Need a hand choosing a tie for your big meeting or your night out on the town?
A well-chosen tie can complete an outfit and make you look polished and professional. However, many men don't know how to match a tie to a suit and shirt.
Whether you're dressing up for a special occasion or trying to spruce up your work wardrobe, knowing how to match a tie to a suit and shirt is vital.
In this definitive guide, we'll walk you through the steps of putting together the perfect outfit with ease. So whether you're starting out in the world of men's fashion or you're looking for some new ideas, read on for tie buying tips that will have you looking sharp no matter the occasion.
The Color Wheel: How to Match a Tie to Your Shirts and Suits
The first thing you need to consider when choosing ties for any occasion is color. Understanding color is easier when you understand the basics of the color wheel.
The color wheel is mainly divided into two groups:
- Warm colors, such as red, yellow, and orange exhibit vibrancy.
- Cool colors express calm, such as blue, green, and purple.
The color wheel will help you understand and efficiently blend colors. And what makes for perfect color harmony is when you have a warm color set against a cool one.
This results in visual contrast and an element of pop, which we all want when showing off our newest suit, shirt, and necktie combination.
Understanding the Color Wheel System
The color wheel helps us identify colors that are complementary, contrasting, and similar to one another. But note, it should only serve as your guide.
It should not be treated as an end-all approach to matching your ties with your outfits. That said, the color wheel makes it much easier to get a rough idea of what colors go with certain outfits.
- Monochromatic colors match darker variants of color with lighter variants
- Analogous colors involve selecting adjacent colors on the color wheel
- Triadic colors involve choosing colors that form a triangle on the color wheel
- Complementary colors are opposite to each other on the color wheel
Monochromatic Color Schemes
The most concise color palette to try out is monochrome. It's the simplest approach to experiment with color, and it's also the most conservative. A monochromatic color scheme is used when contrasting darker versions of colors with lighter colors.
A monochrome design is an easy approach to stylish color matching. It will help you look polished and sophisticated while still staying in your comfort zone.
Monochrome is utilized in various settings, including business presentations, meetings, and even more formal social gatherings such as weddings.
Monochromatic color pairing example: a navy blue tie against a light blue shirt.
Analogous Color Schemes
The next step in a dashing gent's development is to use an analogous color sequence. It's one step bolder than a monochromatic scheme and involves choosing adjacent colors on the color wheel that are either cool or warm.
While analogous colors fall into one of two categories (warm or cool), they have an underlying sophistication that is lacking in other designs. It also provides a touch of class without being overly bold, as it incorporates both warm and cool colors.
Analogous color schemes are soothing to the eye, making them ideal for use at work or at social events.
Analogous color pairing example: an olive green tie against a blue shirt.
Triadic Color Schemes
Now, we've arrived at a color scheme that strikes a perfect harmony between warm and cool color palettes. The Triadic Color Scheme uses colors that form a triangle on the color wheel.
This lovely color palette, which is slightly muted yet attractive, is a fantastic method to add color to your wardrobe.
Popular triadic color trios are:
- Blue, red, and yellow
- Green, orange and purple
Triadic hues are something that many men have experimented with in the past. This is why a red tie looks fantastic against a blue shirt or even a darker hue of yellow.
A triadic color scheme is a professional yet versatile color palette. It may be used in business, at professional gatherings like meetings and presentations, or formal social events like a wedding.
Triadic color pairing example: A red tie against a soft yellow shirt with a blue suit.
Complementary Color Schemes
Complementary colors must be carefully matched, as they are more difficult to pair together. They carry the most striking contrast because the colors used are precisely opposite to one another on the color wheel.
The most effective way to understand this is through the idea of warm and cool colors. We're mixing warm and cool hues to create robust contrast.
Complementary hues are ideal for social gatherings since their boldness may be mistaken as unprofessional in the work environment or more formal situations.
Complimentary color pairing example: a patterned orange tie against a blue shirt.
Matching Tie Materials to Your Suits and Shirts
Ultimately, the material you choose for your tie will depend on your suit. If you're preparing for a crucial business meeting and wear a pinstripe charcoal suit, you should opt for a silk necktie.
If you're wearing a linen suit to a summer wedding, go for a cotton or knit tie—ideally, the less formal your suit, the less formal the tie you choose to wear.
Don't try to mix your sharp business suit with a squared-off knitted tie, and vice versa. And keep your striped silk accessories away from heavy wool garments.
The different tie fabrics in order from most casual to most formal are:
- Wool - wear with casual suits made of wool or blends
- Cotton - wear with everyday suits made of cotton or blends
- Linen - perfect for summer suits and medium-priority events
- Satin - best for more formal events and suit ensembles
- Silk - a luxurious fabric for your most important occasions
How to Choose a Tie Style for Your Suits and Shirts
Once you've determined the fabric of your tie, it's time to focus on the style. There are many different tie styles available on the market, but not all of them will match your suit or shirt. The difference between a skinny tie and a standard tie can be massive.
You wouldn't wear a skinny tie with your sharp, no-nonsense business suit, just as you wouldn't wear a striped, regimental tie with your casual linen suit.
The different tie styles in order from most informal to most formal are:
- Skinny ties - wear with slim-cut suits that have narrow lapels
- Standard ties - wear with a classic suit or blazer
- Neckties - wear with a business suit or blazer
- Bow Ties - wear with a classic, formal suit or tuxedo
- Club Ties - wear with a casual suit, blazer, or sports coat
- Regimental Ties - wear with a classic, formal suit
- Best of Class Ties - wear with a classic, formal suit
- Estate Ties - wear with a classic, formal suit
- Seven-Fold Ties - wear with your best-quality formal suit
Shop at Hansen’s for the Highest Quality Ties and Attire
And that's how to match a tie to any shirt or suit in your wardrobe. Now you'll look sharp and prepared for any situation that comes your way. We hope you enjoyed our guide!
At Hansen's, we're founded on quality over quantity. Our store provides a refined selection of ready-made merchandise from premier brands, alongside our own special private label items.
You'll be treated as if you've been a client from the start, and you'll be shown how to build a wardrobe that fits your fine palate.
Shop our wide selection of premium ties and accessories today.