colors, stylish pretrained pairings and proper color combinations ensures a fashionable, cohesive look. Remember that wearing colors you feel confidently beautiful in tops any style rules. Use this guidance to discover new shirt and navy pant combinations that enhance your personal flair. Stay stylish!
