Choosing a good shirt and tie combination is crucial for creating a good and lasting impression at work. Your workplace attire isn’t just limited to expressing yourself but also for promotion. 80% of managers agreed that the way someone dresses affects their chances of being promoted. What’s more is that it even helps improve your confidence. Who knew something trivial like visual harmony was linked to displaying professionalism in your workplace? Now that you understand the impact of these combinations, let’s help you with some must-try shirt and tie combinations.

A] Some Basic Colour Rules to Keep In Mind

Most colour rules are derived from the colour wheel. We’ve simplified the colour wheel concepts for better understanding:

  • The safe shades

Shirts in light colours suit well with ties in dark colours. Some options here include a white shirt with a maroon tie, a light blue shirt with a navy tie, and a light pink shirt with a navy tie. When in doubt, go for these shades.

  • The opposing colours of the colour wheel

These colours look in harmony despite being on opposite sides of the colour wheel. Examples of these include dark blue and ochre, blue and orange, green and purple, and more. For instance, you can pair a dark blue blazer with a gingham-checked shirt and a dark yellow tie. Another example of this combination is a navy blue blazer with a blue striped shirt and a textured orange tie. 

  • Neighbouring shades of the colour wheel

The adjacent shades in the colour wheel, such as blue and purple, pink and red, yellow and orange, and so many more, are part of the analogous colour scheme. Examples of these include pairing a light blue vertically striped shirt with a raisin-coloured silk tie. Another example of this is pairing a magenta or dark pink vertical pencil-striped shirt with a red textured tie. 

B] Some Amazing Shirt And Tie Combinations

If you randomly pair any shirt and tie, there’s a high chance that it won’t pair well. Here are some shirt and tie combinations that you can trust:

  • Solid shirt combinations
  • A light pink shirt with a baby pink tie for a fashionable look.
  • A textured white shirt with a black textured tie for a young look.
  • A dark red shirt with a dark grey tie, with a black blazer for a sharp look.
  • A black cotton shirt with a black silk tie for an alluring look.
  • A dark brown cutaway collar shirt with a black textured tie for an entrancing look.
  • A white shirt with a beige tie for a chill look.
  • A black shirt with a shiny light grey tie for an upbeat look.

 

  • Striped shirt combinations
  • Light grey vertically striped shirt with a dark grey rep tie. 
  • A blue vertically striped shirt with a patterned maroon tie. 
  • A blue vertical shirt with a navy blue and beige rep tie.
  • A violet vertically striped shirt with a navy rep tie. 
  • A purple checked shirt with a navy pin dot tie.

 

  • Textured shirt combinations
  • A light pink Oxford shirt with a navy polka dot tie 
  • A light yellow Oxford shirt with a patterned grey tie.
  • A white Oxford shirt with a patterned pink tie. 
  • A light blue cambray shirt with a brick red-coloured textured tie. 
  • A light pink cambray shirt with a maroon polka dot or microfibre dot tie.

 

  • Patterned shirt combinations
  • A navy printed corduroy shirt with a black tie.
  • A maroon printed corduroy shirt and a beige tie. 
  • A polyester material shirt in dark brown, military green, or dark grey colours with a smooth black satin tie.
  • A fine micro-printed black shirt with a matching colour plain or textured black tie.

Here are our carefully selected jacket suggestions to pair with a shirt and tie:

  • A crisp white shirt with a sleek black suit, complemented by a black satin tie. 
  • A pastel blue shirt with a dark, checked green tie and a dark grey textured suit.
  • A solid navy suit with a plain white shirt and a light grey textured tie.
  • A dark brown suit with a patterned navy tie and an off-white shirt.
  • A navy suit with a pink Oxford shirt and a navy blue tie. 
  • A black suit with a vertical pastel yellow striped shirt and a dark navy blue tie.
  • A square-checked navy blue suit with a light yellow plain shirt and a basic navy blue or black tie.

C] A Few Popular Shirt And Tie Options Worth Trying:

Here are a few trending shirt and tie combinations you can try:

  • Opt for a light blue vertical striped shirt with a vibrant brown tie to draw the focus to your tie.
  • Opt for a light blue, plain shirt with a bright red, patterned tie for a trendy and captivating look. 
  • Opt for a grey linen shirt with a red satin tie for a formal yet trendy look.
  • Opt for an army green shirt with a brown textured shirt to give a unique look.
  • You can also pair a casual polo shirt with a suit and matching trousers for a fresh look.

Trendy shirt, tie, and suit combinations:

  • A red suit, a blue shirt, and a navy blue tie combination for a memorable look.
  • A black suit, white shirt, and a purple silk tie will give an elegant vibe. A similar combination can be followed with a patterned red tie.
  • An army green shirt with a black shirt and a black satin tie will give an intense look, maybe not suitable for all.

Just remember not to be afraid to experiment while trying certain trends.

D] Occasion-Based Shirt And Tie Combinations

Some curated shirt and tie combinations based on different occasions: 

  • Business meeting

A light blue Oxford shirt with a maroon satin tie and dark grey textured trousers for a stunning meeting look. 

  • Interview 

A light blue vertical striped shirt with a dark blue rep tie and navy blue trousers will help you nail any interview easily.

  • Weddings

An orange blazer with a textured orange tie and a peach-coloured shirt looks mesmerising for any wedding look.

  • Casual Friday

A blue or red casual checked shirt can be paired with their darker shades for a Fun Friday look.

  • Dinner

A black linen shirt with a light grey tie and grey trousers for a late casual dinner with your colleagues. A navy blue formal shirt with a black tie and trousers will also serve the same purpose.

E] Certain Easily Avoidable Shirt And Tie Combinations

Some shirt and tie combinations to stay clear of: 

  • No contrast at all

There should be some contrast in your tie and shirt combination. For example, go for a plain black shirt and a black satin tie instead of a plain black tie.

  • Neon or bright colours

Neon colours like pink, yellow, green, or purple can be avoided in both your shirt and tie, as they look too flashy. 

  • Too many patterns

Too many patterns in your shirt, tie, and suit can confuse the viewer on where to focus. Stick to two patterns at most.

F] Strategy For The Perfect Shirt And Tie Combinations

Creating a perfect tie and shirt combination doesn’t have to be a complicated task. For starters, you can pair pastel shirts with a dark-coloured textured tie. Next, you can use printed ties. Go for dark colours in shirts and both light and dark colours in your ties. Once you feel comfortable, you can slowly try certain trends, experimenting with vibrant colours. Towards the end, we're sure you'll know your favourite shirt and tie combination to implement. If you're looking for all the above-mentioned choices of shirts, Thomas Scott has a wide variety of these with a premium feel, prioritising sustainability. With a wide variety of options in colours, patterns, fits, occasions, and so much more, contact us today.