How to Find a Matching Tie for Your Suit

Make sure you’re sending the right message with your neckwear choice.

Step 1: Combine patterns with solids Combine solid-colored pieces with patterned pieces. Pair pinstriped suits with plain ties or pair suits with small patterns with ties with a larger pattern.
Step 2: Consider the shirt Wear plain shirts with patterned suits and ties and striped shirts with plain suits and solid color ties.
Step 3: Know how to coordinate Coordinate pale blue shirts with red, yellow, burgundy, gold, and navy ties. Wear pale pink shirts with navy and burgundy ties.
TIP: Pale men should stick with lighter colors, red-heads look best in green shades, and darker-skinned men wear bright colors well.
Step 4: Contrast color Find a balance between contrast and clownish. Jazz up a dark blue suit and light blue shirt with an orange tie. Pair a dark blue suit and white shirt with a softer pink, light green, or pale blue tie.
TIP: If you’re looking for a challenge, wear striped shirts with color-coordinating paisley, dots, or box-patterned ties.
Step 5: Match difficult suits Match checked or hound’s-tooth suits with solid-colored shirts and a coordinating patterned tie, but think twice about venturing out in a plaid suit.
FACT: Did you know? U.S. tailor Jesse Langsdorf patented the modern tie in 1924.