No matter how much you spend on a suit, a mismatched shirt will ruin the entire look. You’ll look sloppy and out of place — and that’s definitely not the image you want to project.
On the other hand, if you get your suit and shirt matching up perfectly, you will look stylish, confident and prepared for anything.
Styling yourself can be tricky. That’s why at Woolcott St we do more than just create bespoke business suits. We’re here to help you build your wardrobe and guide you on how to match your suits with ties and shirts so that you’re always dressed to impress — your way.
How to get a suit and shirt matching
First things first: when we say ‘matching’, we don’t mean you have to wear the same patterns and colours throughout. That can get boring!
To match your suits with ties and shirts, it helps to consider the following:
- A crisp white dress shirt always looks good with a suit ensemble, but the look of a white shirt is elevated if you pick a shade of white that matches your ensemble better or a shirt that plays with patterns and fabric.
- Coordinating colour, pattern and fabric is key to styling a matching look.
Once you understand how these different components interact with each other in an ensemble, you’ll get the basics down pat in no time! Eventually, you will even learn how to play with them for bolder one-of-a-kind looks.
Tips on how to match suits with ties and shirts
There are basic rules you can follow that will help you match your suit and shirt. Matching your shoes, belt and other accessories will also follow the same principles:
- Know your colours — Understanding colour will be the foundation for styling yourself. Matching complementary colours together is relatively intuitive, but what can be difficult is recognising undertones, which determine how warm or cool-toned a colour looks.
If you have a charcoal or navy suit with cool undertones, opt for shirts and ties in shades of blue, grey and white. For warmer undertones like brown or tan, earthy tones such as beige, olive and rust work well. When matching ties, choose a colour that complements both the suit and shirt — and as a general rule, ensure the tie is darker than the shirt but lighter than the suit.
If you’re unsure, you can always turn to the expert tailors at Woolcott St. for guidance and advice.
- Play with patterns — This can seem intimidating at first, but you don’t have to start with very loud patterns. Simple patterns are a great way to add another dimension to your look, especially when you go for more monochromatic or muted colours.
A good rule of thumb is to match suits with ties and shirts that pair smaller patterns with bigger ones. For example, you could pair a dress shirt with a tiny dotted pattern and a tie featuring a bolder print.
You just have to keep in mind the proportions of the patterns.
- Mix up different fabrics — This keeps your suit ensemble from looking too flat and is a fantastic way to change things up every now and then.
One thing to keep in mind when you match your suits with ties and shirts is that it’s better to avoid mixing various fabrics or differing textures — this can make the ensemble appear mismatched.
As long as your entire ensemble is still appropriate for the weather and occasion, feel free to experiment. Once you understand these basic rules, you’ll be ready to mix and match items to turn your business suit into a smart casual look for any event or occasion.
Tying it all together
Accessories play a bigger part than you may realise when it comes to coordinating your suit ensemble. They can help you in matching your suit and shirt by seamlessly tying all the elements together!
Experiment with these suit accessories to complete your look:
- Socks, shoes and belts can help style your suit up or down.
- Cufflinks, watches and lapel pins can polish off a look and add an extra layer of formality to your suit.
- Ties, tie clips and pocket squares are fun ways to add pops of colour and varying textures to your suit.
Dress to impress with the help of Woolcott St.’s world-class tailors
We do more than craft custom wedding suits and business attire — we’ll help to show you how to dress yourself — and enjoy the process! For instance, we can guide you in choosing the perfect shirt to match your suit and finding the right accessories to complete your look.
Our expert team of tailors can help you curate a wardrobe that fits your body and lifestyle. Let us guide you through the process of styling a full suit ensemble, from your dress shirt to the socks on your feet. We even offer a travelling service for busy gents who are always on the go — just let us know where you are, and we’ll come to you.
Book a fitting with us today and experience the Woolcott St. difference with our bespoke tailoring.