There are a lot of moving parts that go into choosing the correct shirt and tie to match with your suit.
Getting all color choices to line up perfectly can be daunting when you aren’t comfortable working with color.
However, with a bit of know-how, you can easily figure out how to put together a huge variety of suit, shirt, and tie combinations.
You don’t need to study at a fashion institute to get that knowledge. This brief primer will get you in fighting shape to add color to your outfits in no time.
Color Combination Basics: The Color Wheel
If you tend to stick to neutral colors when dressing simply because that’s all you feel safe with, it’s time to add a little color to your wardrobe.
You’ll be surprised at what effects you can easily achieve with the correct use of various colors in your suits.
This is where the color wheel comes in. It’s most helpful to have a cheat sheet to guide you in putting your outfits together.
The concept of the color wheel is beneficial once you understand how to put it to use and get the look you want.
Monochromatic Colors
Using the color wheel to achieve a monochromatic look is the most straightforward approach.
This is when all your colors are variations of one color. You can mix shades and tones of the same base color, and they will create some exciting depth in your outfit.
Gray is an excellent example of how to do this. You can match a light grey dress shirt with a charcoal tie and suit to create a very sophisticated style with just one color.
Analogous Colors
You can also match similar colors together; pick two colors that are side-by-side on the color wheel. This is an easy look to pull off and looks slightly more advanced than going the monochromatic route.
The two colors next to each other on the color wheel are blue and violet-blue.
So you can put this to use in a very stylish way by pairing a blue suit with a light blue shirt and a violet (violet with blue tones) tie.
Triadic Colors
You may also hear style guides talking about contrasting colors. These would be colors that are three spaces away from each other on the color wheel.
It’s a relatively advanced fashion skill because it involves choosing the exact right shade that will work for each color.
Red and blue are perfect examples of triadic colors. They are both powerful colors and look amazing when paired together.
However, not just any shades will work. For example, a dark blue shirt with a yellow tie doesn’t feel right. So both colors need to have the right tones to look beautiful together.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel. This pairing is another tough one to pull off well.
These colors may seem overwhelming when paired together, so they generally work best in softer hues. For example, blue and orange may sound garish together.
However, if you find the right tones, they can look amazing. For instance, royal blue and burnt orange are a stunning combination.
Blue Suit Color Combinations
Blue suits are excellent for versatility. So many colors work well with blue, so a blue suit is very easy to incorporate into your wardrobe.
The formality of your suit depends on which shade of blue you wear. A navy suit is the most formal and is an excellent replacement for a black suit.
A true blue or royal blue suit is a very modern suit shade; it’s less formal and not as easy to match colors to.
Finally, light blue suits are the most casual and are better suited to warm-weather events.
Blue Suit and White Shirt
White dress shirts are always a crisp touch to any suit, which certainly elevates every outfit. In addition, white dress shirts are the most formal dress shirt color, which is why they pair amazingly well with navy suits.
Since navy suits are among the most formal suits you can wear, a white dress shirt is a natural pairing. They are a very professional combination.
A solid tie with this outfit is ideal because that’s most dressy, but you can wear a print tie for a more dressed-down style.
A darker tie keeps the outfit formal, so dark blue or charcoal are lovely color choices.
A dark red tie is potent against your navy suit and white shirt. In addition, a brown tie makes a surprisingly gentle touch to your ensemble.
Blue Suit and Light Blue Suit
A light blue dress shirt relaxes your look and makes your blue suit more versatile. It is a natural choice if you want a change of pace from the standard white dress shirt.
Although blue is more casual than white, your look will still remain conservative. In addition, light blue is a calm tone that warms up your blue suit.
There are many tie options that you can choose from when wearing a blue suit and light blue shirt.
A dark shade against your light-colored shirt looks incredibly refined. For example, red looks good, but a deeper shade of burgundy looks even better.
On the other hand, you could wear orange as a complementary color, but again keep it dark.
Brown undertones in the orange will prevent too much brightness against the blue.
Of course, choosing a monochrome suit and shirt look with a navy tie would be the most conservative color you can go with.
Blue Suit and Pink Shirt
A pink dress shirt with a blue suit makes a tremendous splash. It isn’t as conservative as other dress shirt colors, but it is very modern.
This sharp contrast of colors is very trendy right now. It’s best to keep your pink a light shade so that it can match whichever shade of blue you wear, especially a navy suit.
There are many tie color options with a pink shirt, although pairing them is slightly trickier and mainly depends on the suit’s shade. Nevertheless, this is an excellent opportunity to flex your color wheel expertise.
Red works shockingly well, as it’s a monochrome approach with pink, just as shades of purple work well.
A navy tie is once again your most traditional choice, especially when wearing a navy suit.
Pink is a relatively flashy color, so don’t dive into prints when wearing a conservative shade of blue.
Instead, look for a complementary color, such as a muted green or khaki tie. It’s a very sophisticated color combination!
Black Suit Color Combinations
Black is the formal suit color; that’s why most tuxedos are black. However, it can be more versatile than it gets credit for.
It can also be the ultimate symbol of cool; that’s why rockstars and Reservoir Dogs all wear black suits.
Just like white, black makes a perfect canvas for color. All colors are fair game, but some tones work better than others.
How you match up the colors affects the formality of your black suit and the occasion you’re attending.
For example, you wouldn’t wear a pink dress shirt or a yellow tie to a funeral, although perhaps either would be fantastic for a wedding.
Black Suit and White Shirt
What is better than a black suit with a white dress shirt? It is the ultimate fashion pairing, created by the deepest contrast.
With that in mind, a black suit with a white shirt is a classic that’s impossible to get wrong.
The most formal tie you can wear with this combination would be a black tie. In fact, it would be difficult to pull this look off outside of a formal setting.
Other conservative tie options are red, charcoal, or navy.
But, again, all tie colors are on the table when pairing a black suit and white shirt. You can also change your appearance by adding some texture to your tie.
Black Suit and Blue Shirt
Wearing black and blue together is a more challenging combination to match colors with.
The blue dress shirt makes your black suit more casual, although adding a black tie will somewhat boost its dressiness.
For instance, this would be an excellent combination to wear to the office.
You may feel the need to create a little contrast in your outfit. Of course, your choices are slightly limited with this color combination, but a red tie never fails.
A bright power tie may not look right with this suit, but a deeper maroon may be precisely what your suit needs.
Black Suit and Pink Shirt
Pairing your black suit with a pink dress shirt is super contemporary and very polished.
Of course, light pink is ideal with such a dark suit, but if you aren’t planning to wear it in a conservative setting, you can go with a darker shade of pink.
But, again, remember that a softer shade is less aggressive.
You would do best with a dark shade tie; the deeper the color, the more grounding it is. Neutral colors, such as charcoal gray or even navy, are always good in this situation.
For a pop of even more color, red is absolutely stunning against the pink background.
You may be surprised by how many options you can come up with for this suit color combination.
This is an excellent opportunity to play with stripes or polka dots, incorporating a couple of different, subtle colors into your tie.
Gray Suit Color Combinations
Gray is a hardworking suit color that is always appropriate. You can find a shade of gray that is appropriate for any situation.
Of course, a charcoal gray suit is the most conservative and formal, as it’s the darkest shade.
Medium gray can be traditional or dressed with colors to make it a more modern outfit. And light gray is a casual suit color.
Like black, gray is a neutral color, so it pairs incredibly well with many other colors.
Gray Suit and White Shirt
Wearing a white dress shirt with a gray suit enhances the gray in your outfit; it looks immaculate.
A gray suit paired with a white dress shirt is like having an open field for your tie choices.
To make your white dress shirt really pop, wear it with a charcoal gray suit. Which color tie pairs best? All of them!
A dark tie is the nicest choice for a charcoal suit. It prevents the cold feeling you may get with a lighter-shaded tie.
You can use a monochromatic approach and wear a charcoal tie or insert a slight color change with navy or black.
For a big infusion of color, add a jewel-toned tie. For example, ruby red or emerald green will really pop against the neutral colors of your suit and shirt.
Gray Suit and Blue Shirt
Blue dress shirts look fantastic with every type of gray suit, but a medium gray is perhaps the nicest-looking combination.
The light blue softens the gray and warms what could easily be a cold tone, especially if you are pairing it with a light gray suit.
A monochrome look for your tie is a very striking approach with this suit.
Try a darker blue tie than your shirt, perhaps even a navy tie. It looks very sophisticated and goes even further to provide warmth.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with a simple black tie for a more professional image.
A tie in the pink family would look very cheery if you are looking for a more playful ensemble and don’t mind making your outfit a bit more casual.
Gray Suit and Pink Shirt
Pink and gray have always seemed like a natural combination together.
You can create a very stylish outfit with a charcoal gray suit and a soft pink shirt; it’s very trendy and has a unique look that’s quite approachable.
In addition, pink has a warming effect on any shade of gray suit.
You can give this color combination a conservative twist with a dark tie, such as black or blue.
However, a complementary color scheme with a sage green tie is very eye-catching.
Of course, you can always choose the monochromatic approach with deep red or maroon; it’s a sophisticated combination.
Brown Suit Color Combinations
Brown is a casual color, but it can be dressed up through the use of darker tones.
A deep chocolate shade is very inviting because of its richness and warmth. As an earth tone, it goes very well with many other colors.
Brown suits go really well as conservative office wear and as casual wear for an outing. It isn’t the most formal color but does well for most office settings.
Brown Suit and White Shirt
This rich earth tone with a sparkling white dress shirt plays off each other and accentuates each shade nicely.
In addition, a white dress shirt elevates the brown suit to a dressier outfit. This is perhaps one of the most effortless outfits to match ties to.
To prevent this combination from becoming dull, you can make excellent use of stripes or polka dots to spice up this look.
Naturally, other earth tones will play very well with this pairing, so look for browns, greens, and burnt oranges, all the colors of fall.
For a touch of sophistication and confidence, you would be best off with a simple black tie.
Brown Suit and Blue Shirt
Sometimes a white dress shirt can make a brown suit feel institutional, so you may want to wear a blue dress shirt instead.
Blue will cool the brown tone and make the suit firmly casual. In addition, a blue dress shirt is a sublime pop of color amidst the brown.
If your suit is a dark shade of brown, you can wear either a dark blue or light blue dress shirt.
Because there are so many brown and blue variations, you are well-matched with a couple of different tones. However, you may have to experiment with dress shirts to find your ideal match.
A brown tie of any shade is lovely to tie your outfit together.
Jewel tones are also an excellent option for your tie; try a burgundy or a blue that’s darker than your dress shirt.
Finally, of course, black and navy are both very safe options.
Brown Suit and Pink Shirt
Pairing a pink shirt looks better with dark brown than with medium brown.
This is a very contemporary combination. It doesn’t seem as though brown and pink should work, but they make a marvelous pairing.
Light pink is the most attractive choice if you want a pink dress shirt. But, of course, you can pull it off with a little confidence and the proper tones.
A tie that’s a darker shade of pink than your dress shirt is very cheeky and a bold choice. This is an excellent choice if you are dressing for a fun casual event.
For a more sober option, opt for a brown tie in the same shade as your suit.
You could also wear a khaki tie, which is lighter but works in the color wheel with complementary colors.
Maroon/Burgundy Suit Color Combinations
A maroon or burgundy suit is similar to a brown suit in many ways, except it has red highlights. This isn’t an office-ready suit that would work in most conservative offices.
However, a maroon or burgundy suit can be appropriate if you work in an office that embraces business casual or smart casual.
On the other hand, it’s an excellent color for social and festive events, like weddings.
Maroon/Burgundy Suit and White Shirt
A white dress shirt really accentuates the richness of this suit. Both colors bring out all the richness and brightness in each other.
However, your color combinations are more limited with this suit than with many other suits.
A navy tie is a perfect color with this color combination, as it grounds the suit. In addition, it adds a dash of maturity and fashion-savviness.
A black tie will have a similar effect but is slightly harsher than navy.
Maroon/Burgundy Suit and Black Shirt
Choosing to wear a black dress shirt with your maroon/burgundy suit creates a relaxed party feeling for this outfit.
Your best tie choice for the maroon suit and black dress shirt would be black. But you could also wear a maroon/burgundy tie of the same shade as your suit.
There aren’t any other color options that would work as well as these two colors.
You could create an interesting effect with a patterned tie, which may help temper your suit’s shade, or you could skip the tie for a very casual look.
A subtle pattern on your black dress shirt could be a fascinating choice in place of a tie.
Maroon/Burgundy Suit and Pink Shirt
This color combination is definitely not for your usual board meeting!
However, adding a pink dress shirt to a maroon or burgundy suit is fantastic for a social outfit when you really want to draw attention.
In addition, these two colors are a marvelous way to play with monochrome color schemes.
If you decide to add a tie to your suit, burgundy would be a full completion of your monochrome look, but you could also go a different route to make it more interesting.
A black or navy tie would also look impeccable with a maroon suit and a pink shirt.
Tan/Khaki Suit Color Combinations
Tan and khaki color suits are fantastic casual suit options that are very versatile with color.
Tan and khaki are variations of very light brown, and they go well with many colors.
Because of their casual nature, it’s probably best to avoid these suit colors for most business events. They are considered laid-back and breezy colors, perfect in warm weather.
But how you pair these suits will really change the effect they have.
Tan/Khaki Suit and White Shirt
White and tan or khaki are similar tones; together, they look crisp and clean. Because they are so laid-back, skipping the tie with this suit is acceptable.
However, there are many super choices that you can make for your tie pairing.
Blue is one of the best color choices, as it will warm up your suit tones, and navy adds maturity to your suit. A dark brown tie is also a really lovely effect.
A gold tie is also a surprisingly nice touch. But for the most traditional style, choose a black tie.
Tan/Khaki Suit and Blue Shirt
Once again, a blue dress shirt adds a certain warmth to this neutral suit color. Pair it with a tie with a deep hue for an exciting style.
A burgundy tie would be an incredibly sophisticated addition to this color lineup.
Navy is a grounding color for these colors because it’s darker than the dress shirt, so you couldn’t go wrong with navy.
And finally, a black tie will pop against this light-colored background of the tan suit and blue shirt.
Tan/Khaki Suit and Pink Shirt
A soft pink dress shirt with a tan or khaki suit is an unexpected choice that works shockingly well. Moreover, it plays very well against neutral colors.
You will want ties that lean into the warmth of the pink dress shirt. A complimentary purple or darker pink would round out this outfit.
A grey tie would add some variety to this color scheme and works so well because tan and khaki are also neutral colors.
Possibly your best tie choice would be a floral tie. It seems like a natural choice with a combination of pink and tan and is a wonderful way to work in a few more colors.