As a fashion-conscious professional, you likely put thought into coordinating your wardrobe for important events or meetings. When wearing a blue suit, one of the most classic menswear pieces, it’s only natural to ponder which tie will complement the look best. While there’s no single right or wrong answer, some general guidelines can help you make an informed decision.
The Fundamentals of Color Coordination
When matching colors in an outfit, the overarching goal is to create a cohesive, polished look. You want colors that are complementary without being overly matchy-matchy. As a general rule of thumb for formal business attire:
- Stick to a palette of 2-3 colors
- Choose a darker color as your foundation (i.e. the suit)
- Add lighter accents with your shirt and tie
With a navy or dark blue suit, white or light blue shirts make natural complementary choices. From there, you have multiple options for your tie color while keeping the palette refined.
Does a Blue Tie Work with a Blue Suit?
A blue necktie is not off limits with a navy or dark blue suit, but the shades should differ enough to create sufficient contrast. Here are some combinations that work:
| Suit Color | Tie Color |
| Navy | Sky blue |
| Dark blue | Light blue |
| Royal blue | Baby blue |
Pairing a lighter blue tie with a darker blue suit keeps the look sophisticated and polished. Stay away from ties in identical or extremely similar shades of blue, as they can blur together and look monotonous.
Alternative Tie Options for a Blue Suit
While blue on blue can work nicely, it’s not your only option. Here are some other tie colors that pair well with navy, royal, or dark blue suits:
- Silver or gray: These neutral tones balance the cool blue hues perfectly. A silver tie with a navy suit is a foolproof pairing for important business meetings or events.
- Burgundy or wine red: The contrast of a deep red adds interest and dimension. This color combo evokes a refined, professional aesthetic.
- Yellow: From bright canary to pastel shades, yellow makes a vibrant accent color that exudes confidence.
- Pink: From light pink to deep fuchsia, a pink tie injects warmth and energy into a formal blue ensemble.
- Patterned ties: Small-scale patterns like checks, stripes, or dots in complementary colors work well. They add visual appeal while maintaining a polished look.
Factors to Consider in Choosing a Tie
Beyond just color, a few other factors come into play when selecting a tie for your navy or blue suit:
- Occasion: Consider the formality and time of day. For daytime business affairs, stick to more subtle colors and patterns. Save bright hues and bold prints for evening events.
- Skin tone: Cool blues and grays tend to suit men with cooler skin tones, while warm tones like pink, yellow, and burgundy complement warmer complexions.
- Industry norms: Some more traditional fields tend to adhere to conservative pairing like navy suits with red or silver ties.
- Personal preference: While adhering to some core wardrobe rules, don’t be afraid to express your personal style.
Tie Fabrics, Textures & Patterns
Beyond color, tie choice entails deciding on fabric, texture, and patterns. Again, formality and occasion make a difference here. For daytime business wear, suitable tie fabrics and textures include:
- Smooth silks
- Fine wools
- Cotton blends
- Linens or textured silk for more casual warm-weather affairs
As for patterns, small-scale geometrics, stripes, or paisleys work better for professional settings than loud novelty prints. Save the boldly patterned ties for evening social functions where you can be more adventurous.
Finding the Right Blue Tie for Your Complexion
If you decide to go the blue-on-blue route, make sure to choose tie shades that complement your complexion. Here are some flattering tie colors for different skin tones:
| Skin Tone | Flattering Blue Tie Shades |
| Fair or pink | Baby blue, periwinkle, light azure |
| Light or olive | Royal blue, French blue, electric blue |
| Medium or beige | Navy, cobalt, slate blue |
| Dark or brown | Bright blue, aqua, teal |
Aim for ties a few shades lighter or darker than your natural skin tone for a harmonious balance. Testing out different blue ties and getting a second opinion can help you identify the most flattering match.
In Conclusion
Pairing a blue tie with a blue suit is absolutely acceptable if done tastefully. For best results, opt for shades of blue that contrast enough to avoid looking monochromatic. But don’t feel limited to blue-on-blue combinations. Ties in colors like gray, silver, burgundy, pink, yellow, and subtle patterns offer plenty of stylish options for finishing off a navy, royal, or dark blue suit with panache.
Most importantly, choose tie colors, patterns, and fabrics that fit the occasion, flatter your complexion, and express your personal style. With the right complementary tie choice, you can look sharp and polished in a blue suit for any professional occasion.
