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Advice for bold colors.

Flippincorvette

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My law school told me I needed to have five suits. I had to purchase an extra two to reach that amount. I’ve got the suits, but I want some bold choices for ties without looking tacky. The suits pictured here are not the exact ones I purchased from my local formal wear store. These are very similar however in color. What would be some good looking shirt, and tie colors, that can be perceived as bold? Thank you!
Edit- Just wanted to make it clear my green suit is plain not patterned. This was the closest example I could find to the shade of green.
 

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dieworkwear

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The ties pictured here aren't the sort of thing I would wear to a law firm (I assume you now work at a law firm). If you really want to wear bold ties, you can try Hermes. They are known for their bolder silk prints. That said, I think shops such as Drakes, EG Cappelli, Vanda Fine Clothing, Chipp Neckwear, and Sam Hober offer much more tasteful options.
 

maxalex

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While you did not ask for advice on suits themselves, the photos compel a response. Even assuming one of your suits is not actually brocade like the dark green example you provided, the color itself would be inappropriate at a law firm. Indeed even men with dozens of suits generally manage to get through life without a green one.

And the light grey (or blue?) suit is also not ideal although possibly acceptable in summer.

You can find lots of advice on building a basic lawyer’s wardrobe but in essence you should probably start with five variants in navy and medium to charcoal grey. Dark suits convey power and seriousness to clients (and juries and judges if you are a trial lawyer). Vary the fabric more than the colors—meaning lighter weave materials for summer and heavier cloth for winter (but always wool).

Your instinct for bold ties is fine—that’s what ties are for, especially to set off dark suits. But unless you want to look like a riverboat gambler, your shirts should be white or light blue. In the history of mankind no one has ever remarked, “Check out the clueless dude who wears a white shirt every day!”

You say you bought the two suits at a local formal wear shop, which suggests that they were not very expensive. Perhaps you might consider replacing them with slightly better choices in terms of both color and construction. Again, lots of advice in this forum on good entry-level suit brands.

Pay attention to what the senior partners at your firm wear. You want to look like them.
 
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Phileas Fogg

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Your law school told you that 5 suits are needed? Your law school administrators have been watching too much TV.
 

rjc149

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Ties can be a little louder and bolder if your suits are conservative. As stated above, they soften the austerity of a dark business suit, hence why business ties can have novelty print patterns, stripes, polka dots etc.

The two ties you pictured are perfectly appropriate for a business outfit.

Business shirts worn with a necktie should be plain white or sky blue. Pink, yellow, pinstripes etc. are better for a less formal, no-tie look.
 

Flippincorvette

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While you did not ask for advice on suits themselves, the photos compel a response. Even assuming one of your suits is not actually brocade like the dark green example you provided, the color itself would be inappropriate at a law firm. Indeed even men with dozens of suits generally manage to get through life without a green one.

And the light grey (or blue?) suit is also not ideal although possibly acceptable in summer.

You can find lots of advice on building a basic lawyer’s wardrobe but in essence you should probably start with five variants in navy and medium to charcoal grey. Dark suits convey power and seriousness to clients (and juries and judges if you are a trial lawyer). Vary the fabric more than the colors—meaning lighter weave materials for summer and heavier cloth for winter (but always wool).

Your instinct for bold ties is fine—that’s what ties are for, especially to set off dark suits. But unless you want to look like a riverboat gambler, your shirts should be white or light blue. In the history of mankind no one has ever remarked, “Check out the clueless dude who wears a white shirt every day!”

You say you bought the two suits at a local formal wear shop, which suggests that they were not very expensive. Perhaps you might consider replacing them with slightly better choices in terms of both color and construction. Again, lots of advice in this forum on good entry-level suit brands.

Pay attention to what the senior partners at your firm wear. You want to look like them.
My school exists in the twilight zone of the south. Traditional black, grey and blue suits aren’t looked at fondly by local individuals. They convey a look that suggests you are from up north. A good majority of business suits here are tan, brown, light grey, or just western themed in general. Anything dark is frowned upon.
 

rjc149

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My school exists in the twilight zone of the south. Traditional black, grey and blue suits aren’t looked at fondly by local individuals. They convey a look that suggests you are from up north. A good majority of business suits here are tan, brown, light grey, or just western themed in general. Anything dark is frowned upon.
That’s actually pretty interesting.
 

Flippincorvette

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My school exists in the twilight zone of the south. Traditional black, grey and blue suits aren’t looked at fondly by local individuals. They convey a look that suggests you are from up north. A good majority of business suits here are tan, brown, light grey, or just western themed in general. Anything dark is frowned upon.
Also the green suit is actually a shade. Mine isn’t patterned. That’s the approximate color of the green.
 

maxalex

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My school exists in the twilight zone of the south. Traditional black, grey and blue suits aren’t looked at fondly by local individuals. They convey a look that suggests you are from up north. A good majority of business suits here are tan, brown, light grey, or just western themed in general. Anything dark is frowned upon.
Okay, got it. Then my final bit of advice still holds: Dress like the top lawyers in the firm dress (the male lawyers that is). With any luck they're wearing seersucker suits!
 

dieworkwear

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If you're in the South, Ben Silver has some really nice neckwear. Much of it is very tasteful.

 

mensimageconsultant

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Purple is one of the most versatile bold tie colors.
 

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