How to wear dark blue

You might have an aversion to dark blue because it makes you feel like you've just joined the forces or been promoted to head nurse. You might even be a head nurse, but that doesn't mean you have to wear dark blue as though it's a uniform.

There are many different shades of dark blue and once you have found your shade you will wear it again and again.

In general, dark blues work well with other darker colours. Susannah, for instance, finds that wearing a brighter royal blue and a deep burgundy lifts and intensifies her french navy clothing, while a pale beige provides a sophisticated contrast.

Trinny cannot wear french navy at all, but she looks sumptuous in slate blue.

At all costs, avoid the cliché of dark blue with white - unless you're actually planning to weigh anchor and set sail.