Mail Bag: Combining Black and Navy

Kasmira:

Hi there. I am planning my wardrobe for my trip to Paris. I am comfortable combining black and brown....any thoughts for combining navy blue and black? Thanks so much,

Laura

I approach combining black and navy blue the same way I do black and brown. For both combinations, the key is making it look intentional. I try to repeat one of the colors at least twice in an outfit. For example, if I’m wearing a navy skirt and black top, I’ll also wear black shoes. Even better, but perhaps a little too matchy for some people’s taste, I’ll repeat both colors twice: navy blouse, black belt, navy skirt, black shoes.

The easiest way to introduce a black/navy combination into your outfit rotation is to start with an item of clothing that already combines these colors. I have a navy skirt with black stripes and black lace trim, a navy bolero with a black collar, and a tartan skirt with a dark (almost navy blue) and black in the pattern. These easily lend themselves to the creation of black and blue ensembles. (For brown and black combinations, a leopard print is a great way to tie the two colors together.)

Black and navy can be a rather dark combination, so I like to add a pop of color. Yellow is my favorite accent for black and navy, but I also like orange and bright pink.

The following photos are of a few of my outfits combining black and navy.


If you like, you can just take me along on your trip to be your personal stylist.

50's Revival

Sheer blouse, Forever 21. Linen skirt, Talbots. Belt, Steven by Steve Madden. Scarf and shoe clip (used as a scarf clip), thrifted. Peeptoe slingbacks, BCBGirls. Watch, Louis Arden. Bag, Naturalizer (vintage and thrifted).

I paired this skirt with green once before and really liked how fresh it was with the black and white. This time, the green is truer and I introduced some pattern mixing with this thrifted scarf.

I often find shoe clips as I dig through the mounds of jewelry at St. Vincent de Paul. Usually, they are unmatched and/or ugly, so I pass on them. This single clip was so pretty that I thought I’d try it as a scarf clip. It seemed like a good way to secure a scarf, without putting pin holes in the fabric or tying it in a knot. However, it just didn’t hold tightly enough. I probably readjusted the clip a dozen times today when one end of the scarf slipped loose. I’ll have to think of a new usage for unmatched shoe clips.


This morning, it was cool enough that I needed a coat. I was only too eager to drag out my favorite, by Bebe.

15 Dollar Dress and Watch

Dress, Sele. Belt, Xhilaration. Slingbacks, Audrey Brooke. Watch, Louis Arden. Handbag, Naturalizer (thrifted and vintage). Sunnies, Walgreen’s.

This dress and watch are items #2 and #3 of my experimental 15dollarstore.com order. (Item #1 was the tunic and the final item [#4] will be revealed when the weather cools off a bit more.) Both the dress and watch are cute, but the quality isn’t the greatest. The watch’s enamel took a bit of a beating when the jeweler removed the excess links. It has flaked off around the pins that were adjusted and at a few points edge of the face. I bought it because Angie had finally convinced me that I needed a chunky white watch. I only spent $15 on it because I’m not sure I’ll wear it after summer ends. The enamel should hold up until then.

The dress is adorable. I love the look of a black strapless dress with a white blouse peeking out from underneath. I’ve attempted this look with an actual dress and blouse, but the result was lumpy. An attached, faux blouse works much better. I also like the dress’ wide waistband (beneath the belt) and tulip skirt. I realized, though, as soon as I sat down on the bus to go to work, that the length is too short for the office, at least without hosiery. I plan to pair the dress with wild tights for fall (because, as I tell Mike, wearing tights is like wearing pants, so my skirt can be as short as I like). The dress isn’t lined and the zipper action is a bit jerky. According to the MSRP on the attached tag, it retails for $59. $15 seems much more appropriate.

Never Seen Again

Silk knit top, Ann Taylor (thrifted). Skirt, Richard Malcom. Pumps, Colin Stuart. Charm necklace, thrifted. Bag, Franco Sarto. Scarf, Marshall’s.



How I love to wear blue and green together! With this skirt, it’s only natural to match my top to the aqua ribbon. I found this tank at St. Vincent de Paul last weekend and immediately snatched it up for the lovely color and hand. (I love silk knits!) It’s a tad more vibrant than the ribbon, but the shoes are also brighter than the skirt, so it all kind of evens out. (Tucking the top in was an experiment. I didn’t like the look much.) Of course, my bare arms were quickly chilled in the air conditioned office, so I spent most of the day wrapped in my faux shrug, constructed by draping a wrap around my shoulders and tying it in the small of my back.



While at St. Vincent, Londyn and I rifled through the jewelry. Most of my thrifted jewelry comes from this store. As I stacked up a pile of potential purchases, I moaned over the unruly mess my jewelry collection had become. Londyn mentioned that she seldom saw me wear the same piece twice. I bridled and presented this charm necklace (also from St. Vincent) as evidence of repeat wearings. Upon further reflection, 10 wearings in nine months really isn’t very often. I need to step it up.

Swappy

Waistcoat, H&M. Lace blouse, Newport News. Skirt, Parallel (via swap). Pumps, Bandolino. Brooch, thrifted. Bracelet, Xhilaration. Bag, Vieta.


Just like a sale encourages you to move out of your clothing comfort zone, I’ve swapped for items I never would have looked at twice in a store. I’m too nice of a swapper. If someone wants something of mine badly, I’ll swap for something I’m barely interested in. Sometimes, though, I discover something new in the process. Like, a loud, clingy skirt doesn’t necessarily make my hips look a mile wide. And if I later decide I don’t like it anymore, I’m just out the $2.45 I spent on postage for the reciprocal swap.



More on Wardrobe Swap Shop.

Summer Suit

Blazer, Star City (thrifted). Skirt, G.J. Forbes (thrifted and shortened). Blouse, Worthington. Peeptoe maryjanes, Charles David. Beads, thrifted. Handbag, Naturalizer (thrifted and vintage).


I am so pleased to see “thrifted” describing more and more of my clothing. I’ve long admired stylish girls who manage to create their look with secondhand clothing. I doubt I’ll ever make the 100% Thrifted pool on Flickr, though, because I’ve never bought pre-worn shoes and likely never will. I usually browse the shoes, but am turned off by the style, size, or obvious wear.

I found the blazer this weekend at St. Vincent de Paul. (The skirt and beads are also from St. Vincent, but earlier excursions.) I like how it almost matches the skirt to make a sort of summer suit.

Bangless

Eyelet jacket, Forever 21. Dress, Ann Taylor. Shoes, Wet Seal. Enamel bangles, Xhilaration. Golden bamboo bangle, swap.



Minutes after I was banged, in March 2006.
I’ve had bangs (aka fringe) for over two years now. I am pulling them back for my current show and feel so exposed. I need my hair curtain!

Time for a “how have you liked it best” poll on this Ann Taylor dress I bought in March.

How have you liked this dress best?
	Bangless
	Spring Rain
	Glasses
	Not Too Much Color
	Fresh
pollcode.com free polls