Navy blue is a versatile neutral color that can work well with a variety of shades. As a cool toned blue, it tends to look best with other cool toned colors like blues, greens, purples, grays, and metallics. However, with the right pairings, navy blue can also complement warm tones like reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks. There are many options when considering what colors look good with navy blue.
Cool Toned Colors
Pairing navy blue with other cool tones is an easy and foolproof way to create a cohesive color palette. Cool colors like blues, greens, purples and grays naturally coordinate with the undertones of navy blue. Here are some top cool toned colors that work well with navy:
| Light Blue | Teal | Mint Green |
| Royal Blue | Turquoise | Seafoam Green |
| Periwinkle | Emerald Green | Lime Green |
| Lavender | Forest Green | Sage Green |
| Plum | Olive Green | |
| Mauve |
Light blue has an airy feel that provides contrast against the deeper navy hue. Royal blue makes navy pop when used together. Periwinkle and lavender purples give a feminine vibe with navy. Teals, turquoise, emeralds and sage greens create vibrant, nautical inspired combinations.
Grays work beautifully with navy blue to create sophisticated, neutral looks. Soft heather grays, charcoal and slate complement navy in casual and formal settings. Metallic silvers and grays also glam up navy blue.
Warm Toned Accents
While cool tones may be the most intuitive pairing, navy also pairs well with punches of warm tones. Warm accent colors like reds, oranges, yellows and pinks give energy and vibrancy against navy’s anchor. Here are some top warm toned shades that work with navy:
| Coral | Burnt Orange | Canary Yellow |
| Salmon | Terracotta | Gold |
| Red | Peach | |
| Burgundy | Nude | |
| Fuchsia | Blush Pink |
Pops of red, coral and burgundy create bold, preppy combos with navy. Orange shades like burnt orange, peach and terracotta add autumnal flair. Yellows from canary to gold make navy pop. Soft pinks and nudes lend a romantic feel.
Keep the navy as the dominant color and use the warm tones sparingly for accent. This will prevent the palette from becoming too busy or clashing.
Neutrals
Clean and simple, neutrals are easy partners for navy blue. They create refined combinations that let navy take center stage. Here are some go-to neutral shades for pairing with navy:
| White | Beige | Bronze |
| Black | Tan | Pewter |
| Gray | Camel | Gunmetal |
| Charcoal | Mocha |
White pops against navy, creating a crisp nautical aesthetic. Black and shades of gray tone navy down for sophisticated looks. Metallic bronzes, pewters and gunmetals glam up navy’s versatility. Soft neutrals like beige, tan and camel keep navy casual.
Creating Color Palettes with Navy Blue
Now that you know the main color families that work well with navy, you can start building complete color palettes. Here are some examples of popular color combinations with navy as the base:
Navy and Pink
This feminine pairing looks fresh in both bold brights and soft pastels:
– Navy, fuchsia pink, ivory
– Navy, blush pink, light blue
– Navy, salmon, light gray
Navy and Red
Red makes navy bolder and energized:
– Navy, red, white
– Navy, burgundy, light gray
– Navy, crimson, charcoal
Navy and Yellow
Yellow draws out navy’s brightness for fun combinations:
– Navy, yellow, light blue
– Navy, gold, blush pink
– Navy, canary yellow, ivory
Navy and Green
Green brings out navy’s versatility in tones from bright to muted:
– Navy, emerald green, white
– Navy, olive green, tan
– Navy, mint green, lavender
Navy and Orange
Orange gives navy extra warmth and personality:
– Navy, peach, periwinkle
– Navy, burnt orange, ivory
– Navy, terracotta, charcoal
Navy and Purple
Different purple shades make navy regal and luxurious:
– Navy, eggplant purple, light gray
– Navy, lilac purple, blush pink
– Navy, plum, bronze
Navy and Neutrals
Neutrals keep navy combinations clean and refined:
– Navy, white, light gray
– Navy, black, charcoal
– Navy, tan, ivory
Tips for Wearing Navy Blue
Beyond pairing it with coordinating colors, there are some useful tips for wearing navy blue:
– Layer navy tones in different shades for dimension
– Use navy as a neutral base and add pops of color
– Mix navy with lighter blues like powder or baby blue
– Add texture with patterns like stripes, florals and polka dots
– Incorporate metallic shoes, bags and jewelry
– Choose navy suits and dresses for versatility
– Ground brighter colors like neon with navy
– Pair it with denim for casual chic
Conclusion
With its versatility to work with both cool and warm tones, navy blue is one of the most useful colors to have in your wardrobe. It pairs beautifully with shades of blue, green, purple, pink and orange. Neutrals like white, black, gray and tan also complement navy’s depth. Use navy as an anchor and add pops of accent colors or prints to make it suit any style or occasion. With the right color combinations, you can see how navy blue looks good with practically anything.