8 Best Ways to Pair Ties with Your Suits and Shirts
Mary enjoys sharing tips, most of which she's tested, about any subject that makes some part of human life better or easier.
Too many ties... Too few shirts... Still can't decide which goes with which.
Sounds familiar? Trust me, you won’t be the first man to be confused as to how best to pair your tie with your shirt or suit. This is perhaps, the most tasking part of getting dressed as a man. I mean, you’re looking fine -- beards in place, hair well combed, shirt and pants well-ironed and looking sharp. And then, the dilemma begins -- what tie works best with this outfit?
I know it can be a frustrating space, and that’s exactly why I’ve put this article together to help you. After this, I’m certain it’s goodbye to tie-pairing dilemmas henceforth. Ready to roll? Let’s get cracking!
1. Use the Color Wheel
The color of the ties is the first element to consider while matching them. Many people consider color to be random. Because of this, the color wheel was created. A color wheel is a fantastic tool for learning about and understanding color.
In general, it may be split into two groups -- cool colors and warm colors. Warm hues, such as red, orange, and yellow, have a high level of vibrancy. Cooler hues, such as blue, green, and purple, are associated with feelings of serenity. Color harmony is achieved by the use of the color wheel idea.
2. Pair Contrasting Colors
Contrasting colors are typically simpler to mix together than complementing colors, especially when it comes to shirts and ties. Every guy can pull off an outfit like a mid-blue shirt and burgundy tie (red is a complementary color) worn under a navy, single-breasted kind of suit.
3. Invest in Good, Quality Ties
The tie will always be the first thing people notice in this clothing union. Hence, paying attention to your tie and investing in quality pays off. Your tie does not have to be costly, but it should be tasteful. While you want a tie that looks fantastic on its own, it shouldn't be a novelty item.
4. Experiment with Your Ties
While wearing a plain tie with a white shirt is the most straightforward and safest option, where is the excitement in that? Make a lot of mistakes when it comes to color and pattern mixing, and you'll soon discover what works and what doesn't. You'll ultimately come up with a few go-to shirt-and-tie combos that you can rely on, on a daily basis.
5. Pair Completely Different Patterns
Rather than wear broader striped ties, you can opt for a polka dot tie (polka dot ties are always bigger in spacing) to contrast with your closely striped, pinstripe shirt.
You may also wear an abstract design, such as a repeating floral pattern with some amount of spacing that corresponds to the spacing of your striped or checkered shirt, as an alternative to a geometric design. Again, as in the last example, pattern proportion is crucial, even though the two patterns are diametrically opposed to one another.
6. Pair Patterned Shirts with Solid Ties
Instead of contrasting the design of the shirt with another pattern, you might choose to contrast it with a solid tie instead. Patterned shirts may frequently appear just as sophisticated when they're paired with a solid tie, making this the most straightforward approach to match a tie to a patterned shirt.
7. Pick the Right Tie Size
Size is another important factor to consider. In general, the breadth of the tie should match the width of the suit's lapels, which in turn should complement your body type when worn with that suit. Finally, be sure to tie your tie in a way that complements your face shape as well as the kind of collar on your shirt when wearing one.
8. The Occasion Matters
Consider the occasion when making your tie selections. For smart and business-casual occasions, more textured materials like wool perform better than traditional silk ties.
Because they are so different from their more-traditional counterparts, knitted ties exist in a gray area where they may be both stylish and practical. Dressed up or down, they may be worn with anything from a tailored suit to a simple cardigan.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.