The Navy Blue Dress: A Timeless Classic

While the little black dress is a popular choice, black can be unflattering for many skin tones. If you find that black is too harsh on you, try a navy blue dress. Navy blue is timeless and often a more flattering color. Here’s how to buy, wear and love your navy blue dress…

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What Exactly Is Navy Blue?

Traditionally, navy blue was a specific dark and cool shade of blue that Royal British Navy used for their uniforms. Over time the term has been used various for various shades of dark blue including warmer and more muted tones.

The best way to find your most flattering shade navy blue is to have a color analysis done. A color analysis determines which colors look best on you based on your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. You may also be able to figure it out by trying on different types of colors i.e. warm vs. cool colors, soft vs. bright colors, and dark vs. light colors. Look for what makes your skin and eyes look radiant.

You may find that like black, navy is too dark for you. In that case, try a sapphire (bright), dark teal (warm), or gray-blue (muted).

True navy is considered a neutral, so you can wear it with a number of colors including whites, tans, yellows, oranges, purples, reds, pinks, and metallics.

My Navy Blue Dress

I bought this Ann Taylor midi a-line dress which comes in a very dark saturated navy blue. I’m wearing the 4P. (At Ann Taylor, I wear either a 2 or 4P depending on the style).

The neckline is a soft square shape which is perfect for a statement necklace. The fabric belt is removable and can be replaced with a more dressy belt like this cute bow belt or this metallic one.

I’m wearing kitten-heeled sandals from a previous season, but these square slingback sandals are similar and currently available.

I kept it casual with a basket-weave clutch, but for more dressy occasions I would take my gold handbag or something like this tortoiseshell one.

When I wore this to dinner, it was a cool night so I took my cashmere wrap, but you could also wear this dress with a cropped sweater jacket or blazer.

This dress is made of stretch cotton so it’s ideal for spring, summer, and early fall. Since our community leans towards casual attire, I wear this dress to dinners, parties, and work events.

If you are looking for a more dressy navy blue dress, keep reading for more options.

Wedding Guest And Cocktail Dresses

For weddings, cocktail parties, and other dressy events, opt for fabrics like silk, satin, lace, or velvet.

For shoes, take a look at these stunning rhinestone sandals. They come in six colors including navy for a monochromatic look and ivory for a high-contrast look. Can’t wear heels? They have a similar style in flats.

Add an evening handbag or clutch, and some statement earrings.

Formal Dresses

I found two gorgeous navy formal blue dresses earlier this year when we had to attend a fundraiser gala. You can read about them in this post: What To Wear To A Black Tie Event (Women Over 40)

Do you have a navy blue dress? How do you style yours?