what shirt and tie for patterned suits?

[kaizo]

I've always wondered what goes well with small patterns like grey hounds tooth and grey birds eye. What colour and pattern shirt and tie would you match it with? Are mixing patterns like herringbone a taboo?

 

[Big Texas]

Depends on the size and scale of the patterns in the suit. Generally speaking, if a pattern is so small as to resolve to a solid when viewed at greater than arm's length distance, it can be treated as a solid (provided you don't pair it with similar micropatterned items).

It's hard to make sweeping generalizations here without seeing precisely what items you have in mind. For 99% of people, it's probably safest to go with a solid shirt, and either a solid tie or a tie with larger scale patterns than the suit's.

 

[cptjeff]

2 patterns is perfectly fine and normal- and pretty easy. Just make the pattern of the suit and the other pattern (either on the shirt or tie) different in scale. 3 patterns can get tricky- don't try it until you've mastered two. Just wear either a plain shirt or a plain tie whenever you wear the suit, you'll generally be okay.

 

[kaizo]

Thank you both for your reply in that case I'll experiment around with the pattern matching sans tie for the moment. I've just got a windfall paul smith birds eye suit from a friend so I'll give that a go.

 

[VinnyMac]

...pictures for clarification?

 

[kaizo]

My apologies upon reinspection the only birdseye I seem to have is my blue sportscoat, When I took a glance this morning I thought one of the 3 I received was birds eye but it looks like another micro pattern unknown to me. Please let me know if you know the name of it.

The birdseye sportscoat:




New Paul Smith suit of unknown micro pattern:

 

[minervau]



My apologies upon reinspection the only birdseye I seem to have is my blue sportscoat, When I took a glance this morning I thought one of the 3 I received was birds eye but it looks like another micro pattern unknown to me. Please let me know if you know the name of it. The birdseye sportscoat: New Paul Smith suit of unknown micro pattern:

I would treat them as solids for mixing and matching purposes.

 

[kaizo]

I would treat them as solids for mixing and matching purposes.

Hi thanks for the reply. I'll go ahead and try some striped shirt tomorrow in that case.