The Blackest of Dark Navy Blues

The tone of navy blue so often used in the United Kingdom is almost the same colour as the black blue of the Royal Navy or Police services uniforms. The navy even looks black under some lights. When you are in a dark shop, sometimes the only way one can tell the colour really is navy is to look at the wording on the label.



So in Britain, blue black is mostly used, but the nautical style also embraces the much lighter French navy, Italian navy and denim blue too. This navy blue is further confused by retailers also stocking the same style, but in a black and white version. The Principles jacket design, left, is actually black, but the theme is clearly intended to be perceived as ship-shape nautical smart.



Keep the jewellery to a minimum, but add a simple gold necklace to upgrade your nautical style from casual to chic. This classic look will take you into superior venues when crumpled cargo pants will leave you refused entry outside that gated 5 star hotel.

Like many of the main high street retailers Principles are also stocking some very similar white sailor trousers (not shown) and with a high deep waistband, which feature three nautical contrast buttons.

Nautical trousers may have contrast saddle stitching, or sailor flap front button decoration. The trousers can be cropped at any point on the leg and the variety of nautical is so great, that it is not difficult to select the leg style length that flatters your body shape.

For a fast fashion cropped option, like these denim culotte pants above right, look no further than Matalan - Denim Culottes £12. Again I think these look like a great item for weekends as well as a relaxing seaside holiday.
A skirt such as this one shown right, can work just as well as trousers or shorts. Some women feel happiest in a skirt and others prefer trousers. Isn't it wonderful we have so many options compared to women of 100 years ago. This skirt is from Penneys (Ireland) Spring 2008 Collection.Striped hem skirt with tie belt €13.00.