When it comes to matching ties with the shirt it seems easy but practically its way more confusing and frustrating than understanding a car’s engine.
Surely men wear neckties on shirts and they must look attractive but if it is by coincidence then it might not happen always. What if you wanted to ensure every time you picked a right tie colour and pattern to match with the right shirt, this is where StyleShark steps in.
No matter how expensive the tie is, a mismatched colour or wrong pattern will fail it.
Common mistakes men make while picking a tie
- A wrong contrasting colour with the shirt
- Very busy patterns that look heavy on their body
- Animal prints or other printed objects just look awkward
- Disproportional width to the jackets lapel width
- Disproportional width to their body shape or torso. A large man wearing a thin tie [1.5- 2 inches] or a slim man wearing a very wide tie[4-5 inches]
- Tie colour against their complexion. Red or deep orange ties which do not flatter them
- Wrong tie length. Either too long or too short
Points to consider while picking a tie
- It should be well coordinating colour or pattern
- Tie width should match the jacket’ lapel width
- As minimum colours as possible in a patterned tie
- Don’t pick too busy patterns
- Pick a tie length, when tied, should reach the buckle of belt
It’s a taxing job to define rules to match ties and shirts and suit jackets together. Yet via study of colours and patterns and vigorous exercise one can conclude some basic rules to create nice combinations of all three pieces.
Kindly note as you navigate the text
- There is no end to colour shades and patterns. Here only particular colours and patterns have been mentioned to define some basic rules.
- All points and facts have been supported by images.
- Read and observe images as you go.
- If you want real understanding of the text. Practice different outfits at home with your collection.
- You are free to wear any garment or combination of garments at your disposal. Kindly do not take anything for granted. Learn through the article as well as your own experience.
- Clothing is an art and it requires constant application of right information.
This is a step-by-step guide. For better understanding different situations have been explained and illustrated. You may or may not agree to some points here.
Let us begin.
A. Shirt + Tie Combinations
1. Solid Colour Shirt & Solid Colour Tie
The best possible combination in a formal context is solid colour ties on solid colour shirts. This is the most common, most elegant of all and the easiest to match, if you know how.
Top ranking people always wear these combinations as it looks suave and coordinated. Solid colours make clear visual contrast. With only two colours it makes the combination sharp and distinguished.
Common solid tie colours are Black, navy, brown, dark grey, dark blue, violet Red, Burgundy or maroon. Shirt colour may be White, blue all shades, grey, purple, beige, off white, pink.
2. Solid Shirt & Patterned Tie
A patterned necktie on solid shirt is almost as elegant and formal as solid ties. But choose a decent and symmetric design that can be identified easily and colours should add flair to the your look. Generally striped and polka doted ties are two common patterns but one can also choose plaid, diamond pattern, or variegated stripes.
A pattern especially coloured stripes intensify the contrast making the tie appear strikingly attractive. However, it might happen that any wrong colour could diminish the effectiveness of the pattern. Therefore one has to be wise choosing a tie that always looks amazing with multiple shirts.
Generally striped ties having combinations of Burgundy, navy, grey, blue, white, light golden will be suitable options.
3. Patterned Shirt & Solid Tie
This is not so usual among men to wear solid colour neckties on patterned shirts but this combination is just as attractive as above two. Here the key will be right pattern usually a pencil striped shirt, small doted shirt or pin check shirt.
Don’t choose wide stripes or big dots or big checkers. You only want to wear certain muted colour patterns that look nice and appear plain from a distance and don’t overwhelm the necktie at the same time.
For instance a dark grey pencil stripes or mini checker shirt with a black or grey necktie is an example of this. You can also try red, blue, brown pencil stripes.
4. Patterned Shirt & Patterned Tie
Remember : No two patterns should be the same. If patterns seem to clash bring contrasting colours or wear different sizes of the same pattern.
It is the most complex of all. Men mostly make blunders here- they bring busy shirt patterns against heavily patterned ties. Both patterns clash miserably and the outfit loses all its grace.
Always remember shirt covers more area on your torso as compared to tie, which only takes few inches. If you wear heavy dark colourful patterns in shirts and match a tie with a busy pattern, still the tie will be lost in the background of shirt. I hope you understand the point here. This is totally a visual game, gentlemen. You cannot outsmart colour science.
Suit Jacket or Sports Coat with Shirts & Ties
When you are combining suit jacket with a shirt and a tie it is important to know how to match colours or patterns.
It is advisable here not bring three clashing patterns together. At the max two patterns should be noticeable, third one dim to prevent clash. Now the question comes how to do that without compromising style and elegance.
B. Plain Suit Jacket + Shirt + Tie Combinations
1. Plain Suit Jacket with plain shirt and plain tie
This is the most universal trio with two sub categories
- Tie colour exactly or nearly same as the jacket
- Tie colour in contrast to the jacket
Examples
Black suit jacket, white shirt and black tie. Grey suit jacket, white shirt and black tie. Both are good combination and easy to match.
In case of a sports coat you can choose a decent contrasting colour and texture, other factors are the same.
2. Plain Suit Jacket with plain shirt and patterned tie
This is again a versatile set of three pieces and commonly worn by men. Here tie pattern will make the difference. Since the jacket and shirt are plain any striking pattern including striped, doted, paisley will look great. Tie may contain jacket or shirt colour, it is no problem, but other colour/s should be in contrast.
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3. Plain Suit Jacket with Patterned shirt & Plain tie
Since you are matching a patterned shirt with plain suit jacket and tie, keep in mind the shirt pattern should be soft with base colour in clear contrast with other elements. Do not wear larger checks or variegated stripes. All you want is a clear cut look not overriding patterns.
4. Plain Suit Jacket with Patterned shirt & Patterned tie
Follow the simple rules mentioned in point no. 4. You are just adding a plain jacket to this combination. Choose contrasting colours and shirt pattern muted.
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C. Patterned Suit Jacket + Shirt + Tie Combinations
1. Patterned Suit Jacket with plain shirt & plain tie
Men should have no trouble here. Jacket patterns pose no problem in this particular case. You can team any elegant pattern in jackets. Usually a windowpane, plaid or a textured sports jacket are no problem since you are wearing plain shirt and tie. Avoid too loud or bright colours.
2. Patterned Suit Jacket with plain shirt & patterned tie
In the image 2 above a white shirt gives clear background for a red striped tie. Next, there is a clear contrast between tie and suit jacket. That’s what we are looking for, you want all elements to be visible clearly.
Keep the tie pattern small and thin. Try to match tie with the jacket and shirt not vice versa. Since you can replace a tie easily but not a suit jacket or sports jacket. Select colours that coordinate well. Nothing should look out of place.
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3. Patterned Suit Jacket with patterned shirt & plain tie
The concept won’t change in any case so don’t confuse yourself. Patterns must neither clash nor overlap. As shown in the image above. Follow the rules of patterned shirt and plain tie. Choose the base colour of shirt and jacket in contrast so they don’t merge together and enhance each other at the same time.
4. Patterned Suit Jacket with patterned shirt & patterned tie
Nothing to worry. Just keep in mind that you want all three pieces to come together with a sharp contrast, else the concept of three patterns will fail. Any two patterns clashing will defeat the purpose of three patterns.
Don’t wear two same pattern, one immediately over the other. That’s means striped shirt and striped ties. That is a clash. Keep base colour of all three pieces in contrast.
Do not try this if you are content with other options. It might take whole lot time and energy. If you are a modest guy just wear easy combinations.
I have strived hard to put all the jigsaw pieces together to explain this complicated mixing and matching puzzle to you. I have also brought subtle facts that men overlook while matching ties. The mistake starts at the store when you are buying ties. So make sure to overrule your whims of colour and patterns by making wide judgements while selecting ties.
