Of course, this will already be second nature because a tie should always be darker than the shirt, without exception. When working with complementary colors, the key is to vary the shades, such as a light blue shirt with a darker, burnt orange tie. For example, a mid-blue shirt and burgundy tie (red is a contrasting hue) worn under a navy, single-breasted type of suit is a look that every man can pull off.

When it comes to shirts and ties, it’s often easier to pair contrasting colors than it is complementary. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to the colors in your shirt and tie combinations. Shirt & Tie Combinations: Colour Pairing Guidelines

The best way to combine them is to make sure one of the hues is in a darker tone so, such as navy and red. Even though they ‘complement each other, wearing them full strength is often overkill. These colors are the hardest to pair together. Complementary ColorsĬomplementary colors are opposite each other. When colors are close to each other, it’s easy to pick one color and add accessories in neighboring colors.

The tried-and-tested color wheel offers a visual representation of every shade and, more importantly, the similar, complementary, and contrasting colors of each. However, unless you want your work wardrobe to be very, very dull, you will at some point have to tackle the issue. The concept of color matching continues to stump even the most stylish of men.

Shirt & Tie Combinations: Color Wheel Basics

Red silk button up shirt