Tan suits have made a comeback in recent years after falling out of favor for some time. A tan suit can allow the wearer to stand out in a crowd of dark suits, but pairing it with the right accessories is key to pulling off the look. When styling a tan suit, it’s important to choose pieces that will complement the suit’s lighter color palette. In this article, we’ll explore different options for shirts, ties, shoes, belts, and other accessories that can make a tan suit look sharp. With the right complementary pieces, a tan suit can be fashionable, versatile, and give you a polished yet casual look perfect for the office or a special occasion.
Guidelines for wearing a tan suit
Before getting into specific accessory options, here are some general guidelines for wearing a tan suit:
– Stick to lighter shades on top – White, light blue, and other pale colored shirts keep the look light and summery. Avoid darker shirts that will look too heavy with a tan suit.
– Ties should also be light-colored or simple patterns – Solid ties in light blue, lavender, silver, or light pink work well. Subtle patterns like polka dots, thin stripes, or small checks are also nice complements.
– The suit itself should be a light tan or khaki – Avoid a suit that’s overly yellow. Light brown shades read as more versatile.
– Fit is key – A tan suit can show fit issues more easily than a darker suit. Make sure the shoulders, sleeves, and pants are properly tailored.
– Limit other patterns and let the suit stand out – Accessories like shirts or ties should not compete too much with the tan suit. Keep other patterns subtle.
– Stick to business casual shoes and belts – Formal black dress shoes and belts tend to look out of place with a tan suit in most cases. Brown leather is a better match.
Shirt colors that work with a tan suit
Now let’s get into the best options for shirts to complement that tan summer suit:
White – A classic white dress shirt is always a safe choice. Crisp white pops against the tan and works for formal business or casual settings. Make sure the white is a true white, not off-white or cream which may blend too much.
Light blue – From a soft powder blue to a pale sky blue, light shades of blue offset a tan suit nicely. They give off a breezy, relaxed vibe perfect for a smart-casual summer outfit.
Pink – For a bold splash of color, go with a pastel pink dress shirt in a soft hue like blush pink or melon pink. This creates a pleasant color combination with the tan suit.
Lavender or lilac – Similarly, pale shades of purple like lavender or lilac can provide subtle color without overpowering the suit.
Mint green – For an even cooler tone, a mint green shirt evokes refreshing spring and summer vibes against tan.
Light yellow – While not ideal for every skin tone, a pale lemon yellow shirt can enhance a tan suit as long as the shades complement well.
Gray – Light grays work better than darker grays, which can look dull. Opt for a lightweight cotton shirt in a pale heathered gray with texture.
Here’s a quick table summarizing the best shirt colors for a tan suit:
| Shirt Color | Shade |
|---|---|
| White | Crisp, true white |
| Blue | Light blue |
| Pink | Pastel pink |
| Purple | Lavender, lilac |
| Green | Mint green |
| Yellow | Pale lemon |
| Gray | Light heathered gray |
So feel free to go bold with a pink or blue shirt, or keep it straightforward with a white shirt. Just stick to paler versions of these colors that will seamlessly blend with tan.
Tie options for a tan suit
Your tie is the next opportunity to complement a tan suit:
Solid light blue – A light blue necktie is another no-brainer pairing. Shades like powder blue, periwinkle, or Baby blue are ideal matches.
Solid pink – A solid pastel pink tie has a similar effect as a pink dress shirt, working well with the tan suit.
Purple – Lilac, lavender, or grape ties follow suit as excellent options in the purple family.
Silver – A simple silver tie with a sheen adds subtle flair without overpowering.
Patterns – As mentioned earlier, small repeating patterns like polka dots, thin stripes, plaids, or paisley prints work better than bold patterns.
Textured ties – Look for ties with interesting fabrics like knits, linen, or silk that add depth through texture.
Avoid darker ties like deep red, forest green, navy blue, or black. These will visually clash with the lighter tones of a tan suit. If opting for a patterned tie, the pattern should not be so dense that it overwhelms the suit. Subtlety is key in accessorizing a tan suit.
Shoes that complement a tan suit
Let’s move down to the shoes:
Brown leather oxfords or derbies – A medium to lighter brown leather lace-up shoe provides a polished look. Darker browns can be too harsh. Walnut or caramel brown shades work well.
Tan suede – For more casual flair, try a suede loafer or buck in a tan color echoing the suit. Just avoid extremes like a supersaturated tan.
White sneakers – Crisp white leather sneakers can offset a tan suit for hip smart casual occasions, like creative offices or summer events.
Brown penny loafers – Classic brown penny loafers in leather or suede are another comfy complement to a tan suit outfit.
Light gray shoes – For an unexpected neutral pairing, try a light gray suede or nubuck shoe. Stay away from shiny patent leathers.
Avoid black shoes, which tend to look too formal and heavy with a tan suit in most cases. Weathered leather in lighter browns make for the ideal bridge between dressy and casual.
Choosing a belt
Picking the right belt is another key accessory decision:
Brown leather – A tan suit begs for a brown leather belt to match brown shoes. Shades like walnut, chestnut, or caramel work better than deep brown.
Braided leather – For a casual touch, match a braided brown leather belt to brown loafers or boots.
Fabric belt – A woven fabric belt offers lightness a formal leather belt lacks. Solid tan, brown, or navy colors work with a tan suit here.
Metallic belt – A belt with subtle metallic sheen can add interest without going overboard. Stick to silver, gold, or bronze tones.
Like with shoes, avoid thick black leather belts normally reserved for dark suits. Tan suits require belts in lighter browns, fabrics, or metallics that match the suit’s laid-back vibe. Skip anything too dark or ornate.
Tie clips, socks, and other accessories
Some final touches to complete your tan suit look:
Tie clip – A simple silver or gunmetal tie clip keeps your tie neatly in place. Resist colorful clips that compete.
Pocket square – An optional pocket square provides another way to introduce color and patterns like polka dots, paisles, or subtle stripes.
Socks – Gray, tan, or brown textured socks continue the earth tone theme.
Watch – A leather band watch in silver, black, or brown dial pairs nicely.
Glasses – For those who wear them, optic frames in black, brown, tan, or transparent complement a tan suit.
Lapel pin – An understated metallic lapel pin adds sheen without draws eyes away from the suit.
Cufflinks – Gunmetal gray or silver cufflinks work with French cuff shirts.
Grooming – Get a clean haircut and professional shave before wearing your tan suit.
The key is keeping these accessories minimal and letting the suit take center stage. Avoid loud colors, competing patterns, or chunky accessories weighting down the light and airy tan suit.
Conclusion
A tan suit can be pulled off for plenty of occasions beyond just summer. By teaming it with lighter colored shirts, pale ties, brown shoes, natural fabric belts, and subtle accessories, you allow the suit to shine while complementing its lighter tones. Keep patterns low-key along with shoe and belt leathers. With the guidelines above for coordinating colors and textures, a tan suit can work year-round and make you stand out from the crowd in any season. So embrace this versatile suit and experiment with accessorizing it for both formal business looks and laid-back weekend style.
