The Rich-Looking Color Trend That's Better Than Black (Yes, Really)


Like clockwork, a few colors emerge from the back of our closets once temperatures begin to drop. Black! Brown! Beige! They are all the fashion crowd's informal welcoming committee for fall. But beyond the more obvious shades, occasionally there will be a few other colors that manage to capture our attention. Recently, some of those hues that have taken the runways by storm include oxblood, dove gray, and even olive green—which all, ironically, can be considered fall neutrals. For the record, these color trends are far from groundbreaking. However, for some fashion people, the mere concept of opting for clothing that's not black, brown, or beige can be, well, earth-shattering. Considering that we've seen so many conversations crop up around alternatives to black, it's only a matter of time before one color comes back into the chat: navy.
Before you scream at your screen, hear me out. Embracing color can be challenging for the fashion crowd (no shade intended). But opting for an unexpected neutral like navy allows us to make our everyday staples feel a bit more elegant with little effort. But if that's not enough to sell you on this shade, keep scrolling. In an effort to prove that this color is actually, dare I say, the "new" black, I've pulled ample proof that this particular shade permeated F/W 24 collections. Ahead, you'll find a few styling examples of this color trend on the runway and a curation of the best navy clothing for fall from Nordstrom, H&M, Aritzia, J.Crew, and a few other retailers. Fair warning: This story may cause you to want to stop wearing all-black. Proceed with caution.
What's not to love about this navy Bottega Veneta bag?
The great thing about this navy slip skirt? It can be worn in nearly every season.
You won't have to put too much effort into looking elegant with these pleated pants.
I'm a sucker for a pinstripe suit.
Pair with the matching Portia Pant ($275).
You can style this vest with matching navy separates or dark-wash denim.
Pleated skirts are already quite polished, but the shade of this particular one raises the bar.
Honestly, I didn't know that my wardrobe was missing a pair of navy heels until now.
I can attest to Aritzia's outerwear being worth the investment—especially when it's as elevated as this navy double-breasted coat.
Tory Burch always understands the assignment.
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
-
The 30 Fashion and Beauty Items That Are on My Summer 2025 Shopping List
Summer shopping is the best shopping.
-
The Elegant "New Neutral" Chic French Women Are Wearing This Spring
Fresh and fashion-forward.
-
I Took My Tax Refund Straight to COS, Massimo Dutti, and The Row—Here's the Damage
No regrets.
-
Spotted in Paris and Copenhagen: The Next Viral Sneaker Trend to Take Over
Coming to a street (or social feed) near you.
-
5 Elegant Color Combos Every Cool European Will Be Wearing This Summer
Number four is our favorite.
-
The Items Everyone With Good Taste Is Eyeing From Free People
Caution: may cause shopping spree.
-
I Don't Know About You, But I Think These 31 Zara Items Are Incredibly Tempting
Your summer wardrobe reset is here.
-
Put Down the Choker—This Is the Necklace Trend Everyone, Everywhere, Is Wearing
You better be ready.