Personal style note / Color, tailoring & scent
A Love for Blue
A personal note on the color I keep coming back to.
By Justin Redditt, Pearce Bespoke clothier and men's style consultant serving St. Louis, Missouri and Greater St. Louis.
Quick answer
How do you style a navy suit?
Pair navy with a crisp white shirt and add burgundy for warmth. The herringbone in Look 01 appears nearly solid from a distance, then reveals its subtle weave up close; Look 02 is solid tropical wool styled with an open collar for a more relaxed feel.
A note to begin
“Charcoal gray is still the color I think of as my power color, but lately I’ve been drawn to the beautiful shades of navy blue.”
Navy gives me room to keep the polish I love while changing the mood through texture, contrast, and the way I wear the shirt and tie. These are two different expressions of the same color.
Color history & styling method
Navy, with intention
Navy’s formal history includes its long use in naval uniforms. Royal Museums Greenwich traces the first pattern Royal Navy uniforms to 1748. That history gives the shade a familiar dress register; in my wardrobe, navy feels composed and dependable, while often softer than black.
Color associations change with culture and context, so I treat them as cues rather than rules. My method is simple: start with the cloth, then add contrast in measured steps—crisp white to clarify, burgundy to warm, and a gold accent to catch the light.
Royal Museums Greenwich · Naval uniforms
Look 01 / Tailored
Herringbone, understated
I chose this herringbone because its pattern is so subtle. From a distance, the suit can appear solid navy; as you get closer, the weave reveals the brilliant elegance of herringbone. I could have chosen a solid, but I wanted this look to have a bit of personality. The pin collar was a stylistic choice that adds classic flair. A crisp white shirt, burgundy stripe, gold watch, and white pocket square finish it.
The style formula
Navy herringbone · crisp white shirt · burgundy stripe · gold accent · white pocket square
Look 02 / Relaxed
Navy, at ease
This look is a solid navy tropical-wool suit with no visible pattern. The open-collar white shirt relaxes the formality, while the neatly arranged blue-and-white pocket square and warm brown shoes keep the finish considered.
The combination
Tropical wool · open-collar white shirt · blue-and-white pocket square · warm brown shoes
A practical style guide
Navy suit questions, answered
What colors pair well with a navy suit?
White creates clean contrast, burgundy adds warmth, and gold details bring a subtle glow. Keep the base simple so the cloth and one or two accents stand out.
How is tropical wool different from herringbone?
Herringbone is the subtle woven pattern in Look 01: it can look solid at a distance and reveal its texture up close. Tropical wool describes the cloth in Look 02, which is solid navy with no visible pattern; its open collar gives the look a more relaxed finish.
Scent note / Armani Beauty
I Will, with navy
I like pairing Armani Beauty I Will Eau de Parfum with this navy suit. Bergamot opens bright, while vanilla and smoky woodleather bring a warmer depth. That contrast feels considered and personal beside cool blue.
Bergamot · Vanilla · Smoky woodleather
The finishing note
One fragrance keeps the recommendation focused: a warm, woody counterpoint to the navy looks.
Shop I WillAffiliate link: I may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you.
The accessory note
A watch in warm tones
The gold Seiko in my first look was a gift, so I don’t know its exact reference. The product shown here is a suggested alternative, not an identification of the watch I’m wearing. Gold echoes the warmth in the first look; a brown strap softens navy, and a burgundy dial can nod to the tie.
Suggested comparisons
Automatic
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB46
A patterned burgundy dial, rose-gold-tone case, and brown leather strap make this an elegant comparison for the suit.
View the Seiko Presage
Quartz
Roberto Marino RM2702
A gold-tone rectangular case, white Roman numeral dial, and brown leather strap offer a warm dress-watch pairing for navy.
View Roberto MarinoThis article includes affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
The next step
Your next look starts here.
Explore custom clothing and personal style consulting with Pearce Bespoke in St. Louis. Build a look around your fit, your life, and the colors you love.