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