Master this tricky colour combination with these three nifty style suggestions.

Black and blue is something of a counter-intuitive combination. It shouldn’t work, and, yes, often doesn’t, given that normally when mixing colours it’s best to go for a clear contrast (as with white and navy, or khaki green and beige). But if you strike the correct balance between these two fail-safe tones, it’s often to the benefit of both. A navy blazer looks all the more sleek when accessorised with a black T-shirt or belt. Black, meanwhile will look more intense and graphic next to navy. What’s more, if you care about such things, a combination of the two will look much richer and more textured in photographs than black alone – see the black-and-blue tuxedo Mr Miles Teller wore to the 2016 Met Gala for proof. Of course, the main risk here is loading yourself with too many moody tones and looking like a walking black hole. Scroll down to discover three ways in which you can avoid such disturbances of the space-time continuum.

Acne Studios’ superlative shearling jacket is both fantastically cosy and unimpeachably rugged, thanks to its resemblance to a classic RAF flying jacket. But you might not immediately describe it as “sharp” or “crisp”. Which is where Ermenegildo Zegna’s premium take on the T-shirt comes in. Because it’s rendered in merino wool, this piece both provides warmth and sits a little more smoothly on the torso than your regular jersey variety (a special consideration when wearing it under a hefty jacket like this). The deep navy colour helps to dismiss all the sepia-tinged vintage associations of the jacket, resulting in an overall look that is brilliantly sleek and contemporary.

As mentioned above, it’s easy to overdo black and blue, so a good first step can be simply to add a black accessory, such as a belt, to a blue blazer. The closer each colour is to the other, the subtler the effect, which is why, in this case, we’re recommending what might be termed a “light” black belt from Anderson’s with a classic blazer from Saturdays NYC in a particularly rich midnight blue. Combine both with a pair of chinos in a slightly lighter navy to add an extra touch of depth to your everyday office outfit.

Want to look a little smarter at the weekend? Try a pair of these attractively minimal navy suede sneakers from superlative outerwear brand Moncler. Such is the crisp effect of their dark blue hue, they will make even a washed pair of black jeans seem that little bit more evening-ready. Additionally, they can easily be dressed up or down to fit the occasion – wear with a white T-shirt and throw on a knitted blazer depending on the developing ritziness of your night.