I’ve been thinking about solid colours a lot lately. I’m stash busting with a vengence this year and it’s come to my attention that I barely own any solid colours. It’s all prints all the way round here.
So in order to think a bit more about colours, each Friday I’m going to share my thoughts on some colours. It may not lead to a big colour revelation but at the very least we can look at some pretty clothes.
I used to hate the colour navy, well hate is a strong word but I just never considered it. To me it was boring, functional and held no charm at all.
These days I love it for its inky wonder, it can be rich and vibrant, makes a perfect companion to many of the bright patterns I so love but is equally well matched to sweet small prints.
So why for so many years was it banished from my wardrobe?
I wore a navy skirt to high school. For 6 years I pulled on a navy box pleated skirt, a white over blouse and a navy tie.
Functional yet oh so boring. While not featuring in the style stakes at all, it was however incredibly comfortable and fairly well suited to our hot and humid climate.
My only issue was my tie which I was forever covering in ink, paint or something from art or design class. After awhile my mum got sick of trying to keep it mark free and I ended up with 2 ties. One to wear on any day I had a practical subject and one to wear on all other days.
Now that I have got past that time I can appreciate navy for all it’s good qualities and love pairing in unexpected ways or in a wacky silhouette. Next trip to Japan I’m scheduling in some time to indulge my navy fascination by seeing a traditional Indigo Dyehouse, surely the ultimate form of navy?
Voluminous Navy skirt via We the People Navy Lace Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton via Fashion 156 Navy head to toe via The Sartorialist Navy and red trim coat via Lauren Moffatt
To see more Navy in all it’s hue’s take a look at our Pinterest board
Kristy
Uniforms of any kind can ruin a colour or style for many years can’t they? My high school uniform was a bottle green plaid box pleat skirt and a lemon yellow blouse both of which I’m unlikely to wear ever again so no harm done! I like navy – it’s not as harsh or cheap looking as black can sometimes be and it definitely is a good base to pair with some vibrant colours
Susan Goodwin
ouch your uniform sounds like hard work. I agree that Navy is softer than black, I find black harsh against my skin tone but navy works well. The fact that navy pairs exceptionally well with pink is also a big plus in its favour.
Louise
I find I am really into navy this year and it wasn’t a colour I ever went for previously – thinking of navy blue linen dresses or skirts for summer
My uniform was a hideous brown with gold cotton blouse – definitely not wearing that any more!
Susan Goodwin
It does seem like navy is having it’s moment, it goes so well with everything. Brown and gold? they were really making sure you hated your uniform with that combination.
Catherine
I love navy! i wear it like how some people wear black and i also had navy in all my school uniforms but being able to wear navy in stylish ways, not just in a blazer or tartan skirt makes it just a little more fun. the full satin skirt at the top is beautiful!
Susan Goodwin
I really like it when navy takes on that inky almost oily quality in a silk or satin. It makes it such a mysterious colour.