costard cravate rouge de la marque Jack & Jones

How to Match a Men’s Tie with a Shirt and Suit?

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When it comes to masculine elegance, the choice of tie and its coordination with the shirt and suit is crucial. Whether you are a fan of classic style or looking to stand out, it is essential to know a few rules to ensure you don’t make any missteps. In this article, we will guide you step by step to successfully achieve the perfect combination of tie, shirt, and suit.

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1. Matching Your Tie to Your Shirt
2. How to Match Your Tie with Your Suit?
3. How to Achieve a Cohesive Look with Tie, Suit, and Shirt?
4. And What About the Bow Tie?

Matching Your Tie to Your Shirt

Basic Principles for Tie and Shirt Coordination

To properly match your tie with your shirt, keep a few simple rules in mind: complementary colors and patterns. Don’t hesitate to play with contrasts, but without overdoing it. For example, if you’re wearing a striped shirt, choose a solid tie or one with subtle patterns.

keanu reeves cravate pois — Keanu Reeves with a polka dot tie
Source: Pinterest

Solid Shirt and Tie

With a solid shirt, dare to wear patterned or striped ties to add a touch of originality. For example, pair a white shirt with a blue polka dot tie for a look that is both classic and modern. For colored shirts, consider tone-on-tone or complementary colors to create a harmonious ensemble.

Brown silk tie by Hugo Boss — Patterned shirt with a brown silk tie by Hugo Boss

The Original Look: What Tie with a Patterned Shirt?

For the bolder individuals, pair a patterned shirt with a solid tie or one with subtle patterns. Make sure the colors match well and that the patterns are not too similar. For example, with a red and black plaid shirt, opt for a black tie with a discreet pattern or a solid one.

How to Match Your Tie with Your Suit?

Black silk tie from Ted Baker — Blue suit with a beautiful black silk tie

What Tie with a Blue Suit?

With a blue suit, choose a navy blue, red, gray, or even black tie. You can also opt for a striped or subtly patterned tie to add depth to your outfit. A navy grenadine tie or a tie with white and blue polka dots are elegant options.

What Tie with a Black Suit?

The black suit is a classic that pairs well with a multitude of ties. For an elegant look, opt for a black, gray, or green tie. For a bolder look, choose a tie with colorful patterns, such as a red and white polka dot tie.

Burgundy silk tie for men by Ted Baker — Burgundy tie by Ted Baker

What Tie with a Gray Suit?

The gray suit pairs well with blue, green, red, or even purple ties. Don’t hesitate to play with patterns to bring dynamism to your outfit. For instance, a navy herringbone tie or a tie with gray and red stripes are excellent options.

costume motifs cravate noire — Solid black tie with a plaid suit
Source: Pinterest

costume motifs avec cravate motifs — Solid black tie with a plaid suit
Source: Pinterest

What Tie with a Patterned Suit?

Match your patterned suit with a solid tie or one with subtle patterns. Ensure that the colors complement each other and that the patterns are not too similar to avoid a “too busy” effect. For instance, if you’re wearing a striped suit, opt for a solid tie or one with a discreet geometric pattern that doesn’t compete with the stripes of the suit.

What Tie with an Exotic Suit?

For an exotic suit, choose a solid tie in bright colors or a tie with original patterns. Don’t hesitate to experiment to find the perfect combo, but make sure to maintain some harmony in colors and patterns to avoid going overboard.

To learn more, discover how to wear a tie for men.

How to Achieve a Cohesive Look with Tie, Suit, and Shirt?

Combining Patterns Between Suit, Tie, and Shirt

The art of combining patterns lies in balance. If you are wearing a patterned shirt and suit, opt for a solid tie to avoid an overly busy look. When mixing different patterns, ensure to maintain a certain hierarchy, prioritizing one dominant pattern and secondary patterns that are less prominent.

outfit gray suit white shirt and red tie — Men’s outfit with a red tie
Source: Pinterest

Black suit with sky blue tie and white shirt — Men’s outfit with a red tie
Source: Pinterest

Combining Colors Between Each Piece of Your Outfit

Match the colors of your tie, suit, and shirt while respecting color harmonies. For example, a burgundy tie pairs well with a white shirt and a gray suit. Don’t forget to consider the color of your shoes and accessories for a harmonious look.

Will Smith in a suit tie and shirt outfit — Will Smith in a suit with a different patterned tie and white shirt
Source: Pinterest

The Art of Combining Three Different Patterns to Stand Out

For those who love to take risks, combine three different patterns while respecting colors and pattern scales. For example, a finely striped suit, a solid white shirt, and a tie with exotic patterns can create an elegant and original outfit.

Sometimes, it’s essential to know the different materials of ties to choose the right one. Discover which tie materials to choose based on your desires and needs!

Blue, white, and yellow patterned bowtie from Atelier F&B — Bowtie with blue, white, and yellow patterns from Atelier F&B

And What About the Bow Tie?

The bow tie is a chic and trendy alternative to the tie. To match it with your shirt and suit, follow the same rules as for the tie: color harmony, balance of patterns, and respect for the overall outfit.

Matching your tie to your shirt and suit is not rocket science if you respect a few simple rules of color and pattern harmony. Dare to make original combinations and remember to adapt your look based on the circumstances and your personality. This way, you will always be elegant and trendy, no matter the context.