A Great Color Combination

Items in this set:
Red wing boots
Gap Mens Whiskered Authentic Authentic Fit Jeans (Authentic Wash), $55
Gap Purple gingham shirt, $40
wedding & parties furnishings White linen pocket square, $42
Navy & Polka Dot silk knit tie

While walking to lunch yesterday I passed a gentleman wearing a purple gingham shirt, navy silk knit tie & a cream colored jacket. It was a very cool, modern and attractive combination. I have been wearing a purple gingham shirt with a navy tie for a while, but the addition of the cream colored jacket really puts the outfit over the top.

Personally, I would wear the purple gingham shirt, like this one from J Crew, with a navy blue silk knit tie, like this one from Ralph Lauren. I would then throw on a cream and tan linen jacket to complete the look. This outfit would look good with navy slacks, tan or khaki pants or great with a pair of dark jeans.  However you wear the outfit you can be sure that this color combination works great, as is evident in this purple gingham shirt, cream suit and blue ground paisley tie. I would opt for a different colored pocket square, but it is an otherwise smart looking outfit. I think a white linen pocket square is the right choice with these colors, the crisp white would make the dark shirt and tie colors pop. It also avoids the outfit feeling to coordinated.

This is certainly an outfit combination worth stealing! Hats are off to the man on the street yesterday, he certainly has a nice sartorial sense.

Multiple Patterns - shirt and tie

Wearing multiple patterns at the same time is all about wearing complimentary patterns and colors. A blue striped shirt with a blue polka dot tie is attractive since the blues in both patterns are complimentary and the patterns don't clash. Two competing plaid patterns would fight against each other and be distracting to the eye.

Keep it simple. Focus wearing a simple patterned shirt: striped, windowpane, tattersall or gingham check all can be basic patterns and easy to pair with a tie.

The tie should have a simple pattern. A polka dot tie, a rep tie, a horizontally striped tie, a simple plaid or a minimalist paisley tie will work best. Most of the tie should have a solid color that is in the same hue as the shirt. The other color or colors in the tie should be in the same family of colors or a complimentary color.

Lastly, wear a plain suit with clean lines. Stay away from the herringbone, striped or windowpane check for the suit. A simple suit will add balance to the outfit and give the eyes a safe place to rest. The simple suit will act as an anchor keeping the outfit grounded.

Start with something safe before branching out to the more daring. Remember you must be comfortable and confident to be able to make the outfit work.