Fashion & Beauty

The Power of Navy

September 3, 2024

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VP Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama at DNC

Left: Presidential candidate Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention (DNC)/ photo from @kamalaharris Instagram account. Right: Former First Lady Michelle Obama at the DNC/ photo from @michelleobama Instagram account.

By Janet Kelly

SHE’S wearing a black suit,” declared my husband, referring to Kamala Harris’s attire on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Soon after a friend texted me, “What do you think of Kamala’s black suit?”

“It’s NAVY,” I told them as I noted that Harris’s custom Chloé suit and crêpe de chine blouse were the same color as Michelle Obama’s Monse jacket and pants. Is navy the new black? Dunno, but navy is a formal, serious color without being funereal, never mind draining for faces of grown-up girls. It suited 50-somethings Harris and Obama, who gave powerful speeches while looking confident and in command.

That got me to thinking about fall wardrobe updates. Black is not going away anytime soon (my black jackets are in no danger of being tossed), but for the nonce navy’s on my mind.

Here, 13 items I’m zeroing in on.

 

Model wearing Me + Em Cotton Blend Suit Set

Me + Em Cotton Blend Sharp Shoulder Blazer and Me + Em Cotton Blend Denim Straight Crop Pant

Here’s what I want for fall—a suit for many occasions. It’s structured and polished but still wearable with sneakers. Me +Em’s blazer is $545; the coordinating straight crop pant is $227.50.

 

 

Model wearing navy blue Monse jacket and trousers

Monse Criss Cross Jacket and Tuxedo Cuff Trousers

Michelle Obama paired her powerful words with a deconstructed men’s suit from Monse’s 2025 Resort collection at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

 

 

J.Crew navy blue relaxed trench coat

J.Crew Relaxed Trench Coat in Lightweight Shiny Nylon

AJLT it feels like fall this week, and I can her my mother talking about what to wear when the seasons change. I might even welcome raindrops in J. Crew’s new nylon trench ($328) in unexpected navy with bright white buttons and stitching.

 

 

Everlane navy and black shirt

Everlane Silky Cotton Relaxed Shirt Navy/Black
Michelle Obama gave the blessing to the black-and-blue combo with the cuffs on her midnight blue trousers. Feel free to do the same in Everlane’s snazzy shirt. It’s on sale for $66.

 

 

navy pea coat from L.L. Bean

L.L.Bean Classic Lambswool Peacoat

Miuccia Prada gave a thumbs-up to the return of the peacoat on both her Prada and Miu Miu fall 2024 runways. She showed them with a gray hoodie. I think I’ll do the same but save thousands with L.L. Bean’s version for $249.

 

 

Blue and white striped sweater

Jacquemus Marina Wool-Blend Sweater

This striped sweater looks cozy (made of soft mohair and merino wool) but still so chic. The cropped hem and the split neck make it work.

 

 

Vera Bradley navy blue small belt bag

Vera Bradley Woodward Small Belt Bag 

I associate Vera Bradley with floral and paisley print bags, so I was surprised when a friend told me her bag I was admiring came from that same Vera. I like spacious totes but when I only need to carry a few essentials, I’d be happy to have this svelte crossbody belt bag ($40).

 

 

Navy blue cashmere v-neck from Uniqlo

Cashmere V-Neck Sweater

About five years ago, my husband said he had enough navy blue sweaters and passed this one to me. I still love wearing it with a white T-shirt underneath and over jeans. It sells for $99 at Uniqlo. (BTW, Clare Wright Keller of Givenchy and Chloé fame has just been named Uniqlo’s creative director.)

 

 

navy blue relaxed silk pants from Jenni Kayne

Jenni Kayne Relaxed Trouser

I had been eyeing Ayr’s Voila pants in black silk, but Jenni Kayne’s high-waisted, wide-leg pleated pants come in more versatile navy for the same $295 price tag.

 

 


H&M navy twill cropped jacket

H&M Twill Jacket

Note to self: H&M’s cropped jacket with gold buttons will look great with the gray we all bought last winter. It sells for $66.99.

 

 

Nikki Chasin navy dress with appliqué

Nikki Chasin Twirling Dress Navy Zig Zag Appliqué

I’m always scrambling for something to wear for the Jewish holidays. This Nikki Chasin dress ($388) with a slightly oversize fit in heavyweight cotton will be perfect for early October. And it has pockets.

 

 

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6 thoughts on “The Power of Navy

  1. Christine Singer says:

    Love Navy! Kinder to gray hair and softer make-up yet packs a punch (witness Michelle!) Navy somehow makes black seem static and impersonal. Navy reaches out warmly but also projects strength and confidence.

    1. Janet Kelly says:

      Yes, Christine, navy is way kinder than black to faces of grown-up girls. Michelle and Kamala looked terrific in their suits.

  2. Bonnie Casper says:

    Janet – yay for Navy! As a child my mother never put black on me because she said black was not for little girls – or big ones with my coloring (auburn hair). My grandmother, who was a milliner, always said I should wear navy or even brown as my “black.” To this day, I hesitate to wear all black. I found this summer that J McLaughlin had a lot of items in navy or colors that paired well with navy. And I loved Michelle Obama’s suit. Onward into fall with navy!

    Bonnie C.

    1. Janet Kelly says:

      Bonnie, I agree. Black is not for little girls and it has become harder for us grown-up girls to wear. Hooray for navy, yes!

  3. Nancy G says:

    Loved Michele Obama’s suit at the DNC. And Kamala looked great, too. Navy is an elegant alternative to the usual black, I think. I’ve got an old J Crew navy blazer I’ll resurrect for fall, along with a gray hoodie. And Uniglo cashmere is always good for the price point.

    1. Janet Kelly says:

      Navy and gray are looking good to my eye. I also like navy with yellow, pink and black, too. I have a silk navy blouse with a pussy bow in black that I love.
      Thanks for chiming in, Nancy.

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