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 men’s elegance, the choice of tie and its coordination with the shirt and suit are crucial. Whether you’re a fan of classic style or looking to stand out, it’s essential to know a few rules to make sure you don’t make any faux pas. In this article, we’ll guide you step by step to 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 to 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 Pairing

To properly match your tie to your shirt, keep in mind a few simple rules: complementary colors and patterns. Feel free to play with contrasts, but without going overboard. 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 polka dot tie
Source: Pinterest

Tie and Solid Shirt

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

Silk brown tie by Hugo Boss — Patterned shirt with a brown silk tie from Hugo Boss

The Original Look: Which Tie with a Patterned Shirt?

For the more daring, pair a patterned shirt with a solid tie or one with subtle patterns. Make sure the colors blend well and the patterns aren’t too similar. For example, with a red and black checkered shirt, opt for a black tie with a discreet pattern or a solid one.

How to Match Your Tie to Your Suit?

Black silk tie by Ted Baker — Blue suit with beautiful black silk tie

Which Tie with a Blue Suit?

With a blue suit, choose a navy blue, red, gray, or even black tie. You can also pick 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.

Which Tie with a Black Suit?

A black suit is a classic that matches 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 tie with red and white polka dots.

Bordeaux red silk tie for men by Ted Baker — Bordeaux red tie by Ted Baker

Which Tie with a Gray Suit?

A 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 example, a navy chevron tie or a gray and red striped tie are great options.

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

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

Which Tie with a Patterned Suit?

Pair your patterned suit with a solid tie or one with discreet patterns. Ensure the colors complement each other and the patterns aren’t too similar to avoid an “overdone” effect. For example, if you’re wearing a striped suit, opt for a solid tie or one with a subtle geometric pattern that doesn’t compete with the suit’s stripes.

Which Tie with an Exotic Suit?

For an exotic suit, choose a solid tie in bright colors or a tie with unique 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.

For more information, 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’re wearing a patterned shirt and suit, opt for a solid tie to avoid a look that’s too busy. When mixing different patterns, ensure a certain hierarchy, with a dominant pattern and secondary patterns being less pronounced.

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

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

Combining Colors Between Each Piece of Your Outfit

Match the colors of your tie, suit, and shirt by respecting color harmonies. For example, a burgundy tie goes 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 suit tie and shirt outfit — Will Smith in a suit with a patterned tie and white shirt
Source: Pinterest

The Art of Combining Three Different Patterns to Stand Out

For those who like to dare, combine three different patterns, ensuring to respect the colors and scales of patterns. For example, a suit with fine stripes, a solid white shirt, and a tie with exotic patterns can create an elegant and original outfit.

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

Bow tie with blue, white and yellow patterns by Atelier F&B — Bow tie with blue, white, and yellow patterns by 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: harmony of colors, balance of patterns, and respect for the overall outfit.

Matching your tie to your shirt and suit isn’t rocket science if you follow a few simple rules of color and pattern harmony. Dare to make original combinations and don’t forget to adjust your look according to the circumstances and your personality. This way, you’ll always be elegant and trendy, no matter the context.