How to combine which shirt? Our styling tips for style-conscious men
Year after year, men's fashion is becoming more versatile – and the same applies to shirts. Alongside classic colors, thousands of new shades are shining at us: rosé, lilac, petrol. With this variety, especially when looking at ties, it is easy to lose track.
Men who wear shirts radiate self-confidence and assurance. When the shirt is skillfully showcased with a color-coordinated tie and suit, a WOW appearance is guaranteed. Whether business style or casual, in our guide we reveal how each shirt can best be combined.
White shirts: If doubt, go white!
While around the turn of the millennium white shirts were worn rather rarely, for example only for special occasions such as a funeral or wedding, this color is making a strong comeback. Nowadays, white shirts can also be combined casually, for example worn under a sweater, without the outfit immediately looking stuffy. A well-kept white shirt also always looks good with jeans. With a Kent collar or even a tab collar, it looks particularly elegant; with a button-down collar, it is well suited to sporty outfits.
But even when worn classically with a suit, the simple look can be enhanced with a tie that matches the suit. A shirt with a shark collar gives your suit Italian chic.
In fact, you can't go wrong with a white shirt.
Our tip: Always pay attention to the quality of your shirt. If the fabric is very fine, an undershirt is absolutely essential underneath.
This goes well with it:
- Almost anything. The combination with a dark blue suit is especially on trend: it looks smarter and emphasizes the radiant white.
- A white shirt and a black leather jacket? A top choice!
Better not:
- An undershirt with a round neckline peeking out at the collar. A tiny bit of fabric like that can completely ruin the look.
Blue shirts: serious and stylish
Blue shirts, too, have increasingly been worn with elegant outfits in recent years. They can be combined with almost all suit colors such as black, brown, or grey. With matching ties, ideally tone on tone, they remain a popular business outfit. Blue shirts can also be worn casually in private. Without a tie and with jeans, a blue shirt looks just as good as it does with a color-coordinated tie and dress trousers.
This goes well with it:
- Dark blue ties – look harmonious and serious
- Light ties with blue stripes
- Dark grey and black as color partners
Better not:
- You should only wear bright colors as accents in your leisure time
Light blue shirts: versatile and so elegant
A light blue shirt is the ideal companion for everyday office life and an absolute fashion evergreen. There is no situation and no outfit where this color would be inappropriate. So if you want a shirt for office emergencies, be sure to get one in light blue.
Light blue is a great companion: the color flatters the facial features and makes the outfit look warmer. In addition, the color can be combined wonderfully.
This goes well with it:
- Dark blue, wine red, and green ties
- Pink and bright pink ties – ideal in summer and spring
- Orange ties combined with a dark blue suit
Better not:
- Light blue ties
Beige shirts: For flexible shirt wearers
The beige shirt is always a popular shirt color when you cannot quite decide whether to choose a classic white shirt or a colored shirt. A beige shirt looks very understated with a dark suit and thus emphasizes that the shirt is being worn for a special occasion.
In combination with a light-colored suit and a tie in bold colors, however, the beige shirt makes the entire outfit look casual. For leisure or for a classic style, the beige shirt can also be combined well with dark blue or black jeans, and fashionable sneakers can be worn with it too.
This goes well with it:
- Cream-colored ties
- Striped ties in beige/pink
- Ties with a gray-white pattern
Better not:
- Do not combine it with too many dark pieces, otherwise the beautiful color gets lost. One contrasting piece is completely sufficient.
Pink shirts: a fashion statement
The pink shirt has recently become a true classic in men's fashion and is now impossible to imagine absent from men's wardrobes.
A pink shirt looks elegant with a dark suit and a well color-coordinated tie, ideally tone on tone, of course.
A pink shirt can also be worn casually with jeans. A pink shirt looks particularly good in combination with dark brown trousers and a darker tie. It is neither too casual nor too elegant, but the man still looks stylish.
This goes well with it:
- Dark blue tie
- Very trendy: combine petrol with salmon pink
- Blue polka-dot tie
- Burgundy with a subtle pattern
- Pink with a blue pattern
Better not:
- Yellow and light green make the outfit look unserious
Black shirts: a gentleman's favorite
A black shirt can look elegant or fashionable depending on the occasion. Models made from slightly shiny chambray fabric look particularly refined. If you want to stand out without risking a faux pas, black is definitely the safe choice.
A black shirt worn under a light sweater looks very elegant. However, the sweater should not be white, but rather an elegant creamy shade. A great business combination is a gray suit and a dark metallic tie. The look appears classic and elegant if you combine it with a light gray suit and refine it with a striped tie. The black shirt with widely spread collar points is absolutely wonderful.
This goes well with it:
- Basically anything you like. Pick up the color of your suit (e.g. a black silk tie goes well with a satin lapel) or the color of your eyes.
- Contrasting colors
- Elegant ties, e.g. in intense burgundy
- Mottled grey – especially stylish
Better not:
- Black from head to toe: This calls for a subtle play with shades of black and different fabrics if you don’t want to look like a Matrix character.
- White suit: If at all, then only the jacket.
Champagne-colored shirts: Even more sparkling than white
A champagne-colored shirt is often worn nowadays as an alternative to a white shirt. This color is especially suitable for a shirt at your own wedding, as the bride very often chooses a wedding dress in this color. A shirt in champagne looks very elegant and stylish when combined with a subtle tie, ideally tone on tone and without appliqués or motifs, and a black suit. A model with French cuffs should be chosen, combined with elegant cufflinks, preferably made of real silver.
Younger people in particular prefer a champagne-colored shirt, as it does not look as formal as a white shirt.
This goes well with it:
- Brown nuances refine the look
- Champagne tie with a subtle sheen – very festive
- Grey colors
Better not:
- Too much contrast distracts too much from the elegant color
Yellow shirts: Dare to shine
We associate the color yellow with summer, sunshine, and the beach. But the color can do much more than just awaken a desire for vacation. Yellow looks very elegant and stylish. Yellow shirts look great in casual outfits and skillfully brighten up classic looks. The range of shades is broad and offers something for every skin type: pastel lemon, warm mustard, yellow with a green touch, bold sunny yellow. Most of them are checked and therefore easy to combine. Simply pick up the color of the pattern in a jacket and the shirt will immediately look calm and smart. Since every shade of this color is still quite eye-catching, it should always be accompanied by subtle colors.
This goes well with it:
- Striped tie that picks up the color of the shirt and the color of the suit
- Solid-colored tie that repeats the color of the pattern on the shirt
- Grey and dark blue are the best partners
Better not:
- Neon yellow shirt with a black tie
- Bright ties and striking patterns
Brown shirts: Understated and stylish at the same time
Brown shirts not only look very masculine, they are also versatile. Whether business style, casual look, or country style – they perfect every outfit and can be combined with many colors.
This color is ideal for anyone who values classic colors and is looking for variety. Anyone whose wardrobe mainly consists of grey, black, and white pieces will certainly also love brown. Even though the color has a calm effect, it is not boring and is also more forgiving on the skin: while dark shades such as black can quickly make the skin look older, brown appears softer and does not immediately reveal every little wrinkle.
This goes well with it:
- Olive green and dark red – autumnal and totally elegant
- Light beige and dark brown – a play of several shades in one look shows a true style professional
- Is the shirt striped? A polka-dot tie can visually enhance it
Better not:
- Be careful with yellow and orange: choose versions that are not too bright!
Grey shirts: Simple, but wow!
Combine grey with grey and still look absolutely stylish? With a grey shirt and a dark grey suit, it’s possible. The combination looks very high-quality and stands out from the crowd. A plain and simple shirt in grey or anthracite is so universal that it goes with every outfit in your wardrobe. Combined with a black tie and slim jeans, the shirt looks very casual and yet absolutely business-appropriate. For even more WOW effect, wear a thin black sweater over it. Attention – be sure to pay attention to quality, otherwise the look can quickly appear cheap.
This goes well with it:
- Black ties
- Ties in striking colors: yellow, red, etc.
- Reddish-brown and olive-green nuances
Better not:
- Choosing gray tone-on-tone – looks very boring and absolutely unnecessary given the huge selection of gray shades.
Green shirts: The color of the self-confident
Camouflage, military, olive – hardly any color has as much power and masculinity as green. At the same time, this color is an absolute must-have in the wardrobe of creative types and self-confident fashion junkies. Every season, menswear designers surprise us anew and present green in unbeatable combinations. Sometimes green appears on a cheeky shirt with a green-and-white animal pattern, sometimes the green color is hidden in a high-quality business shirt that makes you wonder: Is that still green or already black? No matter which version you choose, green is a good alternative both for everyday wear and for very special occasions.
This goes well with it:
- Black tie with a green-and-white shirt in a Vichy check pattern
- Dark turquoise with a green patterned shirt
Better not:
- Be careful with moss green: some skin types look older in this color
Purple shirts: Flattering and elegant
Anyone who chooses a purple shirt should follow one rule: pastel shades are better suited to business outfits. Strong purple tones, on the other hand, are unbeatable for festive outfits because they make every outfit shine. Especially when purple is combined with dark blue and gray. Purple stands for luxury, prosperity, and wealth and, if not overused, enhances your look in no time.
A purple shirt is also an absolute must-have for leisurewear. Combine it with sand-colored trousers or light blue jeans. Loosen up the look with a white T-shirt and wear the shirt open. Perfect for outdoor parties or a sightseeing tour in the city!
This goes well with it:
- Dark blue tie and suit: very elegant
- Light blue polka-dot tie: modern and light
- Metallic burgundy: festive and refined
- Black: trendy and young
- Dark blue with white stripes: serious and mature
Better not:
- Combinations of intense purple with snow white
- Be careful with orange: use only sparingly!
Red shirts: Pure energy!
Careful, red! Despite common belief, the color red is not that complicated at all. This famous signal color rarely appears on its own, so even the shy among us need not worry about color overload. If you wear red, do it well: the color tolerates no slip-ups and can quickly turn its wearer into a peacock.
For business, choose a red shirt in muted tones, for example a shirt where the red is already almost tending toward gray. Burgundy is also ideal for business outfits. Combine it with a gray tie and a gray suit. To spice things up, wear just a blazer with dark gray jeans. This immediately makes the look appear much fresher.
Checked red shirts for leisurewear belong in every wardrobe. Whether blue jeans, black trousers, or camel chinos: it is almost impossible to ruin this look. A clever idea: “hide” a red shirt under a light sweater and let only the collar peek out – it looks incredibly fresh and energetic.
This goes well with it:
- A tie that repeats the red color of the shirt
- Gray striped ties
Better not:
- Light-colored and yellow ties
Turquoise shirts: An eye-catcher for hot summer days
Shirts in maritime colors are eye-catchers and stand out. Anyone who likes wearing turquoise knows exactly: this color likes it cool and understated. That is why you should be especially careful when combining it. If you are unsure, it is better to go for pastel turquoise – you can hardly go wrong with that. Those who are bolder and choose a more intense shade will be rewarded. No color highlights a light tan and blue eyes as beautifully as this sea color.
A checked shirt with turquoise and rose goes wonderfully with light brown chinos or light blue jeans. Worn open, it looks wonderful with white Bermuda shorts and a white T-shirt. Holiday vibes guaranteed!
A turquoise shirt is also excellent for the office. Simply combine it with a light linen blazer and wear light blue jeans with it. The shirt looks especially stylish with a light beige suit. Even with a dark blue suit – ideally with a polka-dot tie that repeats the suit color. Wonderfully fresh and elegant!
This goes well with it:
- Dark blue ties
- Striped ties with shades of blue
- Classics like cream or black
Better not:
- Burgundy: too much holiday mood in the look
- Dark green: difficult to combine, tends to look rather restless
Striped shirts: For the fashion-conscious
A striped shirt is still found in many men's wardrobes and time and again it is one of the classic as well as casual garments.
With striped shirts, the shades are especially decisive in determining whether the shirt is more suitable as business attire or casual wear. If the stripes are subtle and emphasize the actual base color of the shirt instead of overpowering it, the shirt belongs among the classic and elegant garments. Well combined with suit trousers and a tie that, for example, matches the shade of the stripes, a man can be sure that he has chosen a smart and elegant outfit.
Striped shirts that have both a strong base color and bold stripes can ideally be worn as casual wear with casual trousers or jeans - a tie should be avoided with this combination.
This goes well with it:
- Solid-colored or polka dot ties
- Striped ties are also possible, as long as the two stripe patterns differ clearly
Better not:
- Stripes in neon colors
- Bold stripes in a business outfit
- Colorful ties
Checked shirts: for a young fresh look
For checked shirts, essentially the same applies as for striped shirts: in business settings, the colors should be rather subtle and the checks smaller, while in casual wear they can be a bit more colorful and eye-catching.
Checked shirts can be combined well with jeans and sneakers to create a sporty outfit for young and young-at-heart men.
This goes well with it:
- Solid-colored ties
- Similar pattern sizes for patterned ties
Better not:
- Combining small patterns with other small patterns
Patterned shirts: Fancy something new?
Striped shirts go well with business looks, while all other patterns are more suited to casual outfits. You should never combine more than three patterns in one outfit. But when combining shirt and tie patterns, it is advisable to rely on contrasts. You should not choose a tie with light blue dots for a shirt with blue stripes. If the stripes are quite thin, the dots should not be large either. What always looks great is using the same colors in different shades. Contrasts look exciting and show that the shirt wearer has a fine sense of fashion.
This goes well with it:
- Combinations such as dark tones with dots or paisley
- A combination of small and large patterns
Better not:
- Neon colors
Printed shirts: Say it with symbols
Stripes, stars, squares, dots: by now, there is nothing that does not exist. Fashionable printed shirts not only look original, they also make the look lively, authentic and unconventional. You just need to know exactly what matters when styling them. Our tip: Before you buy a printed shirt, take a look through your wardrobe. Can you put together at least two looks with such a shirt? Then go for it. Otherwise, it is better to keep browsing in the online shop.
As a basic rule, a printed shirt can only handle a calm setting, because it is the focal point of your look. Combine trousers and jeans in classic colors and avoid additional patterns. Even though mixing patterns is en vogue, it is difficult to combine them in a way that does not become too much.
This goes well with it:
- Jeans
Better not
- Too many accessories