Pants have almost always been an essential part of every man’s wardrobe, and they are available in so many styles, patterns, fits, and colors, making them ideal for any event. If you like to play it safe with classic and neutral hues suited for any occasion, you’ll definitely have a pair or two of navy blue trousers.
But even pulling off such an understated hue as navy blue requires some thought and careful planning so your colors don’t clash. It might be difficult to figure out how to match a shirt with navy blue pants on laundry day when your first pick is out for the count. Although a man’s wardrobe is sometimes limited in variety, putting together the appropriate ensemble can still be accomplished by understanding the basics of contrast and color combination.
So, what color shirt should I pair with navy pants? There are many different colors and patterns you can pair with solid navy blue pants. If you want to keep it simple, you can choose neutrals such as grays, pastels, and whites. However, if you want to stand out, contrasting colors like red, yellow, light pink, or purple will make a stylish statement.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to choose the right color shirt to pair with navy trousers, as well as some stylistic suggestions.
Colored Shirts To Wear With Navy Pants
The key to creating the ideal navy blue pants ensemble is to be aware of the basic guideline of contrasting colors in fashion. Because navy blue trousers are considered dark pants, it would be appropriate to match them with a light-colored shirt.
The following are our top suggestions for colors to wear with navy pants and some great ways to wear them.
Gray
Another acceptable hue to choose is gray, particularly a lighter gray, which offers a lovely contrast to dark navy blue. It’s also a pretty conservative hue, so you can dress it up or down depending on the circumstance. Gray is a very adaptable color to deal with, and the two look fantastic and modern when paired together.
Red
Red shirts paired with navy blue jeans might be a terrific choice for when you’re looking to dress more casually. You can also experiment with red patterned shirts, like pin striped shirts for a less attention-grabbing look, a red checkered shirt or flannel for a more casual appearance, or an intricately patterned shirt for something that will help you stand out from the crowd.
You can also unbutton a red dress shirt or flannel and wear a white shirt underneath to create a trendy layered look.
White
Mixing dark-colored navy blue trousers with lighter-colored shirts is almost always a successful combination. But if you’re searching for a shade that will look great no matter what shade of navy you choose, look no further.
A fresh white shirt will always look excellent, no matter the occasion. Finish the appearance with a pair of your favorite loafers that match your belt, preferably in a dark brown hue, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic ensemble.
Light Blue
Aside from wearing a white shirt with navy blue pants, wearing a fairly light blue shirt with navy is a terrific look as well. Because they are both of the same color family, choosing a lighter version of the navy is a wonderful method to generate light and dark contrast while also allowing them to function well together in a monochrome scheme.
What’s great about a light blue shirt is that you can dress it up if the situation calls for it to be professional, but you can also easily roll up the sleeves, remove the tie, and unbutton the shirt to create a more casual appearance if the situation calls for it.
Pink Or Light Pink
In seconds, you can throw on a casual outfit consisting of a pink shirt and blue slacks, which will make you appear wonderfully handsome and well-dressed. Wearing your favorite brown suede loafers will elevate this appearance to a higher level of sophistication.
Yellow
When attending a casual gathering, a light-yellow shirt combined with navy blue pants or chinos is appropriate. You can wear it with a pair of dark brown formal shoes, a watch, and a brown leather belt if you choose.
If you want a more casual style, a yellow crew neck t-shirt or a yellow polo t-shirt with navy blue jeans is a good choice for you. Put on a pair of white shoes to complete the appearance.
For those feeling a little more daring, a mustard shirt is a color that pairs well with navy since they are on opposing ends of the color wheel and create a wonderful contrast. Although it is more effective in a more informal and laid-back atmosphere than a more formal one, it can still be effective in a more formal situation if done correctly.
Mustard, rather than an obvious bright yellow or orange, works better because it is a more toned-down form of the two colors, and since it is deeper, it pairs well with navy, which is also a more toned-down version of the color blue.
Purple
Wait till you try a purple shirt with a pair of navy blue pants; you’ll be amazed at how well it goes together. An outfit consisting of a purple shirt and navy blue pants is a fun way to spice up your regular wardrobe. Finish the appearance with a pair of dark brown leather tassel loafers to complete the look.
Black
When your navy blue trousers are lighter in tone, this is a style that can work very nicely. It also has the added benefit of giving you a sleek and slimming appearance.
In particular, when combined with lighter-colored accessories, such as a lighter-colored tie or some light-colored tan shoes, this can bring an ensemble together. Although it is a more secure alternative than a white shirt, it is not safe. In other words, if you’re feeling a little more daring, go ahead and choose the black option.
Check Patterned
Check shirts are fairly vivid and not suitable for every occasion. However, they can undoubtedly complement the more business casual appearance or the smarter casual element that some people aim to achieve with their attire. Ideally, we’d go for a check shirt with a hint of blue to go with your jeans, as this would help create a beautiful overall flow to your ensemble.
In the same way, search for flannel shirts that have a small asymmetrical quality to them that is functional. Consider adding shouldering colors to your navy shirt, such as green, to give your shirt a more calm but unique appearance overall.
Once again, you can use them in the more secure alternatives. Instead of opting for a checkered pattern, you can go with a striped pattern and then consider the color possibilities available. In contrast to the multi-colored shirt mentioned above, opting for a white checkered shirt can be a safer approach.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the examples above have provided you with some ideas for which color shirts to pair with navy blue trousers, some of which are on the safe side and others which are more daring in design.
Not only that, but maybe it has provided you with some inspiration, depending on the occasion that you’re attending. Make sure not to stop at your shirt, but consider your whole ensemble, starting with the kind and color of shoes you want to wear.
For more style ideas and a visual tutorial, take a look at this awesome video from Tony Lee on YouTube.