A navy blue dress has a naval name, because the National Portrait Gallery says the Royal Navy introduced uniform in April 1748 in dark blue, giving rise to the term navy blue. The New Yorker described a Chanel favorite in 1932 as a navy-blue ankle-length dress with a jacket, suitable for the street. This is how to choose a navy blue dress that looks smarter than black.
Navy Blue Dress: Royal Navy Origins and Chanel's 1932 Day Dress
A color with a naval name
The National Portrait Gallery says the Royal Navy introduced uniform in April 1748, choosing dark blue and giving rise to the term navy blue. Royal Museums Greenwich says Gabrielle Chanel popularized nautical fashion in the 1920s, often wearing striped sweaters and yachting pants on the French Riviera. In an August 1932 dispatch from Paris, The New Yorker described one of Chanel's favorite looks as a navy-blue ankle-length dress with a jacket, suitable for the street. A navy blue dress has been the smart choice for nearly three hundred years.
Why navy beats black
Navy is softer than black on most skin tones, and it looks richer in daylight. It pairs with white, camel, red, pink and gold. It looks serious without looking severe. Check the shade in natural light, since a poor dye can look purple. A true navy has a hint of ink.
Cut and fabric
A wrap dress, a shirtdress, a sheath and a slip all look good in navy. Crepe, silk, linen and heavy cotton all take navy dye well. Picture her in a navy shirtdress, white sneakers and a tan trench, walking toward a conference center at 8 a.m. The look says she is prepared and also interesting.
Accessories and mixing
Pair a navy dress with tan or white shoes for a classic look. Gold jewelry warms it. Silver makes it cool. A red belt or bag adds a nautical note. Navy and black can be worn together if the navy is deep enough.
What I would skip
I would skip a navy blue dress in a shiny fabric that reads as uniform and cuts that are too boxy. A good navy dress should look like it belongs to someone with a plan.
