7 Ways to Wear Navy and Black Together

by Kim "Kimmay" Caldwell liveaboutdotcom

When elevating your wardrobe some questions may come up, like "is wearing navy and black together ok?". In fashion there are no hard and steady rules, but this topic seems to be one where people are most afraid to commit a fashion "don't". Most stylists agree that this color combination is a great choice. "Many people think that you can’t wear navy and black together, but that is a fashion myth", says NYC Personal Stylist, Cassandra Sethi, founder of Next Level Wardrobe. She goes on to say, "black and navy look stunning together—it is very sophisticated and flatters all body types. It is a great color combination throughout the year."

Convinced? If you want to try wearing black and navy blue clothing together below are some top tips from stylists along with a few great wardrobe pieces to get started.

Go Overseas and High End

Diane Roth, owner of L'Armoire and celebrity stylist, said: "Navy and black are staple colors in Europe and Asia. Most European tweeds and patterns have both incorporated in them. When you put the two together be careful that the navy is the black based dye and not a red base”. She states most American navy colors use a red base, so try purchasing from European designers or investing in high end tweeds and materials.

She adds to keep a color ratio in mind when wearing both navy and black. “Most combos work best when you have two thirds of one color and one third of the other. That way you don't look like you dressed in the dark. It has to look planned, not done in error.” So do a little math and plan ahead to keep yourself looking your best. Her best trick for this look? “ Have a scarf or shawl to tie the two colors together more.” Try out the looks here from L'Armoire, and Max Mara.

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Diane Roth Combines Horse Sense With Fashion Sense

Horse. Of the millions of words in the English language, this was Diane Roth’s first uttering — a word, mind you, that completely perplexed her urbanite parents, who found the equestrian term to be nearly as foreign as a word spoken in an entirely different language.

Nonetheless, despite her parents’ confusion, horses became a lifelong passion for Diane, who grew up happily horse-obsessed.

After her first ride at 6 years old, her passion for all kinds of horses continued to mount. She dabbled in hunters and jumpers, competed in 4-H with a Morgan pony named Peter Pan and yelled “tally-ho” during foxhunting trips in the Northeast.

As an adult, Diane found a talent for and love of dressage when a friend connected her with Olympic dressage rider extraordinaire Lendon Gray who, after evaluating Diane’s potential, took Diane under her wing. Fondly calling dressage a mind game, Diane says she quickly found joy and peace through the sport, as well as kinship with Lendon.

Diane and her Lusitano stallion, José
Photo by Mimi Forer

“It’s great for discipline,” she said. “You’re so in-tune with the horse on so many levels.” Laughing, she added that dressage is also much easier on her body than some disciplines of choice from her younger years. “When you’re young,” she said, “you bounce. When you’re old, you break.” So nowadays, Diane prefers the grace of dressage maneuvers to the youthful exhilaration of jumping.

Furthermore, Diane explains, dressage is undeniably good for the soul — which is why she doesn’t mind the early mornings she spends with her gorgeous Lusitano stallion, José. Each day, after her morning coffee, she arrives at the barn at 6:30 a.m., when she says the only humans to be found are “me and the mucker.”

“You can see the sun coming through the trees as it comes up,” she said of her early-morning rides. “You feel so close to God and nature, and you have to focus. It clears your brain.”

This calming effect is perfect for the busy professional, who, when she isn’t at the stable, is busy running her business, L’Armoire in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Photo by Mimi Forer

Fashion Sense
Her business, which has been operational for more than 30 years, is a destination boutique devoted to dressing women for every occasion, from the Oscars to equestrian banquets and everything in between. Her favorite events to dress women for, though, are — hands-down — derbies, like the world-famous Kentucky Derby. “That’s a riot,” she said, alluding to the grandiose hats the races are famous for.

No matter what she dresses women for, though, Diane simply loves the impact fashion can have on someone’s confidence. “If you make a woman look her best,” Diane said, “she can conquer the world.”

Oddly enough, unlike with Diane’s love of horses, her passion for fashion didn’t come early on. In fact, she said, she was quite the tomboy and only fell into fashion when she discovered an aptitude for it while working retail.

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Small retailers aim for emotional ties big chains may lack

Diane Roth uses service all year long to create a connection with customers. The owner of clothing boutique L'Armoire in New Canaan, Connecticut, Roth acts as much a concierge as a retailer. She'll allow customers to take several garments home to try on — or she'll send the clothes to their houses. She'll open as early as 5 a.m. so people can drop off unwanted items on their way to the nearby commuter train station. Customers send her photos of something they like, and ask her to find something similar.

"I have a lot of executive women customers who don't have time," Roth says. "I'm like a personal assistant."

Everybody is running for the exits at Marchesa

On Wednesday, it was announced that Helzberg Diamonds had canceled a collaboration with Marchesa that was due to hit stores this month.

Now, wedding stylist Diane Lloyd Roth, owner of L’Armoire clothing boutique in New Canaan, Conn., told The Post that clients are turning their backs on the fashion brand’s pricey bridal gown collection.

“I tell my brides to bring [pages] from magazines, and [Marchesa is] always included. [Some clients] were going to go look at Marchesa … and now they’re getting cold feet,” she said. “They don’t want the association. The first question when someone’s getting married is, ‘Who are you wearing?’”

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Vote For L'Armoire!

Last year we won Best of the Gold Coast for our Estate Jewelry! Please vote for us again under 'Fashion' - Designer Boutique, Cocktail, Gala Black Tie, and under 'Jewelry' - Estate Jewelry.

Voting Ends Wednesday, March 15th.

Here is the link and THANK YOU ALL: http://bestofgoldcoast.secondstreetapp.com/l/Best-of-Voting-2017/Ballot/Fashion

Puppies Behind Bars Fundraiser at L'Armoire

Diane Roth, Owner L'Armoire in New Canaan, Connecticut hosted a fundraiser for Puppies Behind Bars. Over $10k was raised during the evening.

Party Pics from our 30th Birthday Celebrations

Thank you New Canaan Darien Magazine for covering our party last year. Great images taken by Jeanna Shepard!

We are hosting a Derby Themed Fundraiser for the New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT) on Thursday, April 28th between 5 - 8pm.
New York-based milliner - Ellen Christine – will be back to show off her stunning Spring / Summer collection. Also joining in the fun will be makeup artist to the stars - Kevin James Bennett, who is a multiple Emmy Award winner with over three decades of makeup experience. Enjoy light bites by Gates, drinks by Broken Shed Vodka and special prizes. Beval Saddlery of New Canaan is supporting the event, and will raffle off a gift basket to benefit NCMT that night

http://www.newcanaandarienmag.com/n/Party-Pics-2015/LArmoire-30-Year-Anniversary-and-Glass-House-Fundraiser/