Navy with Brown and Navy with Black

NICE: Brown and Navy

Navy double breasted blazer with thin brown stripe purchased
 at Holt Renfrew, Calgary.
Photo by JoyD.

Placing these two colour combinations together is not a typical choice but a good while back I had the good fortune to buy a navy blazer that had a subtle brownish vertical stripe. In the photograph, that brown stripe is barely noticeable but when I complemented it with a brown cowl-neck top, it seemed perfect. (Speaking of photographs, the wall is supposed to be the white on the left. Photography is all about capturing the light and PhotoShop.) I have avoided buying brown for a very long time. As a brunette I never felt it did much for me; however this particular combination proved me wrong. I still would not buy a complete brown ensemble but there is room in my closet for brown boots, brown shoes, a brown skirt and my brown cowl neck top to be worn with navy of course or black.

NICE: Black and Navy

Sandro black tuxedo blazer with navy and black
geometric patterned body. Purchased at Sandro,
outlet mall in Romans-sur-Isere, France.
Photo by JoyD.

Before I left France, I was at a Sandro store where I purchased a navy and black blazer. Over the holiday season I probably wore it more often than perhaps I should have. It just seems to fit so many different situations, from lunch to dinner out to meeting a friend. The tuxedo styling allows dressing it up with a little black dress or a little navy dress. I have done both. The double breasted blazer in brown and navy is much more work style than going out style. However, topping skinny blue jeans with either blazer is an option for a less formal situation. 

The whole idea of wearing a base colour, either black, brown or navy, which are all neutrals, still is a strong part of our thinking when we plan our closets, especially for business wear. What is important is that now we can wear them together. Black and brown, black and navy, brown and navy are all allowed. Add grey and camel, another two neutrals, and all can be combined. But here I resurrect an old fashion rule - only two together at a time. I find that putting a bright primary colour with two of the neutrals is quite enough. But of course, there are always exceptions.