[Flanderian]

IMHO, it's suboptimal. An aesthetically successful pairing comes from an harmonious contrast. This harmonious contrast can be provided by several characteristics, but the two most notable are color and tone. The terms navy and charcoal are each frequently used to describe cloths that in actuality are quite different one from the other in either color, tone or both. Color means the actual shade of the cloth, were tone means lighter or darker. If the navy and charcoal have enough harmonious difference in either or both between jacket and trousers, I tend to find the pairing attractive, if not, I don't.

 

[Flanderian]

I just choose a Navy Sport Coat and charcoal herringbone trousers to hand out my chocolates this years. Mainly featuring a Brooks Red/Navy and Yellow plaid tie.

Sounds very handsome! 👍 I think this is likely an example of introducing pattern, and likely texture, as the necessary elements of contrast.

 

[Flanderian]

For a walk on the wild side, Chipp once had a considerable range of very fine quality flannel trousers in traditional tartans. I was fortunate to have a pair in the Lindsay Tartan -

It and the equally handsome Black Watch Tartan -

are examples of a bit quieter tartans that combine handsomely with navy blazers when discreetly accessorized.

 

[Flanderian]

I tend toward a mid gray on the darker side. I also wear a nice prince of wales black and white with a dark navy blazer. Both weave and texture are a bit different.

Cambridge grey?

 

[Flanderian]

yep. (getting older one tends to forget names.) Thanks.

Gotten older, have forgotten lots of stuff.

Wife and I will watch a film in which I know the actors, but can't remember their names. Sometimes I'll remember the first letter, tell my wife, and she provides the names of some actors whose names begin with that letter. No, it's not a game, it's my life.

😆 😆 😆

 

[Flanderian]

Now I'm curious as to the actual shade we're talking about.

I googled cambridge grey trousers and found this shade. To me, this is a mid-grey.

Then there is this shade, which looks more like charcoal grey to my eyes.

The use of the term will vary by user depending upon what they wish to accomplish, and their knowledge of what the actual color is.

I think it's fair to describe it as a darker medium grey, lighter than charcoal.

I would consider this a reasonable example of what comes to mind for me.

 

[Flanderian]

Prince of Wales checks

Very smart, I think. I once had a pair of small scale black and white houndstooth trousers that paired well with a navy blazer. Read as Oxford grey from more than a few feet.