Midnight blue is what you want if you’re going for something slightly less serious than black. Black can feel too heavy and somber. Wear blue to bring a little bit of color to your outfit.
White shirts make color matching much easier. Gray requires a little bit more consideration when selecting your tie and accessories. White is great for formal settings. Gray is a little less formal, but it’s fine for all but the most somber events.
If you’re feeling bold, try picking a lighter shade of blue. It will stand out much more, but you can match different shades of blue without much of a problem. Pick a tie with a heavy texture that looks distinct from the suit you’re wearing.
Brown is far more versatile than black. If you have to choose one option, go with brown so you have shoes for a variety of settings.
Whatever you do, don’t wear a belt! It doesn’t look good as part of a formal outfit. Most belts also don’t match well with midnight blue. If you’re planning on including a pocket square, match it with the color of your shirt or tie. Red and white are usually great options.
If you’re looking for something more versatile, go with a navy blue suit instead. It’s better for frequent usage. Don’t wear a true blue suit more than once a week.
If you’re worried about finding matching shoes and a tie, stay with a white shirt. You could also try putting on a printed shirt. Keep the print light so it doesn’t stand out too much.
If the event is more on the formal side of the spectrum, wear a solid tie instead. Choose a deep red color or a shade of blue that is a little lighter than your suit.
Prints can contrast poorly with a suit, so choose them with caution. For example, don’t pair a print with a pinstripe suit. If you’re looking for a basic style that matches with most blue suits, choose a white shirt with a light print.
Stay away from black or cream-colored shoes. They won’t look right when paired with your suit.
Belts are always optional and many people think they should never be worn with a suit. If you choose to use one as an accessory, match it to the color of your shoes.
If you have to choose one color, go with navy blue. It’s versatile enough to fit in at most formal and casual events. It’s also the best choice if you don’t wear suits very often. The downside of a navy blue suit’s versatility is that you have to select your outfit with care. Use darker colors for formality, but switch to lighter colors for casual settings.
Pinstripes come in different sizes. Since big stripes stand out so much, stick to thinner stripes to prevent your suit from becoming too informal and distracting. Pinstripe designs often come in handy for day to day business settings. However, you will need to choose ties and other accessories carefully to avoid any color clashes with the stripes.
Remember to coordinate your shirt choice with your tie. The shirt needs to be a different color than the tie.
Pinstripes or other prints can work if you’re careful. Don’t wear these ties with a pinstriped shirt or jacket. Also, pick small, faint prints to keep your outfit spiffy.
Test the shoes out before making them a part of your outfit. Look at yourself in the mirror to see how well they match with your jacket. Black shoes are too formal for business settings, so you’re better off sticking to brown.
Never wear a belt to business formal. It looks too casual and you will probably be around people who don’t think it’s a good look.
Light blue suits are associated with summer, so many of them are made with lightweight material like linen or seersucker.
Although you can try wearing other colors, keep in mind that they may make your suit look a little too colorful. If you can, avoid wearing both a shirt and a tie that are a different color than your suit. White shirts are also good options if you like wearing your suit without a tie.
Gray shirts are the most neutral of the options available and are better for formality without a lot of color clashing. Gray shirts don’t go well with bright ties or other accessories, so switch to white if you plan on using any. Light blue pairs well with darker blue suits. If you’re wearing a light blue suit, get lilac or pink for more contrast. Keep in mind that the shirt will stand out almost as much as the suit! Stay away from other colors, including green and yellow. They are too similar to blue and don’t pair well in large amounts.
Prints are all about standing out. The shirt color should contrast your suit. For a tie, the color needs to contrast your shirt. If you’re not interested in the additional flair from patterned items, wear a simple white shirt.
White shirts usually work best without a tie. They tend to appear neat and fashionable, but you could try another color for a bolder look.
Remember that lighter colors tend to stand out more, so cream-colored shoes will make you much more visible. Save this kind of outfit for casual wear in summer. If cream isn’t your color, pick a lighter shade of brown. It doesn’t require as much work to fit into an outfit. Try a more casual style of shoe, such as brogues or monk straps.
Instead of wearing a belt, consider using suspenders instead. Suspenders hold up your pants like a belt but can be hidden underneath your jacket. To avoid your outfit from getting too cluttered, don’t wear any other accessories. You don’t need a tie or a heavy watch for a casual outfit.
