Looking for ties to wear with striped shirts? This post is for you.
Matching a tie with a striped shirt is one of those things that seems easy, but inevitably stumps fashion experts and newbies alike. In covering menswear for years, I’ve written extensively on ties from broader content on suit accessories, to more specific posts on tie bars and the best tie fabric by season. Through that, I’ve picked up a few tricks that will help you easily decode the striped shirt and tie puzzle.
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Striped shirts (like a blue pencil stripe) are our thing this fall and they should be on your radar too. But to some guys, the idea of wearing a striped shirt is immediately followed by a wave of anxiety over what shirt and tie combo you’ll wear. Do the colors have to match the shirt or the suit? Can I wear a striped tie on a striped shirt? What about a bow ties? Ah, the hell with it, this seems like a lot of work, I’ll just stick with my old reliable solid shirts.
Sound familiar? Well, we’re going to cure you of this particular affliction with this visual guide to striped shirt and tie combos.
The truth is, you can match a striped shirt with all kinds of ties. You can also come out looking like a straight up clown if you mismatch a striped shirt. So here are the secrets to getting it right.
Matching a tie to a striped shirt can be tricky business. You might think that the only thing that matters is whether the colors will complement each other – but it turns out, there are a few more things to consider when coordinating your look. These are simple but essential rules to make the perfect match.
Here are 4 rules for matching ties to striped shirts:
Rule #1: Tie and shirt color should be complementary
The color of the stripes and the color of the tie should be complementary. Notice that we didn’t say that they have to match exactly. A bit of contrast between the color of the stripes and the tie color is fine. What’s the right color? That depends more on you than on the shirt. For more on that, check out our article on dressing from the inside out.
Rule #2: The scale of the stripes should be different
Keep the scales different. When the shirt stripes are thin and tight, a broader striped tie stands out in a good way. Having differing scales will be eye-catching and improve your look.
Rule #3: The scale of the stripes and the pattern should match
Match the scale of the stripes with the scale of the pattern. Got a shirt with fine stripes? Reach for a tie with a strong base color and small pattern. Got a shirt with broad stripes? Reach for a tie with a spaced-out geometric pattern to complement it.
Rule #4: Tie length should be just right
Naturally, you’ll want your tie to be the right length for you and what you’re wearing. A tie that’s too long will only succeed in making you look silly. It’s the same with a tie that’s too short. A tie of the appropriate length should have its lower half disappear under your suit, leaving the top half exposed and presentable.
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There are good combinations of striped shirts and ties, and there are bad ones. I’ve compiled a list of don’ts that you should be aware of. If you don’t want to look like a total disaster, consider avoiding these combinations of striped shirts and ties. Beware!
Here are 3 bad combinations of striped shirts and ties:
Shirt and Tie Combo 1: Striped shirt + solid tie
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How Guys Screw It Up:
They pick a solid color out of left field. The stripes are red, so why the solid black tie? But black matches everything, they cry out in knee jerk reaction. Not so. The contrast of saturated colors against black is usually pretty jarring. Orange and black, may be a good choice for going to a Baltimore Orioles game or a Halloween party but not a great combo for your office getup.
How To Get It Right:
The color of the stripes and the color of the tie should agree. Notice that we didn’t say that they have to match exactly. A bit of contrast between the colors of the stripes and the color of the tie is fine. What’s the right color? That depends more on what you look like then on the shirt. For more on that check out our article on dressing from the inside out.
Shirt and Tie Combo 2: Striped shirt + striped tie
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How Guys Screw It Up:
We’ve all seen the guy with the mix of stripes on stripes who looks like he’s wearing an M.C. Esher painting on his chest. When the stripes in the shirt and the stripes in the tie are the same size things go off the rails.
How To Get It Right:
Keep the scales different. When the shirt stripes are thin and tight, a broader striped tie stands out in a good way.
Shirt and Tie Combo 3: Striped Shirt + Patterned tie
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How Guys Screw It Up:
There are two types of people in the world. Those who show some restraint with their tie patterns, and those who go batshit crazy when it comes to patterns. The latter are the ones who end up looking like a hot mess when they wear an overblown paisley with sixteen colors on it with their striped shirts. Don’t be one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
By now, you’ve learned about the ins and outs of matching ties to striped shirts. Still, you might have a few questions remaining, so here are answers to a few of the most common:
Are striped shirts still in style?
Yes, and it’s hard to imagine that they’ll ever go out of style. Striped shirts are a good break from plain, patternless shirts and they’re striking when worn well. Every well-dressed man should at least own one!
How do you match a dress shirt and tie?
Colors matter. You shouldn’t try to match their colors as the tie will disappear entirely. Ties should stand out (in a good way), so try choosing a tie that does just that. However, make sure that your shirt and tie carefully complement each other.
Is it okay to wear a tie with a short sleeve shirt?
If you want to look a little younger, you can try a tie and short-sleeved shirt combo; it’s unorthodox but not necessarily in a bad way. Just be sure to wear it in the right setting and remember the rules for matching a tie to a shirt stated above.
What color of shirt and tie should I wear to an interview?
We’ve all asked what color suit is best for an interview? And what color should my shirt and tie be? In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with playing it safe with a light blue shirt and black or navy tie. It’s a simple but effective combo, tried and tested.
More Great Style Articles to Explore
If you’re looking for more great style choices to improve your wardrobe, we’ve got plenty of articles for you to learn more:
- Searching for the perfect lapel? Here’s the ultimate guide to peak lapels.
- Need further help with ties? Here’s how to wear a tie clip.
- Want to know more about pockets? Here are different types of suit pockets.
- Lastly, would you like to know about the 8 best suit accessories to add to your wardrobe?
In Conclusion
Striped shirts and ties are a classic combo but can still look very stylish when done right. I’ve taught you how to choose the perfect match, so that if you ever find yourself wanting to experiment with this combination, you’ll be armed with all the knowledge to pull it off!
How To Get It Right:
Match the scale of the stripes with the scale of the pattern. Got a shirt with fine stripes? Reach for a tie with a strong base color and small pattern. Got a shirt with broad stripes? Reach for a tie with more a spaced out geometric pattern to complement it.
Simple, right? So what are you waiting for? You don’t have any striped shirts, you say? Well, we can fix that. Check these out…
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