How to Wear a Navy Suit: Shirts, Ties and Shoes

If charcoal is the most formal everyday suit, navy is the most versatile. It suits nearly every man, works in daylight and evening, and pairs with more shirt and shoe colours than any other suit. Here is how to wear it so it earns that reputation.

Shirts and Ties for Navy

White is the crispest partner and the most formal. Light blue softens navy for everyday wear. From there navy takes almost any tie, from a deep burgundy to a forest green to a quiet pattern, which is part of why it is so easy to wear. If you are still learning which colours suit you, our guide to suit colour for your complexion is the place to start.

Shoes and Belt

Navy is happiest with brown shoes, from mid to dark, which warm it up for the office and daytime events. Black works too and reads more formal for evenings and weddings. Match the belt to the shoe and the outfit holds together. Navy paired with brown is one of the most reliable looks in menswear.

Where Navy Shines

A navy suit carries a wedding, an interview, the office, and a dinner out, which is why it is usually the first suit we suggest. Our post on navy versus charcoal covers which to buy first if you are choosing between them.

FAQ

What shirt goes with a navy suit?

White and light blue are the two most useful. White is the crispest and most formal, light blue softens the suit for everyday wear. Both let you pair almost any tie with a navy suit, which is part of its versatility.

Do brown or black shoes go with a navy suit?

Both work, but brown is the more useful by day. Mid to dark brown warms navy up for the office and daytime events, while black reads more formal for evenings and weddings. Match your belt to whichever you choose.

Is a navy suit good for a wedding?

Very. Navy suits nearly every man, photographs well, and works for both daytime and evening weddings. It also earns its place afterward at the office and other events, which makes it one of the most useful wedding suits.