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Do shirt colours mean anything?

Styleman

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i.e. Blue shirt, white shirt, pink shirt etc.

Do they mean different things, as in for different days, different levels of formalness, different occasions, different status?
 

Manton

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White is certainly the most formal, followed by blue. Pink is fine for business, but cannot be considered formal.

According to a strict interpretation of the rules, it is acceptable to wear a subtle, simple stripe with formal day wear (stroller or morning coat) but only if the collar and cuffs are detachable, and solid white.

I don't there is any real signficance to colors and patterns.
 

Styleman

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White is certainly the most formal, followed by blue.  Pink is fine for business, but cannot be considered formal.

According to a strict interpretation of the rules, it is acceptable to wear a subtle, simple stripe with formal day wear (stroller or morning coat) but only if the collar and cuffs are detachable, and solid white.

I don't there is any real signficance to colors and patterns.
Which is more formal; a pale or royal blue?
 

Manton

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Which is more formal; a pale or royal blue?
Pale. For shoes and suits, darker is more formal. For shirts and accessories, lighter is more formal. Generally speaking.
 

Styleman

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(Styleman @ Feb. 21 2005,15:37) Which is more formal; a pale or royal blue?
Pale. Â For shoes and suits, darker is more formal. Â For shirts and accessories, lighter is more formal. Â Generally speaking.
One can wear blue shoes?? With what? If white is most formal, is it suitable for buisness, or too formal?
 

Manton

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One can wear blue shoes?? With what?
Only Elvis may wear blue shoes, and only in suede.

If white is most formal, is it suitable for buisness, or too formal?
White shirts are perfectly fine for business.
 

linux_pro

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i.e. Blue shirt, white shirt, pink shirt etc.

Do they mean different things, as in for different days, different levels of formalness, different occasions, different status?
I've never heard of shirt color meaning anything, although I will say that it is rare to see businessmen wearing dress shirts in colors outside of white, blue, light tan or grey (or other subdued colors, generally light), or the contrasting collar/cuff that Manton mentioned but generally with subdued stripes or light colors (yellow, lt blue, lt gray, etc). I've never worn a shirt with detachable collars/cuffs, and I don't recall seeing them in any of the shops were businessmen acquire their dress attire, so I'm not sure they are necessary for normal professional dress.

If dressing for a professional interaction (job interview, business meetings, etc), you do not want to be seen as overly eccentric in terms of dress. Think safe, as in white. Wearing a purple shirt and crazy patterned tie with all kinds of color in it will make you look like a schoolkid. Maybe you could get away with it when you're 40, but don't try it under 30. It looks silly. I've never thought the wilder colors/patterns looked fashionable on young people - I thought it made them look like some kind of uneducated rube trying to play "dress-up." Might as well be walking around in a throwback jersey and bleached jeans. That's not the image you want to portray in professional situations, EVER. Better safe than sorry, as they say. Yeah, some people will think you look cool in your purple shirt, but most will just think you look like a kid straight out of college - wet behind the ears, and too young to handle any real responsibility. You do not want to be seen like that.

I've decided not to hire people during interviews over things like the fact that the guy was wearing some silly patterned Banana Republic shirt with a ridiculous tie during the interview (and always without a blazer or suit), or showed up in a green or purple solid shirt, etc. You'd be amazed how many people I've interviewed that showed up like that. A few decided to speak in ebonic slang, which really blew me away (what could they possibly have been thinking?). Anyway, that's for another thread.

Here's my 2 cents, in relation to professional dress: Avoid bright solid colors, or any patterns other than the simple subdued stripes. Stick with traditional collars, no crazy cut-aways or butterflies. Wear shirts that will not overwhelm, in any way. Wearing a dress shirt that looks like it cost $300 may feel great to you, but a potential employer may see it as silly. You do not want to EVER be seen as silly.
 

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