How to Match a Shirt and Tie With Your Suit: Simple Rules That Always Work

Start with a white or light-blue shirt, choose a tie that is darker than the shirt, and repeat one colour from the tie in your pocket square. Mix patterns only when they are different sizes, and match the tie width to your lapel width.

Rule 1: the shirt is the base

A white or light-blue shirt works with every suit colour. Once you have those, add pale pink, lavender or fine stripes. For evening events and tuxedos, a crisp white formal shirt is the standard — browse LORD formal shirts.

Rule 2: the tie should be darker than the shirt

Contrast keeps the look sharp. A dark tie on a light shirt is always safe. Navy, burgundy, deep green and charcoal ties pair with almost any suit.

Rule 3: mixing patterns

• Keep one solid piece in the outfit — usually the suit or the shirt.
• If you mix two patterns, make them different scales: a fine-striped shirt with a bold-striped tie, for example.
• Avoid three busy patterns at once.

Rule 4: width and proportion

Match the tie width to the lapel width: slim lapels with a slimmer tie, wider peak lapels with a classic-width tie. The tip of the tie should touch the top of your belt buckle.

Rule 5: the pocket square

The pocket square should complement the tie, not copy it exactly. Pick up one colour from the tie, or keep it simple with white. LORD tie sets come with a coordinated pocket square, which makes this easy — see our ties.

Safe combinations

• Navy suit: white shirt + burgundy tie, or light-blue shirt + navy tie.
• Charcoal suit: white shirt + silver or black tie, or pink shirt + navy tie.
• Black suit: white shirt + black or silver tie.
• Beige suit: light-blue shirt + brown or navy tie.
• Tuxedo: white formal shirt + black bow tie.

Get it right in one visit

Our team can help you put together the suit, shirt, tie and pocket square in one visit to any LORD store. You can also book an appointment from any product page on the website.

Frequently asked questions