Fashion There's an Easy Way to Figure Out What Colors Go With Navy Blue While this shade has a history of being tricky to style, it's actually more versatile than you'd think. By Samantha Sutton Samantha Sutton Instagram Samantha is InStyle's senior fashion editor. She joined the brand in 2019 and oversees the site's fashion coverage, including trend reporting, fashion exclusives, celebrity style interviews, and Fashion Week coverage. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on November 16, 2022 @ 09:30AM Pin Share Tweet Email Right now, certain colors seem more popular than others (we're looking at you, hot pink), but one shade that never goes out of style is navy blue. It continues to be a mainstay in our wardrobe year-round, whether we're rocking a striped navy and white swimsuit by the beach or bundling up in a knit navy sweater. However, despite this neutral being such a classic, deciding what colors go with navy blue can sometimes feel tricky. The Rules Have Changed for What Colors Go With Brown Clothes The good news is that weird fashion rules like "never wear navy with black" have become outdated, and we now know that there's only one thing to keep in mind when wearing navy clothing: this color is versatile and looks great with everything. After taking a peek at some street style inspiration, we've realized it doesn't matter. Red, pink, beige, black — mysteriously, all the colors go with navy blue. Don't believe us? Here are a few great navy outfit ideas to prove it. Getty Images Navy Blue and White Getty Images It's one of the most popular pairings out there — crisp, clean, and super sleek. Why Not Try … A structured navy blazer over a white top or a navy sweatshirt with a white tennis skirt. Navy Blue and Beige Getty Images These two neutrals become show-stopping when worn together. Plus, you can amp up your look with vibrant footwear or accessories. Why Not Try … A beige tank top with navy track pants. Or, style a navy sweater with khaki pants and a handful of layered necklaces. You're Probably Layering Your Necklaces Wrong Navy Blue and Black Getty Images It was once considered a faux pas, but that's no longer the case. Instead, these colors create a striking and somewhat unexpected combination. Why Not Try … An oversized navy top with black bike shorts or an all-black ensemble paired with a long navy coat. Navy Blue and Grey Melodie Jeng/Getty Images This duo always looks sharp, whether you're going casual or dressing up for the office. We recommend sticking with a lighter shade of grey to provide some contrast. Why Not Try … Breaking up your grey sweats with a navy jacket, or wear a navy vest with grey trousers. Navy Blue and Green Getty Images Navy and green feels fresh and preppy to us, likely because many plaid prints include a similar combination. Why Not Try … A printed navy and green sweater or a green suit styled with a navy top. Navy Blue and Brown Getty Images Don't forget the power of these two neutral colors. Plus, should you be stumped when it comes to shoe choice, brown footwear is a winner when completing a navy outfit. Why Not Try … A navy dress (or denim navy dress) with the addition of a brown bag or boots. Navy Blue and Red Getty Images While somewhat nautical or patriotic, a little bit of red will magically make blues seem even brighter. Why Not Try … A red jacket over a navy top or a red dress with a navy hat. Tomato Soup Red Is the Shockingly Bright Color Trend That's Suddenly Everywhere Navy Blue and Yellow Getty Images Yellow tends to pop when styled with almost any color, but against a darker shade, it'll really wow. Why Not Try … A navy dress with a yellow bag or a navy sweatshirt with yellow cargo pants. Navy Blue and Pink Getty Images Reach for vibrant shades, such as Barbie pink, which will really shine against this dark neutral. Why Not Try … A pink jacket over a navy dress — or a navy jacket over a pink dress. Navy Blue and Orange Getty Images Technically, orange is the opposite of blue on the color wheel, so when styled together, they make quite the impact. Why Not Try … An orange turtleneck under a navy jacket or even a sleeveless dress. When things heat up, try styling navy shorts with a bright orange corset top. 9 Ways to Wear a Corset Top Navy Blue and Baby Blue Getty Images Add interest to your navy blue outfit by incorporating items in a lighter shade of blue. The colorblocked outfit will feel fashion-forward, but at the same time, come across as easy, effortless, cool, and kind of calming to look at. Why Not Try … A navy suit with a baby blue T-shirt or a light blue dress with knee-high navy blue boots. Navy Blue and Navy Blue Getty Images When all else fails, going monochromatic is an easy outfit choice. The colors don't have be an exact match — nything in the same color family will still come across as sleek and intentional. Why Not Try … A coordinating navy set with sneakers that include navy details or a navy with a chunky navy cardigan.