Think of any black tie event, and you’ll have trouble finding situations where navy tuxedo outfits won’t fit. Wedding Party? Great. Prom? Check. Red Carpet? Again perfect.
Also, a navy tuxedo is an elegant alternative to a black tuxedo. It’s classic but has an additional style allure due to blue shades that photograph really well.
We consider it a “dark horse” that can take your formal wear to the next level. And therefore, we have this guide to help gentlemen nail their navy tuxedo looks.
Different Navy Tuxedo Outfits for Men
The navy tuxedo was the iconic formal dress of the 1970s. But it made a comeback as recently many Hollywood stars started wearing it on red carpets. Most notably, after Daniel Craig’s Blue Tuxedo in “Skyfall,” it reached its climax.
Many gents, however, need help to decipher the versatility of this navy tuxedo. Therefore, we’ll give you different outfit inspirations to properly style this tuxedo for your next formal event.
Navy Tuxedo with a White Tuxedo Shirt
We are starting this outfit primer with a classic navy tux and a white tuxedo shirt combination. This outfit would be simple but hold a high sartorial status. And you can be distinctive through the tuxedo styles and shirt details.
Tuxedo styles include the lapel type, jacket material, and tuxedo cut. We recommend the wool slim-fit tuxedo jacket with shawl satin lapels as the most timeless option.
Shirt styling can even have more diversity. For example, wear a pique-front white tuxedo shirt with a wingtip collar for a formal take.
In comparison, choose a plain-front tuxedo shirt with a semi-spread collar for a more contemporary style. Wearing a white pleated-front tuxedo shirt would be a middle-of-the-road option.
White Dress Shirt for a Less Formal Look
Next on the list is the white dress shirt combination with a navy tuxedo. This look is perfectly acceptable and a great alternative if you don’t own a tuxedo shirt.
However, again it’s important to choose the proper dress shirt styling. For example, the dress shirt must fit you perfectly.
The collar should be semi-spread instead of a button-down. And, the shirt buttons should never be prominent.
This outfit is our recommendation for creative black-tie events. Here, wearing a simple dress shirt will showcase your playfulness and mastery of dress codes. Plus, this outfit will stand out without being in your face.
The Black Bow Tie is a Must
Whether you’re the groom’s best man or formal dinner host, when wearing a tux, always wear a bow tie. We consider a black bow tie style an absolute must-have for navy blue tuxedos. Also, the black bow tie with a tux outfit will have much more elegance than other bow tie colors.
But again, it all comes down to the details. So, match the bow tie and the lapel material. And wear a self-tie bow tie instead of a pre-made or clip-on.
A velvet bow tie can be a wild card here. It best suits self-facing shawl lapels, especially at festive events.
Navy Tuxedo with Pumps for a Formal Wedding
For a timeless and classic navy blue tuxedo look, complement your outfit with opera pumps. The black patent leather opera pumps are always the most elegant choice. This will create a wedding outfit that showcases the epitome of black-tie attire.
However, you can take a laid-back approach and wear black velvet slippers. The outfit would be highly formal but with an additional dash of style.
Talking of shoes, never forget to wear your socks. We recommend over-the-calf silk dress socks for the utmost style.
Or with Black Dress Shoes
Next, go one step down in formality by replacing the pumps with black dress shoes. So, the navy tuxedo outfit would be effortless to pull off.
Among the shoe choices, patent leather oxfords would be suitable for formal occasions. You can wear silk laces to make it more wedding appropriate.
Also, black derby shoes are acceptable too. But again, these should be in patent leather or polished to a high shine.
Loafers or Luxurious Velvet Slippers
Switching to a different shoe style than opera pumps and oxfords would create a new outfit. And as our man, Forrest Gump, said, “you can tell a lot by looking at a person’s shoes.” So, don’t consider it a trivial detail.
You can wear loafers and velvet slippers with a navy blue tuxedo for an elegantly relaxed style. Among loafers, Belgian loafers would be a graceful match. And for the color, both black and navy are fine.
Velvet slippers, in comparison, will showcase a cheerful style. You can match these shoes with a velvet bow tie to make a distinction.
Black Tie Only for Notch Lapel Navy Tuxedo
If you want a modern take on wearing a tuxedo, having notch lapels is one way to do it. And since it’s not your most classic outfit, we recommend something equally modern, like a black necktie.
Choosing a black silk necktie is best, as the shine will make you look preppy. But make sure to respect the dress code with this outfit. We only recommend it for only formal creative events.
Separate the Navy Tuxedo Jacket with Black Pants
Just like the navy suit, a navy tuxedo has strong separates. And thus, you can wear the navy tuxedo jacket separately as with black pants. This combination takes the stuffiness out of a navy tux, which some people feel especially with less formal looks.
So, you can play with the black tie rules without disrespecting the dress code.
Navy Waistcoat for Three-Piece Tuxedo Look
If you don’t like wearing the old-school cummerbund, maybe you’re the waistcoat guy. And with the navy tuxedo, a matching navy vest would be a great style choice.
This outfit is a classic staple of the wedding world. So, as a groom, this is the outfit if you need something formal but also modern for your wedding.
Black Waistcoat if Wearing Black Pants
The outfit of a navy tuxedo jacket, black pants, and a matching black waistcoat is not for everybody.
But gents who like classic style with modern sensibility are a great fit here. So again, we recommend this outfit for festive weddings and other creative tuxedo looks.
Things to Consider when Wearing a Navy Tuxedo
A navy tuxedo makes your style look dashing and gathers the right kind of attention. But there are a few considerations to make sure you don’t go overboard.
The most essential and obvious one is to get the right fit. If your tuxedo fits you well, you will feel confident and look more stylish. Therefore, we always emphasize fit. Besides the fit, here are some other things to consider.
Appropriate Tuxedo Fabric
For your navy tuxedo, choose durable, nicely draping, breathable fabric. Worsted wool is, therefore, the best option. It’s durable, has a subtle luster, and is a year-round option.
If concerned about the weave, barathea would be an excellent choice. And you can wear it anytime, from summer outdoor weddings to ballroom events.
Sometimes the wool has a silk/polyester blend to reduce the cost. But this also compromises the quality. In comparison, wool with a cashmere blend creates a luxurious but somewhat expensive tuxedo fabric.
Velvet is another popular navy tuxedo fabric. It’s appropriate for cold weather and slightly festive events.
The Jacket Lapel and Pockets
Nothing adds personality to a navy blue tuxedo better than the jacket lapels and pockets. Regarding lapels, their width, material, and style are all important. We recommend choosing lapel types matching the occasion.
For the most formal look, choose peak lapels. Wear shawl lapels to add relaxed sophistication to a formal style. You can wear notch lapels for a cheery laid-back style.
In the lapel material, satin or grosgrain are the options. You can choose any, but match it with your bow tie. Regarding lapel width, slim lapels are contemporary style, while wide lapels are old-school.
Finally, the pockets, jetted pockets are the best choice here. You can also have flap pockets, but keep the flaps tucked in.
Suspenders Instead of a Belt
With a tuxedo, wearing suspenders instead of a belt is one hundred percent classic and stylish. Plus, you can get a better drape and comfort.
Among suspenders, we always favor button suspenders instead of clip-on. The reason is the better support and elegant status of button suspenders.
For the suspender color, black or white best match the classic black tie ensemble. However, wearing navy suspenders to match the tuxedo is also perfectly fine.
Places to Wear Navy Tuxedo Outfits
As an alternative to the black tuxedo, you can wear a navy blue tux to any black tie invite. This includes weddings, ballroom galas, prom, formal dinners, charity events, operas, red carpet, etc.
Similarly, you can show up to black-tie creative garden parties and weddings by appropriately styling the navy tuxedo. But you must be aware of the dress code and never go overboard.
