Wearing a suit isn’t as common these days, but there are definitely some instances that call for one. Formal occasions like weddings, award ceremonies, or even a date at a fancy restaurant are all great excuses to break out your best suit and get dressed up. Depending on your profession, you may also need to wear a suit to work, interviews, or meetings.
You don’t need any particular reason to wear a suit, but when you put one on, you want to look your best. There are several factors to consider when coordinating your suit and tie outfit, and in this article, we’ll help you choose a snazzy combination you love. Keep reading to learn some great men's fashion tips!
The Importance of Matching Your Suit and Tie
Matching your suit and tie is a great way to look confident and refined. We’ve all met someone who dresses so elegantly that passersby notice. That’s what putting time into your appearance does — it shows others that you are self-respecting. As a result, you get noticed and people may even assume you are important, just because of the way you dress.
Depending on the setting, it’s possible that those you come in contact with don’t even notice the effort you put into planning your outfit, and that’s not a bad thing. This may be especially true when there is a special dress code, such as a black tie event. When you wear a tuxedo, there are certain rules to follow and failure to wear the right combination will get you the wrong kind of attention.
No matter the dress code, people tend to notice more when you aren’t matching, and you may end up leaving the impression that you are uncultured or even sloppy, depending on who you meet. If you want to build the image of a successful and professional individual, we recommend avoiding any fashion faux pas.
Top Tips for Styling a Suit and Tie Outfit
If you aren’t used to wearing a suit and tie, the following tips can help you get every detail of your outfit right. Not only will you avoid faux pas, but you’ll look stylish and well-put-together!
Choose Your Suit First
As a rule of thumb, you should match your tie to your suit instead of trying to do it the other way around. Your suit is the center of your outfit, especially your suit jacket since it’s what people notice most about your ensemble. For this reason, your suit is your core color, and you’ll use it to pick out all the accessories, including your tie.
Of course, if you take off your jacket at some point, your core color will be your dress shirt or waistcoat (if you’re wearing a three-piece suit). So, just be sure to plan accordingly and choose a tie that looks great with or without your blazer or dinner jacket.
Picking out the best suit depends on the event. For example, formal dress codes or black tie optional may call for a tux or solid color black suit, although a midnight blue suit may also be appropriate at formal events.
In professional settings, your suit can be lighter, with navy suits and gray suits among the most common at the office. Patterns like stripes, checks, or herringbone are also good choices. Meanwhile, casual men’s suits tend to be slim fit and lighter in color.
No matter which suit you choose, the key is to avoid basing your whole outfit on your tie. Since it’s relatively small, your tie should serve as an accent to your suit and elevate the overall look.
Consider Color Coordination
After choosing your suit, the next step is picking out the right tie. Certain suits are easy to match, while others are a bit trickier. If you choose a pattern, such as a paisley or striped tie, make sure one of the colors in the tie coordinates with your suit color. For example, a light blue and navy tie would match a navy suit.
If you’re having a particularly hard time deciding what tie to wear, we recommend sticking with a white dress shirt since it’s extremely easy to match with just about anything (as long as you don’t pick a white tie!). Then, all you have to worry about is matching your suit and tie. Of course, you can also color coordinate with patterned shirts; you just might find it to be more of a challenge.
If your suit is black, you shouldn’t have a hard time matching it. However, you may find that many combinations look especially formal, so a good way to fix this is by pairing it with a brighter tie. For any other color suit, this rule can help: Pair dark suits with lighter color ties and light suits with darker color ties or muted pastels.
Another fun idea is coordinating your tie with your date’s outfit, especially at special events. If they’re wearing a burgundy dress, match them by wearing a burgundy tie!
Avoid Overwhelming the Outfit
You may have heard that less is more, and that’s definitely true when it comes to suit and tie outfits. Too many materials, colors, patterns, or accessories can detract from your overall look. Thus, it’s best to keep it simple. Coordinate your pocket square with your tie, and pick subtle cufflinks and tie bars.
Understand Tie Width
Shopping for ties, you’ll notice they come in various widths — skinny, normal, and even extra-wide ties are all available. So, which should you choose?
While some people claim that tie width is all about preference, the sharpest dressers will tell you this rule: the widest parts of your lapel and tie should be equal. Following this simple rule prevents your tie from looking too thin or awkward.
One more factor you should keep in mind when choosing tie width is your shirt collar. Narrow collars may look better with skinny ties and spread collars with wide ties.
Check Your Tie Length
The right tie length is crucial if you want to pull off a suit and tie combo. If your tie is too short, you’ll look silly. If it’s too long, you may look sloppy.
Here’s a general rule: Unless you’re wearing a bow tie, the tip of your tie should rest right above your belt buckle. If it’s covering your belt, it’s too long.
Mastering tie knots can help you get the right length, so be sure to practice tying your necktie in front of the mirror. If you can’t seem to get it right, you may need to try a different style. For tall guys, simple knots like the Four-in-Hand or Oriental knot are best. Meanwhile, the Prince Albert or Double Windsor knots are better for shorter guys whose ties tend to be too long.
Another option is purchasing custom-length ties that give you the freedom to use the knot you like best.
Match Your Outfit Every Time with PRIME Neckwear
Putting a suit and tie outfit together doesn’t have to be complicated, and having plenty of ties to choose from makes it all the easier!
PRIME Neckwear has a wide range of colors and styles, making it easy to find neckties that look great with every suit in your closet. Best of all, our silk ties are premium quality, meaning they look great with any outfit — formal or casual. Browse our collection of neckties and menswear accessories today!
