How to Wear a Navy Blazer: Expert Styling Tips for Every Occasion

Can one piece of clothing elevate your look? A navy blazer can! It’s one of the most versatile pieces of clothing you’ll find. When you learn how to wear a navy blazer properly, you can go from drab to fab with ease.

Our navy blazer style guide is chock full of valuable tips so you can wear a navy blazer outfit with confidence!

Why Every Man Needs a Navy Blazer

Every man needs an outfit in their wardrobe that they can dress up or down in at a moment's notice. That’s where a navy blazer comes in. After all, you can wear a navy blazer outfit to a formal or casual event and go from a business meeting to date night in one fell swoop.

When it comes to flattering colors, navy is universal. It’s a neutral color that complements virtually any skin tone. It also pairs well with other colors, making it a breeze to create a variety of navy blazer outfits from almost anything in your closet.

Navy is also considered to be a relaxing color, and one that conveys authority and dependability, so wearing a navy blue suit can give a boost of confidence when you’ve got an interview or important business meeting.

Trends may come and go, but a navy blazer is here to stay. And when you care for it properly and know how to wear a navy blazer, it’ll be the standout piece of clothing you reach for time and time again.

What Makes a Quality Navy Blazer

When it comes to quality, consider the fabric type and durable construction. You don’t want to wear a blazer that’s falling apart at the seams or one that feels itchy. A navy blazer made from 100% Merino wool is soft, wrinkle-resistant, and thermoregulating. A high-quality Merino wool suit and blazer will drape well, so you’ll look sharp and polished.

Best Colors to Pair with a Navy Blazer

Pairing the right colors is a must when learning how to wear a navy blazer. Consider the setting when styling your navy blazer with shirts, pants, ties, and accessories. We’ll break down the best colors by occasion below.

Pant Options

Choose pant suit colors that ensure a stylish contrast with your navy blazer.

Formal/Professional:

• Mid-gray wool dress pants
• Charcoal wool dress pants

Smart Casual

• Beige chinos
• Dark denim
• White dress pants
• Brown or olive chinos

Special Events

• Dark pants for dating and social occasions
• Charcoal gray dress pants for a cocktail party dress code

Wedding Guest:

• Lighter colors for spring or summer weddings
• Rich, deeper colors for fall or winter celebrations

Shirt Colors That Work

The right color dress shirt sets the tone and completes the look of your navy blue outfit.

Formal/Professional:

• White or light blue
• Light gray

Smart Casual

• Lighter colors
• A crisp white shirt

Special Events

• Crisp white
• Light blue
• Light pink

Wedding Guest Attire

• White
• Pale blue

Tie and Pocket Square Coordination

Create a polished look with ties and pocket squares that complement, not match, each other. Here are a few suggestions:

Formal/Professional:

• Gold, green, or burgundy colors
• Small geometric prints or repp stripe

Smart Casual

• Go bold with a mustard yellow or burnt orange necktie or pocket square
• Opt to wear a navy blazer outfit without a tie, or wear the navy blazer with a pocket square only

Special Events

• Silver or light gray tie with dark red pocket square
• Paisley or patterned for a semi-formal event, and pull a color from the tie for the pocket square

Wedding Guest Attire

• Forest green tie with a pocket square contrasting hue, like gold
• Burgundy with a white pocket

Best Shoes to Wear with a Navy Blazer

When you wear the proper shoes, it balances the navy blue men’s outfit overall look. Try specific styles for different settings.

Formal/Professional:

• Black dress shoes are classic and sharp
• Oxblood dress shoes make a bold and refined statement
• Brown dress shoes are a modern alternative that creates a suave contrast with navy

Smart Casual

• Brown dress shoes
• Suede loafers or boots
• White leather sneakers

More Accessories for Your Navy Blazer Outfit

Here are a few other accessory suggestions:

Belts: Black or brown leather belts for formal or business settings. You can opt for a braided or woven belt for a casual navy blue outfit.

Socks: Colorful ties are a good option when you’re not wearing a tie. You can also try argyle, striped, or checkered socks.

Common Navy Blazer Mistakes to Avoid

Stay sharp and avoid some of these common mistakes when wearing a navy blue men’s outfit:

• Wearing a blazer that is too tight or too loose
• Incorrect sleeve length
• Buttoning the bottom button
• Forgetting to unbutton the jacket when you sit down
• Wearing too many accessories
• Forgetting to remove temporary stitching
• Wearing a blazer that is damaged

Find Your Perfect Fit at Generation Tux

Explore the navy blue suits and tuxedos selection at Generation Tux and find your perfect fit. We also carry must-have accessories, like ties, pocket squares, shoes, and more, to complete your look with confidence.