Archive for July 18th, 2005

How To: Mix and Match Shirts and Ties

While Mondays can be dreary, your work wardrobe doesn’t have to be. Say goodbye to plain shirts and plain ties, and say hello to the world of pattern!

Easier said than done.

But Style Intelligence Report is here to walk you through the basics of mixing and matching patterns. Let’s look at the shirt and tie combos case by case:

Case I: Patterned shirt + Plain Tie
Best Bet: Repeat in the tie one of the colors in the patterned shirt. Alternatively, choose a tie in a color complementary to the dominant color of the shirt.

Two-Color Stripe Premium Barrel Cuff Shirt
Two-Color Stripe Premium Barrel Cuff Shirt | $78 at Banana Republic

Solid Repp Tie
Solid Repp Tie | $39.50 at JCrew

Case II: Plain Shirt + Patterned Tie
Best Bet: Have one of the pattern colors in the tie echo the color of the shirt. Alternatively, choose a shirt in a color complementary to the dominant color of the tie.

End-on-End Shirt
End-on-End Shirt | $59.50 at JCrew

Tonal Paisley Tie
Tonal Paisley Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Case III: Patterned Shirt + Patterned Tie: Same Pattern
If you’re mixing two of the same pattern, say, two stripes, vary the size of the pattern. Choosing patterns of the same size and type can look too matchy-matchy. Show that you’re in the know by choosing one large and one small stripe.

Classic Stripe Shirt
Classic Stripe Shirt | $65 at JCrew

Regimental Striped Tie
Regimental Striped Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

Case IV: Patterned Shirt + Patterned Tie: Different Pattern
If you’re mixing two different patterns, say, a dot and a check, keep the size of the patterns on the same level. If you mix two patterns of two different sizes, the results will be overwhelming to the eye. Unless you’re going for a super eclectic look, choose two patterns on the same scale.

Green Check Shirt
Green Check Shirt | $69.50 at JCrew

Multi-Dot Tie
Multi-Dot Tie | $59.50 at Banana Republic

6 comments July 18th, 2005


Calendar

July 2005
M T W T F S S
« Jun   Aug »
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Posts by Month

Posts by Category