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Navy jackets can add a dose of grown-up chic to any outfit. Whether you're pairing one with skinny jeans or dressy silk trousers, a navy blazer dresses up an ensemble without being as heavy or formal as basic black. But what are you supposed to wear underneath a navy blazer? Most any color goes as long as the fabrics balance each other out. For more traditional looks, turn to some stylish ladies who make us want to add a navy jacket to our own wardrobes.
Pastel Blue
Bring out the blue hue of your navy jacket with a lighter version of blue in a top. Fashion house Dsquared2 once displayed a model wearing a navy riding jacket over a button-up oxford light blue shirt, over a white turtleneck, belted navy matching skirt and dark peep-toe pumps. With the finishing touch of scrunched camel-hued leather driving gloves, this ensemble is the epitome of low-maintenance glamour. The great thing about this outfit is that it's incredibly versatile and comfortable. Go from a work meeting to cocktail hour with the addition of just a few accessories.
Classic White
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, made a navy blazer look regal while touring Alberta, Canada in the summer of 2011. She wore a white, silk ruffled blouse underneath a fitted navy blue blazer with a single gold button. She paired this top half with skinny blue jeans, a dark brown belt and low espadrille wedges. Fitted jeans and slingback wedges may be super low-key outfit items, but the ruffled texture of the looser blouse, plus the tailored fit of the blazer -- and that gold button -- instantly make the ensemble classy.
Stripes
Navy jackets are great when you're going for a preppier look, but Kate Moss showed us how they can be a little rock-and-roll edgy too, while walking around London in 2010. She wore a loose cotton gray-and-black striped short tucked into black belted skinny jeans and scuffed black ankle boots. She topped this all with a loose-fitting navy blazer, sunglasses and a tan leather bag -- effortlessly cool. Don't be afraid of pattern! Stripes can be sophisticated, yet still balance out the serious "business" quality of a navy jacket with their more laid-back and casual vice.
More Navy
Pairing a navy jacket with more navy isn't a problem, just as long as you keep whatever you wear on bottom a little less monotonous -- it's all about balance. Take Rachel Bilson, who was photographed in 2009 in Beverly Hills, wearing a rich-looking navy velvet jacket over a navy crepe top tucked into a navy and white patterned skirt. She finished the look with gold metallic closed-toe pumps, a fun, unexpected pop of glam to her otherwise neutral-based color palette.
