In this article, we looked at different suit color combinations. Which suit color combination is good for you? Find out in the lines below.
Men wear suits all the time; for formal functions, business meetings, weddings, funeral, and various occasions.
There are quite a few styles and patterns in suits to choose from, but no matter what the style, wearing and matching the right color is extremely important.
From picking out the color of your suit to pairing it with the right shirt, tie or shoes, it’s important to create a cohesive ensemble.
We’ve put together a few pointers to help you with the right suit combination.
How do you choose the right suit color?
There are quite a few men who only own a single suit as they rarely have a chance to wear one.
The suit comes out only on occasion when it’s mandatory to don one.
For that rare occasion it’s a great idea to settle for a dark conservative suit; the traditional colors charcoal gray, black or navy blue.
A charcoal gray suit is a good color to own as it is quite versatile.
However, for someone who wears suits on a regular basis deciding the color and combinations can be quite annoying every day.
The traditional colors black, gray and navy are the safest picks for those undecided about the color. The combinations that you pair the suit with are what matter.
Nevertheless, a gentleman with dark hair and a fair complexion would stand out in a dark suit.
Someone with a darker skin tone will probably look better in a light suit. A dark suit too won’t look out of place if combined with a light colored shirt.
You also need to be aware of how light can affect the color and look of the suit that you wear.
Once you’ve picked out the color of your suit, the next step is in deciding the color of your shirt and the tie.
All three colors have to blend in to create that stand out the combination.
Traditional shirt colors like white, pale pink and powder blue are always good to have in your wardrobe.
Checks and stripes may look okay once in a while for a change, but here too, stick to traditionalist patterns and colors.
For that great corporate look, a knitted or textured tie will do great for your look. For classic prints with solid tones and thicker stripes, silk ties are recommended.
Wearing the right color shoes is equally important. For a black suit, nothing else but black shoes go, but a navy suit can be worn with black, brown or burgundy.
A dark gray suit goes well with black or burgundy but a tan or cream suit will only go with brown or even white shoes.
Our tips below will guide you towards making the right combinations for your suit.
The Color Wheel Is a Great Place to Start
You’ve probably seen the color wheel at some point when you were in school, but unless you were the artsy kind, you probably never looked at it closely.
The color wheel is a circle made up of different colors which fit into three categories – primary, secondary and tertiary colors.
When pairing ties and shirts it’s a good idea to use the wheel as a guide to help you mix and match.
However, you must remember that you’ll only get better in making the right choices with experience and cannot be too dependent on the color wheel.
So how does the color wheel work? Colors that sit opposite each other are complementary but look at the shades closely before jumping right in.
You don’t want to appear too intimidating by picking the wrong combinations.
The ones beside each other possess similar tones and the colors that are three sections away are contrasting.
If the complementary colors are bold, don’t try to match them as that can give you a look that you don’t really want to carry.
Similar colors are easy to pair as they work well together.
However, if you’re going for two blues, make sure that the tie is darker than the shirt.
The easiest combination is probably contrasting tones as they give you more dimension.
Let’s focus on some specific combinations for the traditional, gray, black or navy suit.
Combining the Quintessential White Shirt
White works with almost every color and are one of the best colors to choose when in doubt.
The crisp, elegant and classy look that white provides is unparalleled to anything else. This versatile color affords you a wider choice for pairing a tie.
No matter what color of tie you choose to wear, you know there’s a very slim chance of you going wrong with white.
White Shirt with a Gray Suit
This classic look can be spiced up with a dash of color.
Classic burgundies and redder tones will help add a dash of color to the gray suit and white shirt combination.
You could also dress up this neutral look with some cufflinks and tie clips. Tanned shoes are a good idea for this combination as black shoes will be too stark and overpowering.
White Shirt and a Black Suit
This is a timeless combination carried off with suave by numerous celebrities through the ages.
These two base shades will go well with any colored tie but for a more refined look try a monochromatic tie.
Although a black tie is an ideal match, this look is better for the workplace or a more formal do.
If you are going with a black tie choose one that is a little dressier as you don’t want to look like you’re in uniform.
White Shirt and a Navy Blue Suit
A white shirt and navy blue suit is also another timeless combination, which spells out elegance.
This combination is ideal for the corporate look. You can play with different patterns for your tie in similar tones, but here too be careful of portraying the school uniform look.
You can be a little more versatile with this suit color by pairing knitted ties in solid colors like reds or greens. Brown or black shoes will complete this look.
White Shirt with a Tan Suit
Blue tones go best with this combination. The tan suit will be complemented well with various shades of blue.
A powder blue tone or a navy knitted tie will definitely brighten up the simple white shirt.
Combining the Dressy Blue Shirt
Although a variation from the classic white, a blue shirt will still give you that formal and conservative look.
Blue also helps in adding some subtle zest to your clothing palette.
Pale blue is great for complementing hair colors and a range of skin tones. One of the staples that you should have is a powder blue as it goes well with various tie colors and patterns.
Blue Shirt with a Gray Suit
For this combination, your tie will make all the difference in lifting your look.
Navy is a great color to opt for as it will help make a clear distinction between your shirt and suit.
It will also give you a more sophisticated look. Knitted ties and silks are good fabrics to choose from.
You could also push for a pink or violet for this combination to give a little twist to the formal look.
Blue Shirt and a Tan Suit
A light blue shirt and a tan suit go well but don’t go for a loud tie as it could be a bit over the top.
Stick to the conservative look by opting for a deeper scarlet tie.
Patterned ties in classic colors are also great to pair with a tan suit to give you a little edge.
Blue Shirt and a Navy Suit
You don’t want to go wrong with this combination.
Pulling off a light blue shirt under a darker blue suit depends on the tie.
Use ties in different prints and patterns so that the tie doesn’t just blend in but stands out.
Deep crimson ties will not only stand out but will help complete your look. Don’t wear darker blue shirts with a navy suit as the colors will clash.
Combining the Unlikely Pink
To break with the monotony of the standard colors try a powder pink shirt.
Pink will do wonders for adding more color to a traditional suit but make sure that you tone down the shade of pink.
You don’t want to pick anything that is too pigmented as it will not complement but distract from the suit you’re wearing.
Use contrasting and similar colored ties for the right combination. A deeper navy will add depth while a violet or deep purple will lift the tone.
Pink shirt and Gray Suit
Pink will not only add a bit of dimension to a neutral gray suit but will also complement it.
This pairing will give you a modern and stylish appearance.
To make this combination truly work a sandy violet or deep purple tie should be your option.
Pink Shirt and a Navy Suit
A pink shirt is one of the best combinations for a navy suit.
Similar tie tones will complement this combination but for a more conservative look pick a matching textured navy tie.
Ties in stripes or plaids will also work well with this combination.
Pink Shirt and a Tan Suit
A dusty brown or a patterned tie will play off the warm neutral tones of a tan suit. A softer pink shirt will also be set off well with a brown tie.
Combining the Black Shirt
The black shirt is not everyone’s go-to choice but it’s a great color to add to your wardrobe.
Black is great because of the slimming effect that it has.
It helps create that lean-looking figure as it removes any potential shadows that would be obvious in a lighter shade.
Another great thing about black is that it goes with any skin tone.
Black shirt and Gray Suit
Black can do wonders for creating a fashionable contrast with gray.
A black shirt under a gray suit will enhance the formal look.
It’s a great combination for winter. A red or black tie will work well with this combination.
Black Shirt and a Black Suit
Although this is a very common combination it can fall a bit flat as there’s not much you can do to dress it up.
For this look, your tie is the focal point so wear a tie that is interesting.
Deep jewel tones, whites or a satiny black tie will create a sense of dimension.
Combining a Checked or Striped Shirt for a change
If you’re going in for a checked shirt then your tie has to be the standout garment.
Your tie should be bolder and darker than your shirt to make a clear distinction. For a more toned down print, a flamboyant tie in a vivid print or pattern will work well.
The stripes in your ties should not be the same width as those on your shirts.
Thicker stripes on the tie against a thinner striped shirt or polka dots will complement the striped shirt.
The contrast will work well with this combination too and a plainer tie is usually your best pick.
Print Shirt and a Navy Suit
If the printed shirt has some sort of blue or navy color it will work really well.
No matter which color of suit you choose to match the print with always go for a subtle print that will not take away from the suit.
Pinstripes and smaller checked patterns go well with a navy suit.
Printed Shirt and a Black Suit
For this combination to work, you need to marry up the colors.
Whatever print you choose to wear under the black suit, ensure that it has some black in it.
However, keep the prints small and tonal to avoid a style faux pas.
A black tie will complete the look as it will stand out against the printed background or better still, don’t wear a tie at all for that smart look.
Finally…
No matter what you choose to pair your suit with it’s important to remember that in order to stand out, your suit needs to be the right fit.
The fit of the shoulder is very important as it is the difference between a well-tailored and badly tailored suit.
Choose the right combinations for your suit sensibly in order to avoid embarrassing yourself in public.
When in doubt read various guides like ours to help you decide.
Images – Pinterest
Thank you for sharing. Keep it up.
Hey Kunal, glad you found the piece helpful.