When choosing a tie to wear with a suit, the color is one of the most important factors to consider. The tie color should complement the suit color and fit the overall formality of the occasion. Traditionally, certain tie colors are recommended for different suit colors and situations.
Guidelines for tie color based on suit color
Here are some general guidelines for selecting a tie color based on your suit color:
- Navy or charcoal suits: Go with ties in red, yellow, pink, purple, green, orange, or blue. Solid or simple patterns work best.
- Gray suits: Pair with ties in blue, purple, pink, or yellow. Avoid shades too similar to the suit color.
- Brown suits: Opt for ties in blue, green, purple, or red. Ties with warm earth tones also complement brown well.
- Tan or khaki suits: Choose ties in navy, burgundy, forest green, or royal blue. Patterns and textures help a tie stand out against a tan suit.
When wearing a very dark (navy or charcoal) or very light (tan or khaki) suit, it’s best to go with a tie that contrasts the suit color. For medium shade suits like gray or brown, you can choose a tie close to the suit color but make sure they are not too matchy.
Tie color guidelines for formal vs. informal occasions
The formality of the occasion should also guide your choice of tie color:
- Formal business events: Stick with ties in navy, black, dark red, or silver. Avoid bright colors or distracting loud patterns.
- Job interviews: Select a conservative tie color like navy, charcoal, burgundy, or forest green. Avoid novelty prints.
- Important meetings: Choose a quality tie in a dark, neutral tone that matches your suit. Solid or muted striped ties are safe options.
- Networking events: Opt for ties with a bit more personality in tones like red, blue, pink, or purple. Small geometric patterns can work too.
- Creative fields: Bolder colors and patterns are more acceptable, but make sure they aren’t too distracting or unprofessional.
The safest tie colors for formal business occasions are dark neutrals that complement your suit. As events get more casual, you have more leeway to experiment with brighter colors and bolder patterns. But avoid anything too flashy or trendy for professional settings.
Choosing tie colors for cool vs. warm skin tones
Your natural skin tone will impact how certain tie colors look against your face. Here are some tie color considerations if you have cool or warm skin undertones:
- Cool skin tones: Your best bet is ties in jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, eggplant purple, and ruby red. Silver or gray based colors also complement cool skin well.
- Warm skin tones: Look for warmer hues like coral, peach, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and brick red. Avoid cooler tones like baby blue or mint green.
The overall goal is to choose tie colors that brighten up your facial complexion rather than blend in with it. Contrast is key. If you aren’t sure whether your skin leans warm or cool, drape different colored fabrics against your face in the mirror and see which tones make you look lively and which drain color from your face.
Top tie color choices for common suit colors
Here are the best tie colors to pair with the most common suit colors:
| Suit Color | Best Tie Color Options |
|---|---|
| Navy | Red, yellow, silver gray, light blue |
| Charcoal | Red, orange, light blue, purple |
| Medium Gray | Royal blue, pink, yellow, lavender |
| Light Gray | Navy, maroon, forest green, gold |
| Brown | Blue, olive green, dark red, burnt orange |
| Tan | Purple, burgundy, navy, forest green |
These pairings help create balanced contrast between the suit and tie. But feel free to experiment with other color combinations as well. Just avoid matching the tie color too closely to the suit color.
Tie color combinations to avoid
Some tie and suit color pairings are considered fashion faux pas. Here are some combinations it’s best to avoid:
- Black suit with black tie: This creates a somber, monochromatic look that is best suited for formal evening affairs when absolutely necessary.
- Brown suit with brown tie: Too matchy-matchy. Opt for a contrasting color tie instead.
- Navy suit with navy tie: Wearing the same navy on both overpowers the look. Go for a lighter blue tie to complement a navy suit instead.
- Bright white tie with any suit: White ties have a very formal vibe better suited for black tie affairs.
- Neon bright or novelty tie with a professional suit: Too distracting and informal.
Stick with properly contrasting or coordinating tie and suit pairings for the most polished, professional look. Save the monochromatic or novelty ties for less formal occasions.
Width and proportion
Beyond color, a few other factors impact how a tie looks with a particular suit:
- Width – Tie widths range from skinny (1.5-2.5 inches) to standard (3-4 inches) to wide (4-5 inches). Make sure wider ties complement your build and the lapels on your suit jacket. Super skinny ties can look oddly proportioned with wide lapels meant for a fuller tie knot.
- Length – The tip of the tie should fall to the top of your belt buckle. If you are tall, look for long tie lengths to cover that distance properly.
- Knot size – A half Windsor or Windsor knot has better proportions with wider collar spreads and lapels. Skinny ties suit smaller four-in-hand knots.
Achieving the right visual balance with your tie knot, collar and lapels affects the overall impression. Scale tie widths and knot sizes appropriately to your suit jacket for the most cohesive look.
Pattern and texture
Solid ties are always a foolproof choice, but patterns and textures can also work well. Here are some guidelines:
- Small allover patterns like polka dots, checks, or plaids don’t distract too much, especially with plain suits.
- Striped ties are a versatile choice. Pinstripes have a business feel, while wider stripes add interest.
- Ties with sheen or texture like silk knits, grenadine, or jacquard weaves add depth without being overly showy.
- Limit louder prints and novelty themes like fish, flamingos, or cartoons to casual settings only.
When wearing a busier suit, keep the tie pattern simple. With plain suits, you can experiment more with bolder tie patterns. Stay away from any overly silly or flashy prints in business situations.
Conclusion
Choosing proper tie colors, patterns, and proportions for your suit creates a polished, professional look. Stick with versatile solids or subtle patterns in darker, complementary colors for formal business occasions. For more casual events, branch out into brighter, bolder colors and prints if appropriate. Avoid matching the tie and suit colors too closely. Consider your skin tone as well to flatter your complexion. With these guidelines in mind, select tie colors and styles that balance well with your suits for the best impression.
