15+ Useful Tips on What Color Tie to Wear with a Navy Suit

By Liz Flynn Jul 16, 2024

A navy suit is a classic, timeless menswear look. Choosing the perfect tie can elevate your navy suit from ordinary to extraordinary.

Whether you're dressing for a formal event, a job interview, or a date night, the right tie color can take this classic menswear essential to the next level.

We have over 15 helpful tips and tricks for styling a classic navy suit with various tie colors, helping you achieve a polished and sophisticated appearance. From bold statement hues to timeless classics, we have all the outfit ideas you need.

Here are the best tie colors to elevate your navy suit game with confidence and ease.

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When to Wear a Navy Suit

A navy suit is a timeless and modern menswear piece that will last years in your wardrobe. It’s versatile and appropriate for a range of occasions. But how do you know when wearing a navy suit is appropriate?

Let’s walk through some of the best occasions to wear a navy suit.

Check out our selection of sustainable men’s suits to get started.

Formal Occasions

Events like galas, formal dinners, or award ceremonies call for a sharp look. A well-tailored navy suit is sharp, clean, and respectful for almost every formal occasion.

A navy suit is also perfect for formal gatherings like weddings, funerals, or quinceañeras. A navy suit is the way to go if you want to look your best.

In the Office

If your workplace has a professional business dress code, a navy suit is a great staple to rotate with other suits.

The navy color creates a slightly more casual vibe than classic black, making it a stylish, modern choice.

Check out more of our tips about how to appropriately dress for the office.

Business Meetings

You always want to make a great first impression when attending a business meeting. A navy suit is a classic, elegant way to impress colleagues and business partners.

Wear a navy suit to convey your approachable yet professional demeanor during formal business meetings.

What Colors Look Best with a Navy Suit?

Pairing the perfect tie with a navy suit can be intimidating. Thankfully, there are some general rules when picking what color tie to wear with a navy suit.

Navy is a versatile color that goes with just about anything. The main thing to focus on is the shade and saturation of the tie color.

When picking a tie color, choose something that balances the dark navy color of the suit. You can create contrast and vibrancy with pink, yellow, or light lavender colors.

You can also choose cooler colors like green, gray, and blue as long as they aren’t too dark. Darker colors will blend in with the navy suit. Who wants to blend in? Not you!

A Matching Navy Tie

You can wear a matching navy tie for a sleek, monochromatic look. This simple ensemble works well for formal office dress codes and business meetings.

Wear a white dress shirt underneath to create contrast and balance.

A Polka-Dot Tie

Navy suits look fantastic with polka-dot ties. This playful pattern is fantastic for happy occasions like weddings, graduations, and formal anniversary dinners.

Choose a high-quality polka-dot tie with a subtle pattern and light color that compliments the navy suit.

A Gray Tie

A gray tie is one of the best choices for a navy suit. This cool color looks especially amazing for weddings. The cool color of a light gray tie creates just the right amount of contrast while giving off an elegant air.

A Subtle Patterned Tie

If polka-dots aren’t your thing, you can shop around for a tie with a subtle pattern. You can incorporate your personal sense of style with a subtly striped or checkered tie.

A subtle pattern looks elegant, timeless, and formal without being too stuffy and traditional.

A Maroon Tie

Red and blue are complementary colors. Naturally, a chic maroon tie looks great with a navy suit.

These high-contrast colors look stunning together when done correctly. Go with a rich, dark maroon when wearing a dark navy suit. Wear a lighter, warmer maroon tie if your suit is a lighter navy color.

A Mustard Yellow Tie

Yellow is a tricky tie color to wear with a navy suit, but it’s possible to pull it off with some adjustments.

Avoid bright yellow ties and go with a warmer mustard color. This modern color creates a nice contrast without making you look like an 80s power broker.

Playful Patterns

Ties don’t always have to be serious. You can dress up your navy suit with playful patterned ties.

Go bold with a funky chevron print, or delight people with a custom-print novelty tie.

A Neutral Bowtie

A neutral bowtie creates a chic, elegant look. It's a fun way to play with tradition for events like weddings and formal date nights.

Choose a neutral color like light gray or beige to create an effortless, timeless outfit.

A Pink Tie

Add some pizzazz with a pink tie. Light pink goes well with navy blue because it creates contrast and lightens the cool tones of a navy suit.

Pastel and light pink work best with a navy suit.

A White Dress Shirt

Don’t forget a classic white dress shirt when planning your navy suit outfit. White dress shirts are like a blank canvas to showcase your tie color and the clean lines of your navy suit.

It’s a classic choice for a reason. It just works.

Explore our selection of ethically made button-up shirts.

Add a Lapel Pin

Take your navy suit to the next level with some fun menswear accessories. Add a small lapel pin to incorporate your personality into your outfit.

There are so many lapel pin options that you are guaranteed to find something you like. Get creative!

Don’t Forget a Tie Clip

Add a tie clip to ensure you always look sharp in your navy suit.

Tie clips attach your tie to your dress shirt, ensuring everything stays in place. The clip prevents your tie from swinging around and coming undone throughout the day.

Plus, it adds an extra element of style to any navy suit.

Do You Have to Wear a Tie with a Navy Suit?

Despite what certain rule-followers may say, you don’t have to wear a tie with your navy suit. You can forego the tie for a more casual, laid-back look.

Wearing a navy suit without a tie works well for certain occasions, such as outdoor weddings, formal garden parties, and fancy date nights.

As always, it’s important to check the dress code of any event you might attend.

A Black Turtleneck

You can opt out of wearing a tie with your navy suit by wearing an elegant black turtleneck. This look is perfect if you want something unconventional and unique.

Check out our tips for how to wear a turtleneck.

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About the Author: Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn is a freelance writer, fiber artist, and amateur art historian. She is passionate about making sustainable, ethical fashion accessible to everyone. In her spare time, Liz can be found crocheting, reading, hiking, or hanging out with her beloved dog, Atwood. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Education from UC Riverside.

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