The right tie can pull your entire look together and bring your outfit to a whole new level. For those who are less than fashion savvy, finding the perfect tie to wear with your suit can seem intimidating. Luckily, the rules behind creating a matching outfit aren’t too complicated. Check out these tips for matching your tie with a suit and shirt, and learn how to put together sharp, attractive looks that show off your best self.
Core color refers to the base color of your outfit. In a suit and tie combo, the suit is the core color. Everything else is an accent color. However, if you remove your suit jacket, the shirt beneath becomes the core color. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a tie that works with both your shirt and your suit.
The easiest way to do this is to create a monochromatic look. You can’t go wrong with solid pieces that incorporate lighter or darker shades of the same base color. For example, pair a navy tie with a light blue shirt to create a sharp, classic outfit that works in a wide variety of settings.
If you want to branch out from a monochromatic look, you need to understand the basics of color theory. Knowing how different colors work together helps you choose a solid color tie that works perfectly with your shirt and suit.
Your first option is to choose analogous colors, or colors adjacent to one another on the color wheel. Examples include pairing green and blue or blue and purple. Analogous colors avoid creating too much contrast, making this an easy place to start if you’re uncertain about mixing colors.
You can also take it a step further with triadic colors. These are the colors that are evenly spaced to form a triangle along the color wheel. Examples include the primary trio of red, blue, and yellow or the secondary trio of orange, purple, and green. Matching triadic colors helps you create fun contrast without creating a look that might be too bold for more formal settings.
Finally, complementary colors refer to colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. These colors form the most contrast for bolder, more vibrant looks. Examples of complementary colors include wearing an orange tie with a light blue shirt or a gold or yellow tie with a purple suit.
Another tip for matching your tie with a suit and shirt is to mix and match patterns properly. The easiest way to do this is to choose one patterned piece and keep everything else a solid color. For example, wearing a floral tie with a solid-colored suit and shirt adds visual interest and personality without making your outfit look too busy.
You don’t have to stick to this, though. When mixing patterns, just make sure that you don’t choose two patterns of the same size. If you choose a pinstripe suit, choose a tie with thick stripes or large florals to balance it.
