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Problem with navy

anchie

Veteran

So here is something I finally admitted to myself, but it was long time coming. I don't enjoy wearing navy. Especially don't like wearing it in on top or as footwear. I am diligent tracker for years, and numbers don't lie. My navy blazers and my navy footwear are my least worn items. I struggle to make outfits with navy, and don't feel good in it. Dark neutral should be backbone of functional wardrobe and it should be easy to combine but it is not easy for me. I don't like navy with bright colors, contrast seems too harsh. I don't like high contrast outfits when worn with light neutrals. And all navy is just too dark and draining. Until about 5 years ago, my main dark neutral was black and I had the same issues. So I thought that problem is with the black and I slowly replaced all black with navy. But it turns out that for me navy is just slightly better then black. I admire black and navy outfits on others but feel flat and draining on me. So I am thinking, do I need another dark neutral or is it that I don't really like any dark neutral colors? Can wardrobe function without dark neutrals? I am more drawn to medium neutrals, like taupe, tan and very light browns and light neutrals like white, cream and ecru. I am currently planning my spring summer wardrobe and shopping for pants because all of my pants are too tight at the moment. And I am conflicted about getting navy pants. On one hand I am telling myself that navy pants are essentials for summer, but on the other hand I am not looking forward to buying them or wearing them. Since I am almost starting from scratch with my spring summer wardrobe, this is the right moment to decide on my color palette. Should I ditch navy?

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24 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Dee

Veteran

Interesting observations on navy. I wouldn’t add any navy just for the sake of having it since you don’t enjoy wearing it, but instead experiment with having no dark neutrals in your summer palette and build it around the medium neutrals you prefer and see how that feels for you. It may be just a question of what contrast levels you prefer wearing now.

Joy

Veteran

My problem with navy is finding navy’s that look good together.

Sisi

Veteran

I think that a wardrobe can function without dark neutrals therefore I suggest you to buy the neutrals that make you feel good. You look very well in them.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Don’t intentionally buy navy. I fully support your inclination, and believe you can do a wardrobe renewal without dark neutrals. It makes sense about it feeling too dark, too contrasting, and only slightly better than black. Navy is often annoying to me. Navy or really most solid blues irritate me when trying to match up with jeans, and I find navy summer tops -tshirts- only go with olive bottoms. I’ve never liked navy leather shoes. My two navy sweaters see very little wear. Maybe it’s because I do wear jeans a lot, and don’t personally subscribe to the column of color look.

Though we might feel a dark neutral is needed in a very business-oriented, or funeral, capsule, today it’s probably not as true as it used to be.

However, I must confess my love of navy blue lace and it would be my first choice for fancy wedding guest dress if I needed such a thing.

RobinF

Veteran

I would say don't buy navy if it doesn't make you feel good. Why do you have to have a dark neutral? Or if you do, maybe brown?

I also struggle with navy, but for me it is because it is a color instead of a neutral. So I wear it but WITH neutrals instead of AS a neutral.

slim cat

Veteran

Couple years ago dark navy linen jacket looked very draining on me - probably my last attempt at dark navy. Slightly brighter navy faux leather jacket looks pretty much perfect at the same time. I came to conclusion that the texture and slightly more bright navy blue made all the difference.
The same goes to black color on me - black is awful and charcoal is nice.

unfrumped

Veteran

I can relate. Truly dark neutrals are very draining on me as face colors. Black used to be my go-to, but I now avoid black tops and jackets except for some items where more “ skin” is showing, like a T shirt or a boatneck—so it can actually be a sometimes-color in summer, alone if layered under a lighter- colored shirt or jacket. And I have a black linen summer jacket that works because sleeves are always rolled, top is lighter, or striped or such and provides the brightening effect.

Alternatives that others might use like navy, very dark brown, very dark berry colors, are not any better. I DO wear very dark colors in long pants, though.

I’ve really moved to medium- dark colors like not- too- dark charcoal , medium blues and denim-y blues, darkened lavender, taupey colors.
I wart a lot of medium gray but do find if hard to mix grays if they’re in “heathered “ fabrics, so I collect a few items in smoother solid gray fabrics, which can be mixed with say, a gray T shirt or hoodie.

I also found that I could mix charcoal and taupe—in the right shades and depths-which is good because I have trouble with the adage, “ all neutrals go together “—-nope, they don’t, due to depths and undertones. So I’m trying to become more selective of any new item as to how versatile it will be, instead of oh, this is one of my good colors.

If the fabric is tweedy or false- plain or subtle plaid combining very dark color with bits of light color, that works to create the “ medium “ depth.

cat2

Veteran

The only reason to have a dark neutral is if your work environment expects it. I was in a business environment that expected dark suiting. Absent that, do what pleases you.

Irina

Veteran

I know it's difficult to switch color palette that served you in the past. Hope you can choose colors that please you.
I wear navy and black as my dark colors but I don't buy much specifically for summer. For me it's important to have a pair just in case it rains and I can't wear any of my light color pants. Beige, cream, ecru, khaki are the colors of my summer pants.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have a solution! Just send all your navy to me!!

Ok, so I'm obviously nuts for navy (or any blues) and unlike lots of people I have no compunction or worries about wearing "unmatching" navies together or wearing them with denim in various washes. To my eye, it works, or at least it works most of the time.

But if you prefer lighter neutrals, why buy navy? I wouldn't worry about it a bit! Your work environment won't demand it of you. You look great in light neutrals and you enjoy wearing them more. So stick to those. I think taupes or camels or tans or some similar midtones could easily become your "darks." Why not?

You also wear brights exceptionally well, so perhaps you want to go with those.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anchie, in short, FOLLOW these feelings

NO NEED to have a dark neutral in your wardrobe when you are not in the mood to wear it, and it doesn't make you happy. Stick to what does

Personally, I don't wear dark shoes at all! I almost always prefer a light, pastel, or bright shoe with my outfits. Just recently I added back an animal print because it works with the new darker hair. So high five!

Unlike you, and more like Suz, I generally LOVE navy and dark denim. I don't wear black or charcoal so it's my dark neutral. I love high contrast outfits! That said, I only like navy in VERY specific wardrobe items. My relationship with navy is a bit complex too, and I shared that in this post. I get you!

https://youlookfab.com/2023/08.....with-navy/

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I would encourage you to follow your heart and get the neutrals that you are happy to wear and that work with the colors you want to pair them with. I prefer dark olive to black or navy, and I have managed to build a substantial dark-olive capsule. It took many years, though.

I think it's common to use black, especially, but also navy, as a foundation neutral for a wardrobe, not because they look so fabulous on everyone, but because it can be pretty easy to mix them. You can get pieces that look good together to create a column of color, from season to season and year to year. It's harder to do with gray, tan, or even khaki, because there is so much variation in the shades or hues of those colors, and/or the differences are more noticeable. I'm not saying that different blacks and navies can't clash--they certainly can--but sometimes a near-match can work better with these than with lighter neutrals.

All of that said, I think you can certainly build a wardrobe around light neutrals, particularly if you go with cream. It seems to me that there are a lot of colors in the ivory-to-cream family that can work just as well together as those in the black or navy families.

Runcarla

Veteran

Ahahaha! Actually, I totally get it. I’m sitting in the airport waiting for my flight and I’m in head-to-toe navy. On the other hand, DH is like you! His navy items are the least worn of all his clothes. He looks good in the colour, but almost never reaches for it when it’s in his closet! His summer neutral is a pale grey, and his winter neutral is a darker grey. He has silver/white hair and blue eyes.

I don’t think you have to wear any colour you don’t want to (unless it’s a work uniform) so go with your feelings. Spring/summer seems to be the perfect time to lighten up, and you can always figure out fall/winter when the time comes. Baby steps as you rebuild your wardrobe.

FWIW, I have navy and black in nearly equal numbers (20ish) and hardly any white or cream items.

anchie

Veteran

Thank you for validating my feelings. I will try to build my spring /summer wardrobe around medium neutrals, but I am afraid that this will not be as easy as using navy which is much more available. And matching different shades will be another challenge. But Irina has raised very valid point- dark neutrals are practical- there are (still!) some days in a month when I prefer to wear dark bottoms - I almost forgot about that. So maybe pair of dark wash jeans and dark neutral pants will cover that need. And maybe pants can be some other dark color that goes better with my new color palette?

Jonesy

Veteran

Agreeing with everyone else, definitely don't buy navy if you don't like it and won't wear it! There are so many other versatile neutrals, as people have mentioned (e.g., all sorts of different shades of olive, tans, cognac, grays, etc.).

Brooklyn

Veteran

I don’t like navy on myself and find it a very difficult colour to mix compared to, say, black. But I agree with Irina that one pair of darker bottoms could be useful on some days. Have you thought about dark olive? It’s usually very available and you can get versions that either lean more grey (cool), or brown (warm), depending on your preference.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely don't buy navy since you won't wear it anyway. Yes to considering a bit of another darker color to balance out your new wardrobe of light neutrals. Basically nodding along with the excellent advice above.

BlueJay

Veteran

Don't buy navy if it isn't your thing! I like your dark burgundy that you posted!

Kate

Veteran

If you don't like dark neutrals, forget them. Life is too short to feel compelled to wear a color you don't enjoy. Wear the colors you love. Tans and creams can function perfectly well as your neutrals. I use brown (in many shades) as a neutral in winter, plus a reddish brown in summer. I also use olive a lot as a neutral. You get to wear what feels right to you!

I know what you mean about navy. A dark navy is boring and depressing. I do wear navy, but I'm picky about the shade. I only buy and wear what I call a bright navy.

I used to love and wear a lot of black. Then as I got older, I felt black was draining against my face, so I got rid of it, and substituted shades of gray, which I love and find very versatile. I very much like gray with cream. You might find a certain shade of gray is a good neutral for you, or a silvery gray or grayed lilac. Enjoy.

SW Ann

Veteran

Other than dark denim, I don't wear navy at all. I don't like how I feel in it, and I got rid of it all 30+ years ago and have not looked back. There are plenty of medium tone neutrals that can serve, as well as the light neutrals you are enjoying now. I think, as others have said, that honoring how we feel in clothing, and colors works best. Try it out for awhile, and see.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I've had the same issue, where I finally realize I don't like a "classic" item everyone has. I myself like punches and blocks of color, so I would absolutely wear black or navy pants with a white shirt and a tomato red cardigan. As long as the items are quality enough.

There are also Fabbers who are the opposite, who focus on tonal variation and texture variation, with less contrast. You can totally eliminate black and navy if you want...just have enough other neutrals.

Ginger

Veteran

Add me to the list without dark neutrals. Not even during cool seasons. I moved away from black, and like you tried to replace with navy, but many times now I don't need to reach even for that to make my outfits work. I still do use medium brown boots and navy boots occasionally. White and cream and whiskey are my preferred neutrals.

Note that I do have blue jeans and wear them 1-2 days a week during cool months. And denim shorts during the summer. Blues aren't really navy, though; darker blue to medium/light blue (especially as they fade).

Bijou

Veteran

I can understand your feelings about navy and agree that there is no need for it in your wardrobe. That said, if you can identify what specifically makes you not enjoy wearing your navy items, perhaps some will continue to work for you and not everything needs to go.

I am picky when it comes to navy, a reaction to navy school uniforms and classic business suits. I am an accountant and feel that a very traditional navy suit is too much of a stereotype and does not reflect my personality. When I wear navy, I like it to make a statement or have some texture. I have two much loved navy jackets - the reason they work for me is the velvet texture on the first and the statement sleeve on the second. I also love my navy boots because they are comfy, and I like the bow detail, small details make a difference when it comes to if and how I enjoy wearing navy.

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lyn67

Veteran

I always loved navy but found it a difficult color other than paired with white or worn itself. That's why my dark neutral is black and NOT navy! I find black so much easier than navy for me. Then should I add I also love chock brown---just too difficult and costly to find/replace my trustworthy blacks and implement for my office outfits. You can try it if anyway starting from scratch-think will work with all you mentioned here. And to answer your other question- I think a wardrobe can totally work without a dark neutral, too. You just use the other colors in all the weights for the colder seasons.

ETA. Still, a dark neutral bottom can be very usefull (and flatering:-))-if needed-but it really doesn't have to be black or navy. It can be charcoal grey, dark olive, burgundy or choc brown, too..

Oh, I never wear navy pants for summer--and more than that, it seems my neutrals for the warm season are all light (white, tan or beige). In summer I wear black more as an accent...