Yale blue and navy blue are two colors with similar vibrancy. While they both share a deep hue, they have distinct differences in their shades and tones.
Yale blue is lighter, brighter and more vibrant than navy blue. On the other hand, navy blue is darker, richer, and less bright.
It is interesting to see how these two colors can be so similar yet so different at the same time!
Read on below, explore our in-depth yale blue vs navy blue comparison – decide which shade of blue is right for you!
Differences Between Yale Blue vs Navy Blue
The similarities between yale blue and navy blue can be deceiving. While they share a deep hue, there are distinct differences in their shades and tones.
In this section, we’ll discuss the differences between these two colors in more detail:
Yale Blue
Yale blue is lighter, brighter and more vibrant than navy blue. It has a lightness level of 84 percent, while navy blue’s lightness is only 51 percent.
The saturation of Yale blue is 100 percent, making it a very vivid color.
Navy Blue
Navy blue is darker, richer and less bright than Yale blue.
Its lightness level is only 51 percent, making it much darker than its counterpart. Its saturation rate is 91 percent – slightly lower than that of Yale blue’s saturation rate.
Hex Codes
Knowing the proper hex codes is the only way to ensure that your designs feature the precise shades you desire.
For navy blue and yale blue, their respective codes are:
- Yale Blue’s Hex Code: #00356B
- Navy Blue’s Hex Code: #003f87
Psychological Connotations of Each Color: What Each Color Communicates
The colors yale blue and navy blue each have distinct psychological connotations that affect how they are perceived and interpreted.
In this section, we will discuss what each color communicates to the viewer:
Yale Blue
Yale blue is a bright and optimistic hue. It often conveys feelings of youthfulness, energy, enthusiasm, and hope.
It can be seen as a symbol of progress and ambition.
Navy Blue
Navy blue can be seen as serious and professional. It often communicates strength, power, dependability and trustworthiness.
Navy blue can also be associated with authority, tradition, intelligence, seriousness, and sophistication.
Popular Usage
Yale blue and navy blue are two popular blue hues that have many uses in fashion, design, and home decor.
In this section, we will discuss how each shade of blue is being used in these three areas.
Fashion
Yale blue is a popular choice for clothing because of its bright and cheery energy. It can be seen often on t-shirts, skirts, blazers, sweaters, jackets, and accessories such as scarves or hats.
Navy blue is also popularly used in clothing for its strong connotations of authority and trustworthiness. It can be seen in suits, dress shirts, blazers and trousers.
Design
Yale blue is commonly used in website designs because of the feeling of progress that it conveys. Its bright energy also relates well to technology and modernity.
Navy blue is a popular choice for logo designs due to its authoritative connotations that convey strength and trustworthiness.
Home Decor
Both yale blue and navy blue are great choices for home décor since they both relate to classic design schemes like minimalism or nautical designs.
Yale blue can add a splash of energy to any room while navy blue lends itself well to more serious tones with its strong professional feel.
Origins of Each Color
Colors have been used since the dawn of time to express a wide range of emotions, ideas and feelings.
Throughout history, each color has developed its own unique associations, deeply rooted in culture and tradition.
Here, we’ll explore the origins and significance behind two shades of blue: Yale Blue and Navy Blue.
Yale Blue
Yale Blue is a medium shade of azure first developed by a professor from Yale University in 1894 who was attempting to create a unique school color for his alma mater!
From that point forward it became used heavily around campus — primarily featured on team apparel for their various athletic teams competing in intercollegiate events such as football & basketball.
Navy Blue
Navy blue can trace its origin back to the 1700s when sailors in the British Royal Navy started wearing clothing made out of this particular color of ink-washed fabric.
This helped them blend in better with their aquatic surroundings while also looking uniformed/professional as they navigated through treacherous waters!
Later on, around 1940s this hue quickly rose into mainstream fashion trends being utilized oftentimes within business attire & church uniforms alike – even today its usage remains ever so popular amongst many clothing styles worldwide!
FAQs about Yale Blue vs Navy Blue
What’s the difference between Yale Blue and Navy Blue?
The key difference between the two colors is their shade. Yale Blue has a medium tone of azure, while Navy Blue is a darker shade of blue.
When did each color originate?
Yale Blue was first developed by a professor from Yale University in 1894, and Navy Blue originated with sailors in the British Royal Navy during the 1700s.
How common are these colors today?
Both shades of blue remain popular today, particularly within modern fashion trends! While Yale Blue often appears on team apparel for athletic teams at universities, Navy Blue is widely used in business attire and church uniforms all over the world.
Daniela Corango loves to see the color in all things. She’s passionate about fashion, and interior design. She recently moved to New York and lives with her 2 dogs Peppy and Cinnamon.