The Gray, Cream, and Navy Items I Swear Out-Rich Every Other Color Trend (Yes, Even Black)
Black is the most classic color in fashion for a reason. It looks chic no matter what form it takes, whether you're dressed up in a timeless black dress or more casually in leggings, a leather jacket, and ballet flats. Even so, the recent popularity spike of alternative neutrals like cream, navy, and gray has forced fashion to question whether black is the superior color in every way. If you ask me, all three of the hues mentioned above beat out black in at least one category. They all look more expensive, and right now, the richer an item appears, the more shoppers want it.
To help bring up the value of your wardrobe one gray, cream, or navy piece at a time, I went ahead and hand-curated a well-rounded collection of items in all three colors, with options ranging from $22 H&M waistcoats to a $2270 viral Alaïa shoulder bag. Essentially, there's something sumptuous for everyone, no matter your budget. Without further ado, let the 30 items in 2025's richest-looking color trends up your closet's worth by a few zeroes.
Navy
This is easily my most-worn and most-complimented cashmere sweater. I have it in charcoal gray, too. Perhaps cream is next.
Everyone should already own at least one barn jacket by now. Hell, I have three of them.
Gray
Cream
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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