I'm Convinced That This Luxe Neutral Is the New Black In 2026
Black is the backbone of my wardrobe. As someone who has long been influenced by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s ‘90s minimalist NYC style, the classic naturals of Chanel, and the timelessness of a LBD, black is the core shade in my closet that I wear more than anything else. It’s a color, or rather a non-color, that has the versatility to work with everything and always manages to look polished and elevated.
Lately, however, I’ve been gravitating more towards navy. With the rising influence of preppy style from brands such as Ralph Lauren and Celine, my moodboards are increasingly edging out black with navy. Pieces such as double-breasted jackets with gold buttons, kick flare pants, suede handbags, and sneakers are all landing on my shopping list in shades of navy. As style shifts away from the stark minimalism of past years, I’m predicting that we’ll see navy emerge as the luxe neutral to own. Ahead, my list of the best navy shopping items on the market now.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany Co., and her style has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.