Matching Striped Ties with Striped Shirt

Matching Striped Ties with Striped Shirt – Yay or Nay?

Every day we receive an e-mail or phone call with questions regarding matching a striped tie with a striped shirt. This has now inspired us to write a ittle tutorial. The short answer to weather or not you can wear a striped tie with a striped shirt is YES. Definitely YES! But before you take your favorite striped shirt and pair it with your striped ties, you should know one simple rule: MAKE SURE THE STRIPES ARE DIFFERENT IN SIZE! Two striped patterns that are too similar in size/scale will create too-busy of a look that can cause a disconnect. Instead opt for different widths, different scale, and different spacing. Here are a few good, as well as a few bad examples of pairing a striped shirt with a striped necktie.

The GOOD
We did a little bit of searching for some good examples of pairing multiple striped patterns into one well-balanced outfit. Here are four excellent examples of pairing striped shirts with either striped suit or a striped necktie.
Every man should own at least one of these narrow striped shirt in white and light blue. They are the perfect canvas for a wide range of slightly wider striped neckties.

A great examples of pairing four patterns into one well harmonizing outfit. The regimental striped tie pairs nicely with the narrow striped shirt, while the subtle window-pane check on the suit adds interesting character without being too flashy. The dotted pocket square adds nice color and “fun” to the overall ensemble.

One of our favorite examples of pairing a striped shirt with a striped suit can be seen here. The very fine pin striped on the shirt are paired with a wider spaced pin-striped suit. While the stripes are similar, it is the spacing that makes this outfit work so well.

Another great example of wearing a striped shirt with a striped suit. Again, it is the scale that makes the two striped complement each other. The solid black knitted tie adds texture without adding another pattern into the mix.

The BAD
Above are some of our favorite looks using different striped patterns in one outfit. If you still are a bit confused on what works, and what doesn’t, here are some exampls you should NOT replicate.

A bad combination of striped shirt and striped tie can be seen here. The striped on the shirt are too similar to one of the striped designs on the tie (the two narrow parallel stripes). It is a look that is just too busy. Instead a repp-stripe tie with a classic wide striped pattern would have been a much better choice.

Seersucker is a perfect summer fabric on both suits and ties. But pairing two of the same seersucker pattern looks a bit too busy. This look would have been much better if a single colored cotton tie would have been chosen.

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team