Choosing the right tie to go with your shirt is an important part of looking sharp. While there are no hard and fast rules, there are some guidelines that can help you pick a tie that complements your shirt.
Quick Overview
As a general rule, your tie should not be the exact same color as your shirt. Having some contrast between the two creates a more interesting and stylish look. However, having colors in the same color family or that are complementary can look very coordinated.
In Depth Explanation
When deciding if your tie should match your shirt, there are a few key considerations:
- Complementary colors vs. matching colors
- Formality of the occasion
- Patterns and textures
- Your personal style
Complementary Colors vs. Matching Colors
Having your tie be an exact match to your shirt generally looks dull and flat. However, coordinate your tie and shirt using complementary colors in the same color family is fine and can look bold and stylish. For example, pairing a royal blue shirt with a teal tie.
Some examples of complementary color combinations:
| Shirt Color | Complementary Tie Colors |
|---|---|
| Navy blue | Burgundy, teal, deep purple |
| Light blue | Navy blue, maroon, gray |
| White | Any color |
| Pink | Navy, maroon, brown |
| Yellow | Navy, gray, maroon |
Having contrast between your tie and shirt creates visual interest. The complementary colors make each piece stand out while still working together as an outfit.
Formality of the Occasion
The formality of the occasion should also guide your choice in whether to match tie and shirt color.
For formal business events like job interviews, client meetings, or formal weddings, it’s best to avoid matching your tie to your shirt exactly. The traditional foolproof choice is a white shirt with a conservative tie in a dark, muted tone like navy, black, or dark gray.
For less formal day-to-day office wear, you have more leeway to be creative. Complementary tie and shirt pairings in brighter, bolder colors can look sharp and stylish for the office. Just keep the overall look polished and avoid overly loud patterns or colors.
Casual weekend wear is where you can have the most fun mixing and matching shirt and tie colors. Feel free to experiment with brighter complementary colors and bold patterns.
Patterns and Textures
If your shirt or tie has a pattern, make sure the two patterns complement but don’t match exactly. For example, pair a checked shirt with a striped or paisley tie. If both pieces have patterns, make sure they are distinctly different patterns and scales. Never do a checked shirt with a checked tie.
Texture is also an important consideration. Pair glossy silk ties with lightweight cotton shirts, and wool ties with heavier oxford shirts. Don’t wear ties and shirts that are too similar in texture as they will blend together.
Your Personal Style
While following basic guidelines is helpful, don’t be afraid to break rules once in a while too. Finding shirt and tie pairings that reflect your personal style will make sure you look and feel your best. Even matching your tie and shirt can work sometimes if done intentionally and stylishly.
Some additional tips for matching shirt and tie:
- Ties with white backgrounds go with any color shirt
- Solid shirts look best with patterned ties
- Striped shirts pair well with solid ties
- Avoid matching shirt and tie patterns
- Lighter tie colors tend to pair well with darker shirt colors and vice versa
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some best practices to follow when coordinating your shirt and tie:
Do:
- Choose complementary colors in the same color family
- Add contrast and visual interest by varying shade and tone
- Match formality of tie to occasion
- Pair different but complementary textures and patterns
- Feel free to break traditional “rules” if it fits your style
Don’t:
- Wear a tie and shirt that are exactly the same color
- Choose colors that clash instead of complement
- Wear ties and shirts with the same or very similar patterns
- Match formal ties with casual shirts and vice versa
- Go too colorful or flashy unless it fits the occasion
Special Considerations
There are a few additional factors that may impact your choice of matching or clashing tie and shirt:
Skin Tone
Choose tie and shirt colors that complement your skin tone. Cool-toned colors like blue and purple tend to suit those with cool skin tones. Warm shades like orange, yellow, and red look great on warm complexions.
Hair and Eye Color
Your natural hair and eye color can also guide your color choices. Play up your features with complementing shades. For example, people with brown eyes often look nice in purple or green ties. Blondes can wear shades of blue, pink or red.
Body Type
Your body shape can factor in too. Bold stripes and bright colors tend to suit leaner frames, while those on the heavier side look smarter in muted, darker shades without bold patterns.
Season
Time of year may impact your choice of tie and shirt shade. In warm months, feel free to wear light and bright pastels more freely. In fall and winter, deeper more muted tones tend to work better.
Purpose
Think about the purpose of your outfit and occasion. Job interviews and client meetings call for conservative shirts and ties. Weekend events allow you to be adventurous. Weddings are somewhere in between – stick to tradition for your own wedding.
Conclusion
While there are some exceptions, the general consensus is that your tie should not match your shirt exactly. Finding complementary colors, patterns, and textures creates a more interesting, stylish, and put-together look.
Use color, formality, patterns, and your personal style preferences to guide you – while keeping the occasion in mind. With the right balance, you can stand out and look sharp.
Of course, fashion rules are made to be broken. If you have the confidence to rock a tie that perfectly matches your shirt, go for it! Just make sure it looks intentional, not like an accident. With the right attitude, you can pull off just about anything.
At the end of the day, choose tie and shirt pairings that make you feel great while showing the world a little bit of your personal flair. Complementary collars have a powerful effect!
