Media Platforms Design Team
Introducing the first installment in a new column where we provide the answers to your most pressing sartorial inquiries. Tweet with the hashtag #ESQuestion to tell us what you want to know.
Is it navy or is it black? Seems like a simple question, but as any guy who's ever tried to distinguish between the two in a dimly lit bedroom before heading to work will tell you: It's not. When you look at it on its own, a very dark blue can easily look black — and vice versa. Hell, midnight blue actually appears darker than black in certain lights, hence the creation of stylish tuxes like the Mr Porter-exclusive style from Brioni you see at left here. So, what's a guy to do when he's rummaging through his dresser and trying to grab the right color? There are a couple of easy tricks:
Put Things In Context
Probably the best way to tell whether your garment of choice is, in fact, black (or navy), is to compare it to another piece of clothing, the color of which should be beyond question. You know, something with the word "black" or "noir" actually written on an interior label somewhere. A standard of comparison, if you will. Then, well, compare the colors. Do they match? Your pants, sir, are black. And if the item in question looks just a little bit lighter, and probably a little bit richer, too? You've got navy. Simple. Maybe even painfully self-evident. But in the interest of public service, we're letting you know anyway.
Get Some Sunlight on the Subject
Here's the thing about black clothing: The color flattens out under natural light. It doesn't look as dark, and gets (slightly) closer to gray. On the other side of the coin, navy blue clothes actually get a bit more depth of character when the sun hits 'em. So, if you're not able to rely on the compare-and-contrast method, just open up those curtains and let Mother Nature guide you on your way to a properly coordinated palette.
Yes, there are probably other ways to solve this problem — divining rod, spectral analysis — but these methods should serve you well next time color confusion sets in.
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