A navy and cream outfit is the softer, warmer fall version of navy and white, built from navy wool, satin, suede and denim with cream cashmere. I put together five outfits, from a navy cardigan with cream wide-leg trousers to a navy coat over a cream silk shirt.
Navy and Cream Outfits to Try This Fall
In March 2006, the Independent reported that Wimbledon's umpires, line judges and ball boys and girls would swap their traditional green, purple and beige for navy blue and cream uniforms, under a five-year deal with Polo Ralph Lauren, the first official outfitter in Wimbledon's 129-year history. The grass would stay green and the strawberries red (the article was very clear on that), but the people on court went navy and cream.
Navy and cream is the polished cousin of navy and white. White can look stark next to navy, while cream is softer and warmer, so the pairing looks like old tennis club clothes without trying so hard. Navy also does everything black does with less severity, which is why it works so well in fall.
A quick test: put a cream knit next to the navy piece you already own. If the navy reads as a color rather than as almost black, you have the right navy.
Navy Satin, Cream Plush
Jil Sander's Goji Pillow bag is navy satin, a soft rectangle on two thin straps, and Ferragamo's Maryan loafers are navy suede with the gold Gancini hook. For cream, Jimmy Choo's Amita slingbacks are ivory mesh with patent trim on a little kitten heel, and Stella McCartney's Falabella tote is cream plush with the brand's chain around the edge (you will want to pet it). Any one of these with jeans is the gentlest way into navy and cream.
A Navy Cardigan, Cream Wide-Leg Trousers
Acne Studios' cardigan is navy wool with a crew neck and a tiny face patch on the chest, which keeps it from being too sensible. Moncler's trousers are cream wool gabardine, pleated and wide, with a drawstring at the waist. Aeyde's Delia pumps are cream leather on a very low heel with a long vamp, and Savette's Anello tote is a soft cream leather bucket with a ring clasp. How to wear it: button the cardigan and tuck just the front in.
A Cream Cardigan, a Navy Satin Maxi Skirt
Anine Bing's Moni cardigan is cream wool and cashmere with small buttons, the most wearable thing here, and Heirlome's Sandrita skirt is midnight navy duchess satin, long and glossy. Together they look like evening without the fuss of an evening outfit. Khaite's Colleen pumps are cream leather on a flared heel, and Jacquemus' small Pochette is an ivory leather clutch with gold ends. What I would skip: a navy shoe with this. Cream at the feet keeps the satin light.
The Navy Midi Dress and a Cream Jacket
Max Mara's Serio dress is navy, short-sleeved with a V-neck and a fitted waist, and it falls to mid-calf. Almada's Funda jacket goes over it in cream cady, collarless with a long row of small buttons, very ladylike. Aeyde's Isidora Mary Janes are cream leather on a curved heel, and Bottega Veneta's Bang Bang is a little navy intrecciato box with a top handle and a gold zip. It is the most Wimbledon outfit in the edit.
A Navy Coat Over a Cream Silk Shirt
Toteme's coat is navy wool felt, long and straight with a short cape over the shoulders. Comme Si's La Classica shirt is cream silk charmeuse with a soft collar and a bit of shine, and Slvrlake's Isabel jeans are slim and dark. Zimmermann's Astor loafers are cream leather on a low stacked heel. Dark denim counts as navy here, which is the trick that makes this pairing work every day.
Let Cream Soften the Navy
Navy and white is a summer pairing, and navy and cream is the fall one. Cream warms navy up and keeps it from looking like a uniform, while navy gives cream the structure it lacks on its own. Let navy take the coats, bags and loafers, give cream the knits, silks and shoes, and count your dark jeans as navy. If you have a navy coat, a cream sweater under it gets you most of the way there. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Pink and Navy Outfits to Try This Fall and Navy and Red Outfits to Try This Fall.
