NOT in the navy, just trying something new
March 2, 2012 9:09 AM Subscribe
What-to-wear-with-it-Filter: Navy blue trousers. I (mid-20s male with an obvious tendency towards beanplating) just decided to shift work wardrobe into a higher gear (business casual!), and bought two fantastic pairs of washed cotton chinos. One pair is navy blue. Never worn navy blue before. Help me pair it with my existing wardrobe without looking like an off-duty sailor or Connecticotian on vacation (sorry, Connecticotians).
The pants in question are Bonobos slim-cut chinos (not as dark as they look in the picture). The fit is fantastic. I love the other pair I got, which are a dark khaki. I got the only two colors that they had because I'd heard such great things about the pants. I was a little apprehensive about getting a color I'd never worn before, and it turns out that instinct was right. The things I try with it look a little silly.
My normal work outfit used to be polo + jeans. I've now ditched the jeans for casual Dockers-type trousers, and the polos (most of the time) for button-downs. I'm fine with expanding the dress shirt collection, but I'm not sure which direction to go in. (Today, for example, I found a chunky gray sweater that I rarely wear and put it over a white-and-blue plaid button-down.)
Black seems wrong. A chocolate brown sweater I love is too dark (and will soon be too warm). White seems too uniform-y. White with pinstripes seems too "business-y" for my day-to-day academia work. Orange... well, I grew up here, so I'm not the biggest fan of the color combo outside the context of a tailgate party.
Any thoughts? Pictures for inspiration/reassurance that I wouldn't look silly?
The pants in question are Bonobos slim-cut chinos (not as dark as they look in the picture). The fit is fantastic. I love the other pair I got, which are a dark khaki. I got the only two colors that they had because I'd heard such great things about the pants. I was a little apprehensive about getting a color I'd never worn before, and it turns out that instinct was right. The things I try with it look a little silly.
My normal work outfit used to be polo + jeans. I've now ditched the jeans for casual Dockers-type trousers, and the polos (most of the time) for button-downs. I'm fine with expanding the dress shirt collection, but I'm not sure which direction to go in. (Today, for example, I found a chunky gray sweater that I rarely wear and put it over a white-and-blue plaid button-down.)
Black seems wrong. A chocolate brown sweater I love is too dark (and will soon be too warm). White seems too uniform-y. White with pinstripes seems too "business-y" for my day-to-day academia work. Orange... well, I grew up here, so I'm not the biggest fan of the color combo outside the context of a tailgate party.
Any thoughts? Pictures for inspiration/reassurance that I wouldn't look silly?
Navy pants would look great with a plain white shirt or one with a subtle pattern, or a medium to light grey sweater, or pale blue or pale green shirt, or a light taupe or camel sweater. Navy is just about the most versatile color for making work outfits there is. You can't go too wrong as long as your keep the top color medium or lighter.
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012
Green (pretty much any shade) looks great with Navy blue -- a green pullover with a white button down underneath would be very sharp.
posted by somanyamys at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by somanyamys at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I recommend solid, light-color button-front shirts (Uniqlo and H&M make good ones, if that's your thing), and to make it less stuffy looking keep the sleeves rolled up.
It's been ten years since I've lived in Connecticut, and that shit washes off, right?
posted by Jon_Evil at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012
It's been ten years since I've lived in Connecticut, and that shit washes off, right?
posted by Jon_Evil at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012
Since you're wearing one dark neutral, you should probably not wear another dark neutral (like black or dark brown.) White is a light neutral and should be fine, if possibly a bit formal, which might be putting you off. A lighter gray or tan might be good, too.
What you should look into, though, is color. Light colors, like dress shirts you'd wear with a navy suit: pink, yellow, blue, green. Or if you're more daring, go for more vibrant colors like you find Gap tees in: parrot green, bright coral, aqua, lemon yellow.
posted by Andrhia at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
What you should look into, though, is color. Light colors, like dress shirts you'd wear with a navy suit: pink, yellow, blue, green. Or if you're more daring, go for more vibrant colors like you find Gap tees in: parrot green, bright coral, aqua, lemon yellow.
posted by Andrhia at 9:19 AM on March 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
I would simply stay away from black or chocolate brown. Usually colors lighter up top looks best with navy.
posted by Falwless at 9:20 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by Falwless at 9:20 AM on March 2, 2012
Like the model on the site indicates, strong pinks can work well with navy colors; pastels in general will go well. Lighter blues are always safe. Darker brown/red colors work w/ navy but only in terms of belts/shoes/socks. If you like the slim fit of those pants try going into an express (there's one in center city) for similar wear; they've got a rainbow of solid shirt colors to pick from. Trust your eye, or ask a clerk.
If your business casual style doesn't include a tie, remember that your undershirt may be visible w/ your top button undone; you can wear a navy undershirt under a different color dress shirt (not too light or it'll show through the fabric obviously) to link your upper body dress tone to your pant tone.
(ps it's weird that we have the same name, birthdays in the same week and live in the same city)
posted by MangyCarface at 9:27 AM on March 2, 2012
If your business casual style doesn't include a tie, remember that your undershirt may be visible w/ your top button undone; you can wear a navy undershirt under a different color dress shirt (not too light or it'll show through the fabric obviously) to link your upper body dress tone to your pant tone.
(ps it's weird that we have the same name, birthdays in the same week and live in the same city)
posted by MangyCarface at 9:27 AM on March 2, 2012
Response by poster: MC: Weird indeed. Most of my dress shirts are Express, actually, and I've been playing with the color selector on their site.
I will definitely have to try out (and try on) pastels; it's not something I can picture myself in, but that definitely doesn't mean it won't work. I'm liking the idea of mint green, even pink or lavender if I can bring myself to it. (Of course I'm secure in my masculinity, says the 98-pound weakling.) I have a pale blue shirt that I didn't try on at home because I didn't want to be too match, but I will.
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
posted by supercres at 9:34 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I will definitely have to try out (and try on) pastels; it's not something I can picture myself in, but that definitely doesn't mean it won't work. I'm liking the idea of mint green, even pink or lavender if I can bring myself to it. (Of course I'm secure in my masculinity, says the 98-pound weakling.) I have a pale blue shirt that I didn't try on at home because I didn't want to be too match, but I will.
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
posted by supercres at 9:34 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am going through this same transition (I'm starting a new job and decided to try to avoid the jeans-and-t-shirt trap) and I have one word: "plaid."
Maybe its my imagination, but plaid somehow seems more "comfortable" than solids or stripes. Is it some subtle difference in the weave, or psychological?
I have this theory about low-key dressing. I settled on a triumvirate of colors: blue, green, gray --in which on any given day, I pick pants of one color and shirt of another. This gives 5 combinations (avoiding the monochrome which I consider "ghetto"), yet a unified look. Most plaid has a predominant color, so fits into this scheme well.
posted by markhu at 9:36 AM on March 2, 2012
Maybe its my imagination, but plaid somehow seems more "comfortable" than solids or stripes. Is it some subtle difference in the weave, or psychological?
I have this theory about low-key dressing. I settled on a triumvirate of colors: blue, green, gray --in which on any given day, I pick pants of one color and shirt of another. This gives 5 combinations (avoiding the monochrome which I consider "ghetto"), yet a unified look. Most plaid has a predominant color, so fits into this scheme well.
posted by markhu at 9:36 AM on March 2, 2012
Also: try a few different browns with your leather or suede shoes and belt (probably never black). That will really make your pants look great.
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:36 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by 2bucksplus at 9:36 AM on March 2, 2012
Yeah, belt & shoes should stay in brown territory. Or, for a funky change, try a bright belt color, like the pink one here.
posted by Falwless at 9:49 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Falwless at 9:49 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
You could wear a shirt with fine red stripes (as someone with navy pants, I hate the fact that this color combo looks patriotic). Pink shirts, pink striped shirts, light blue, light blue stripes, etc etc. Checked shirts in blue, pink, lavendar, etc - try checks in different sizes.
I like blue with blue - I don't think it looks too matchy at all as long as the blues are different. Try a medium or light blue sweater, or a striped sweater which includes blues.
With my navy pants I wear oxford blue and very pale blue shirts, both bengal and fine blue stripes, a giant navy check, a very fine orange check that doesn't look too orange, pale grey and a pink bengal stripe. I might also wear a sailor-striped knit shirt in china blue and white. I top those off with a light grey, dark blue (but not navy blue), light blue or camel cardigan. I could also wear a blue jacket, dark or light, in a fabric with a really different texture from the pants - I have this sort of robust knit double-breasted pub jacket thing that I would wear with navy pants because the knit texture catches the light differently than the pants and thus it...looks different?....doesn't look too matchy.
I delight in wearing a pair of caramel brogues with these pants.
posted by Frowner at 9:53 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
I like blue with blue - I don't think it looks too matchy at all as long as the blues are different. Try a medium or light blue sweater, or a striped sweater which includes blues.
With my navy pants I wear oxford blue and very pale blue shirts, both bengal and fine blue stripes, a giant navy check, a very fine orange check that doesn't look too orange, pale grey and a pink bengal stripe. I might also wear a sailor-striped knit shirt in china blue and white. I top those off with a light grey, dark blue (but not navy blue), light blue or camel cardigan. I could also wear a blue jacket, dark or light, in a fabric with a really different texture from the pants - I have this sort of robust knit double-breasted pub jacket thing that I would wear with navy pants because the knit texture catches the light differently than the pants and thus it...looks different?....doesn't look too matchy.
I delight in wearing a pair of caramel brogues with these pants.
posted by Frowner at 9:53 AM on March 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Warning: I kind of work here but obviously no pressure to buy anything! My general recommendation is that you could do a search for navy trousers from any online store you like and see what they pair it with.
white shirt seems to work if you offset the high contrast it with a blazer
how do you feel about mustard?
how about apple green?
As others have suggested, khaki shirt seems nice.
And a basic grey hoodie for a more casual look.
posted by like_neon at 9:58 AM on March 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
white shirt seems to work if you offset the high contrast it with a blazer
how do you feel about mustard?
how about apple green?
As others have suggested, khaki shirt seems nice.
And a basic grey hoodie for a more casual look.
posted by like_neon at 9:58 AM on March 2, 2012 [2 favorites]
I've got those pants. I like to wear a blue large-checked shirt from LL Bean Signature (yes the blues are matchy, but the pattern cuts it down), or a pink or white Uniqlo Oxford cloth button down (they're nice for the price), and a light colored sweater or cardigan.
posted by schoolgirl report at 10:03 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by schoolgirl report at 10:03 AM on March 2, 2012
Seconding many of the blues. If it seems a bit stark, wear a tie loosely done at the top and hanging--no tie tack, with sleeves rolled. Casual with tie Patterned shirts with a bit of blue is nice. Your white with pinstripes should work with the top button unbuttoned and sleeves rolled. For now you could look a bit more casual with a light sweater vest. Not black or dark browns for shirts, although a light brown or tan would be nice. You could even get away with a casual jacket and top shirt button undone for casual. Short of a buttoned jacket with snugged up tie, I don't think you can go wrong if you want to look business casual. If some days you look a bit more formal, so what? People will just think you're a pretty upscale guy.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:41 AM on March 2, 2012
posted by BlueHorse at 10:41 AM on March 2, 2012
I favor navy chinos, myself. I tend not to wear blue tops with blue pants, though I will wear a white shirt with blue stripes under a different-colored sweater (usually brown, tan, gray, or green for me; sort of depends which other colors you favor).
I typically wear a white oxford shirt, with or without a pattern. I wear a tie at work; if you don't, you might find a plain white oxford a little boring. I'm partial to red or green stripes or tattersall. Bolder plaids could be interesting, but they're tough to pair with a tie.
If your tops are going to be more of the golf/polo shirt variety, you have a lot more options. A white polo can look really good with dark pants in hotter months. Alternatively, there are a lot of patterns and colors available in that kind of shirt.
Brown or oxblood/cordovan belt and shoes emphatically nth-ed.
Consider a non-blue sport jacket/blazer. A gray herringbone looks pretty sharp with navy pants, IMO.
Everything I'm saying here seems to boil down to: don't wear anything else that is predominately blue or black. Blue in patterns is probably fine though; black, too, as long as the pattern is dense enough to make the black read as gray. Navy goes beautifully with almost everything, so more specific color selections will depend on your skin tone, hair color, and eye color.
posted by willpie at 11:09 AM on March 2, 2012
I typically wear a white oxford shirt, with or without a pattern. I wear a tie at work; if you don't, you might find a plain white oxford a little boring. I'm partial to red or green stripes or tattersall. Bolder plaids could be interesting, but they're tough to pair with a tie.
If your tops are going to be more of the golf/polo shirt variety, you have a lot more options. A white polo can look really good with dark pants in hotter months. Alternatively, there are a lot of patterns and colors available in that kind of shirt.
Brown or oxblood/cordovan belt and shoes emphatically nth-ed.
Consider a non-blue sport jacket/blazer. A gray herringbone looks pretty sharp with navy pants, IMO.
Everything I'm saying here seems to boil down to: don't wear anything else that is predominately blue or black. Blue in patterns is probably fine though; black, too, as long as the pattern is dense enough to make the black read as gray. Navy goes beautifully with almost everything, so more specific color selections will depend on your skin tone, hair color, and eye color.
posted by willpie at 11:09 AM on March 2, 2012
I wear blue and black sometimes. The only color I dislike with navy is red. Start with other blues, green, and you'll get comfortable enough to wear other combinations.
posted by theora55 at 12:07 PM on March 3, 2012
posted by theora55 at 12:07 PM on March 3, 2012
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