Blue and black don't mix well? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! This color combination really packs a punch and in this article we'll tell you why this combination works so well and how to style it correctly.
Blue and black - two colors that have not always been celebrated in the fashion world... However, this color combination has now become established among all fashionistas and is now an integral part of the wardrobes of fashionable women. Together, the two colors look elegant, modern, fresh and self-confident and also offer countless styling options. Whether in everyday life, in the office or at festive occasions - the combination of blue and black is a real eye-catcher and is suitable for a wide range of styles and outfits. With the right tips and a clever choice of colors, you can skilfully showcase the mix. And you can find out exactly how this works in our ultimate style guide with numerous tips on the topic of “combining blue and black correctly”.
Why blue and black are a perfect combination
The combination of blue and black used to be considered a real faux pas in the fashion world. Today, however, this rule has been broken and the mix of the two colors has become an integral part of many looks. But what exactly makes this color mix so special?
On the one hand, clothing in black, as a neutral color, provides the ideal basis for most outfits and gives them a certain elegance. Blue, on the other hand, brings freshness and light highlights to your outfit. Together, both tones appear harmonious, elegant and timeless. The combination also creates a subtle, yet striking contrast that doesn't look too harsh (like black and white, for example) and gives the outfit a modern touch. Designers, fashion houses and stars like Victoria Beckham also regularly use blue and black, as this combination is a real all-rounder and can be easily styled with a little know-how.
The best shades of blue for a stylish look with black
However, before you style blue and black, you should be aware that not every shade of blue harmonizes perfectly with black. Here you will find a styling guide with the shades that go best together for a stylish look:
1. Navy blue and black
Navy blue is a dark blue and is considered a classic among blue tones and is the perfect partner for black. Due to its dark, rich nuance, navy blue almost looks like a variation of black, which is why the two colors blend harmoniously into one another. A navy blue blazer over a black turtleneck sweater exudes pure elegance and is the perfect combination for an important meeting in the office, for example.
2. Light blue and black
Lighter shades of blue such as baby blue or pastel blue appear soft and feminine and give an outfit a certain lightness. If you combine black with light blue, your outfit will radiate a certain youthfulness - this blue and black duo is ideal for spring and summer. A light blue blouse with black trousers is an uncomplicated and fresh look that works well for everyday life, but also in the office.
3. Grey-blue and black
Grey-blue, also known as "dusty blue", is a soft color that is particularly suitable for minimalist looks. The muted blue also goes perfectly with black clothing. This subtle combination exudes stylish elegance and self-confidence. For example, a gray-blue coat over a black sweater is an unbeatable styling duo for fall and winter.
4. Teal blue and black
It's hard to imagine a well-equipped wardrobe without petrol blue and there's a reason for that: the color is an absolute all-rounder that gives every outfit an elegant touch in no time. And this nuance comes into its own particularly when paired with black (e.g. black trousers with a petrol blue blouse). In short: petrol blue and black are a fashion dream team.
5. Royal blue and black
Royal blue is a little brighter and therefore adds color to the outfit without appearing overloaded. A black coat with a royal blue dress creates a stylish contrast that is a real eye-catcher, especially on festive occasions. But a casual look can also be styled with this color combination: e.g. For example, black cargo pants with a royal blue bomber jacket or jeans in the same tone with a black hoodie. The royal blue provides a fresh touch and stands out from the subtle black without creating too extreme a contrast.
Fashionable eye-catcher: the combination of a navy blue jeans two-piece and a black crop top.
Blue and Black Styling Ideas: How to Rock the Look
As already mentioned, the color combination blue and black is a real all-rounder, as long as you choose the right shades of blue. You can present the two shades in a casual or elegant way and always radiate something modern and self-confident. And here we prove it to you with cool styling ideas for blue and black that will guarantee you a stylish appearance.
1. 3 outfit ideas for the office
- Black pencil skirt, royal blue blouse, black blazer and mules, gold jewelry
- Black Marlene pants, black turtleneck, dark blue blazer (e.g. navy or petrol blue), dark ankle boots, a cream handbag and silver jewelry
- Blue pants suit, black bag, ballerina shoes and coat, subtle gold or silver jewelry
2. 3 outfit ideas for leisure time
- Jeans in medium blue, black sweater, white and black sneakers, cream-colored shopper and simple accessories
- Black cargo pants with a dark blue cropped top, a cream-colored denim jacket with a used look, a black baguette bag and silver-colored accessories
- Light blue jeans, white shirt, black oversized blazer (leather look), white sneakers, black handbag and gold jewelry
3. 3 outfit ideas for a dressy occasion
- Black dress with a dark blue coat, a statement clutch in black and silver accessories
- Navy blue sheath dress with a black silk scarf and black heels, a baguette bag in a silver metallic look and silver jewelry
- Dark blue pants suit, black silk blouse, heels and clutch and gold jewelry
3 no-gos when combining black and blue
Combining black and blue can look really stylish - but only if you avoid some typical styling mistakes. The colors need the right balance so as not to appear bland or overloaded. Here you will find out which no-gos you should definitely avoid when styling black and blue in order to score points with your look.
1. Too many patterns
Blue and black work particularly well in simple, plain-colored combinations. Too many patterns could make the look seem busy and overloaded. It's better to rely on clear lines and simple cuts. In this case, there is something to the saying “less is more”. And if you can't do without patterns, then choose a single item of clothing with prints and the rest of the outfit should be monotonous pieces.
2. Choosing the wrong shades of blue
The fact that black and blue had a bad reputation for so long is not entirely unfounded. Because some shades of blue just don't look good with black and it's exactly these that you should stay away from. However, it is not possible to say per se which shade of blue does not harmonize with black. Often it's the brighter shades, while dark blue is a safe choice. However, to be on the safe side, you should put the two items of clothing you want to combine next to each other beforehand. As soon as you feel that something is wrong, you should choose another combination.
3. Combining too many colors
The color combination with blue and black thrives on its simplicity and therefore you should not style the two shades with other bright colors. Small accents in white, cream, brown, gold or silver round off the duo harmoniously. Shades such as pink, green, orange, red and co., on the other hand, would disrupt the special interplay of black and blue and make the entire look appear unrounded and confused.
