The 4 Best Shirts To Wear With A Navy Suit

A Navy suit is a classic piece of menswear and something that’s ideal for office wear, formal events and more. How you wear it is up to you, but if you’re stuck on the best suit combinations then we’ve got some suggestions on what shirts go best with this versatile suit.

The White Long Sleeve Shirt

If you’re unsure about what colour goes with navy blue, you can never go wrong with white. For that reason, the white shirt ranks number one in the four best shirts to wear with a navy suit. It’s a classic, effortlessly flattering combination that you really can’t mess up. Keep the look traditional and match it up with a tie and formal accessories, or create a more relaxed, modern look with a pair of white leather trainers.

PHOTO CREDIT: Trendencias Hombre

It also helps if you’re wondering what colour tie to wear with a blue suit, as white is such a neutral colour that even if you pick a bright colour to match with it, it won’t look out of place. A subtle burst of colour like this is perfect for the office and business meetings, where you want to subtly stand out, but not look like you’re trying too hard.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

The Pale Blue Shirt

A pale blue shirt is another classic in men’s clothing. With its versatility and cool tone finish it’s the perfect alternative to a white shirt, and can be worn with everything from jeans to an elegantly tailored suit. The clash of blue and navy might seem like a mistake, but it’s a combination that works surprisingly well, creating a softer look than a traditional white shirt, yet still offering enough of a contrast to maintain a structured finish.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

The Light Pink Shirt

Not a colour that’s embraced by a lot of men, but one that really needs more love in the world. Give this ‘feminine’ colour a go and pair it with your navy suit for a neat contrast in colours. The deep navy will look crisp against the light, pastel tone and create a clean, soft contrast. This is ideal if you want to look smart and put together, but don’t want something overly formal.

PHOTO CREDIT: Wannabee Men

The Grey Shirt

If you’re looking for an alternative to the classic white long sleeved shirt, why not try pairing your navy suit with a less traditional grey shirt? With a less striking contrast between the two colours, the overall look is softened but still maintains an elegant vibe. As you’re pairing two fairly muted colours together, it’s a good idea to keep your accessories similarly toned. This keeps the outfit sleek and unified, without any clashing colours.

PHOTO CREDIT: Dappered

How A Suit Should Fit

The best way to make sure your navy suit fits perfectly is to make an appointment with a tailor. This is the best possible solution and also the most difficult. Not only can tailors be expensive, but it’s not exactly something you can fit into your lunch break. To save you some time and money we’ve created an easy guide on how a suit should fit, ensuring you always look well dressed and on the ball.

Quick Rules on How to Wear a Suit

Details make all the difference to a suit, so here are some essential points to keep in mind when you’re wearing any colour suit:

• If you’re wearing your suit for the first time, remember to cut the threads on the back vent and the pockets!
• Make sure that the shirt you’re gonna wear with your suit fits you properly. If you think that the suit itself is going to hide the fact that your shirt is too big or small, think again.
• Your shirt sleeves should peek out a little past your suit sleeves, creating a thin line of colour when you move your arm.
• If you’re wearing a tie pin make sure it ends in the middle of your tie.
• If you’re wearing something stand out, like a pinstripe suit, don’t go overboard with your accessories, and if you want to wear cufflinks keep them plain and discreet.
• Make sure your tie doesn’t show from the back or sides of your collar. It’s either your shirt or your tie but whatever the issue is, don’t leave the house without fixing it.

The Must-Have Navy Suits

Now that you know everything about how your navy suit should fit and what shirts to pair it with, let’s have a quick look at the essential navy suits you should definitely own. It’s time to use navy’s versatility to its fullest with these essential shades and models.

The Dark Navy Suit

Having a reliable dark navy suit is absolutely essential. It’s a no-brainer for the office and great for a classy dinner and drinks scenario after work. Team up your suit with a white shirt or a grey roll neck or turtle neck jumper for colder seasons. Complete your look with a pair of tan Derby shoes and you’re good to go.

PHOTO CREDIT: DHGate

The Light Blue Suit

If you’re looking for a brighter colour combination, a lighter shade of navy is something you should think about. You can pair this suit with a white crisp shirt or a pastel blue shirt for the perfect tone-on-tone effect. Finish off your outfit with a pair of tassel loafers to keep the look crisp yet not overly formal.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

The Navy Pinstriped Suit

A navy pinstriped suit is ideal if you want to create a more textured, intricate look, or you just want to channel those elegant gangster vibes. Obviously, the striped pattern is the showstopper here so make sure you don’t give it too much competition with a patterned or brightly coloured shirt. A simple white shirt will work perfectly and keep things sleek and sharp.

PHOTO CREDIT: The Nordic Fit

History

The navy blue men’s suit received its name from the British Royal Navy in 1748, when British officers were required to wear a dark blue uniform with a contrasting white shirt. This dark, almost black, shade of blue was known as marine blue.

The term ‘Navy Blue’ was invented in England in the 1840’s, and people have carried on using it up until this very day. Today, the navy blue suit remains a classic nautical symbol, as it’s often worn by yachtsmen. By the early 19th century, different navies around the world started copying the stylish British Royal Navy and adopted the navy blue for their own uniforms.

PHOTO CREDIT: G B Stamps

The navy blue remained to have a military meaning all the way into the late 1800’s, but during the American Civil War, it became the defining colour of the Union soldiers who were fighting the Confederate States of America. Then, at the turn of the Victorian times, the navy blue men’s blazer became more of a fashion statement. A well-dressed gentleman would often adorn their blazer with brass buttons for sporting, sailing and casual activities.

Throughout the 20th century the navy blue men’s suit continued to make a name for itself in every gentleman’s wardrobe. Today, it’s one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in a man’s style.

The 4 Best Shirts To Wear With A Navy Suit

• A white shirt is a classic piece and perfect with a navy suit
• A pale blue shirt is great for more relaxed, less conventional looks.
• A pink shirt gives off a neat, preppy style that’s great for more casual looks.
• For a less striking contrast try pairing a grey shirt instead of a white one with your navy suit.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

On That Note

From the English Royal Navy, to the Union officer’s uniform, the modern navy suit stands tall in the 21st century of men’s clothing. With its incredible versatility, the navy suit can adapt to almost any style or fashion preferences, and go with a surprisingly high number of shirts, from soft pastel pinks, to subdued greys and blues.

Source: IdleMan