How to Match Patterns: Suits, Shirts, Ties and Accessories
Pinstripes, checks, paisley ties: the rules for mixing patterns across your suit, shirt, tie, and pocket square without the outfit fighting itself.
Pattern matching is a pretty simple game when you understand how it all works. We understand a lot of men are not interested in adding patterns because they don't want to stand out and they are not sure what to wear it with. We hope this quick post can help you overcome that or gain confidence in your ability to pull it off well.
The Golden Rule
Patterns should never be the same size, shape or pattern in the same outfit. This means a pinstripe shirt should not be paired with a pinstripe suit. If you are wearing a pinstripe suit opt for a polka dot tie, paisley pocket square and a solid shirt.
If you are wearing a glen check suit opt for a check shirt and polka dot tie with a solid pocket square.
We recommend not going past 3 patterns per outfit. It will allow the right things to pop without risking going overboard. If you want to start with 2 patterns until you are use to it that would be the right way to start. Don't try and mix 4 patterns right off the bat, ease yourself into it.
Start here.
- Tie Length: How Long Should a Tie Be?
- When to Add a Vest to Your Suit (And When It Works Against You)
- Suit Lapel Styles Explained: Notch, Peak, and Shawl, Which Is Right for You
- The Double-Breasted Suit: When and How to Wear One
- How to Match a Tie to Your Suit
- Oxford, Derby, Loafer, or Monk: A Dress Shoe Guide for Suits
Patterned Suit
We never recommend a patterned suit for your first few suits when you are wanting to start building your wardrobe. Navy blue is always our recommended starter suit with charcoal and light to mid grey next. All solid colours. A patterned suit is usually less formal and harder to match with other clothes in your wardrobe.
The goal for us is to see you build an interchangeable wardrobe, a patterned suit makes it harder to do that. Once you have about 3-4 of the essentials you can introduce a patterned suit since you won't be wearing it as much. If you are not a business professional we highly recommend a solid navy blue suit (see ours for $571 off!) or one with a very subtle pattern like the black glen check. It is a timeless suit that you can wear for many years.
Conclusion
Never match patterns with the same pattern, for example pin stripe to pin stripe.
Never match patterns with one of the same size, for example glen check to windowpane.
If you are a professional do not buy a patterned suit until your 4th or 5th suit.
Patterns are less formal than solid colored suits.
If you need help or would like some advice do not hesitate to reach out, we would love to help!
Mixing patterns is easier when you know your colours. Take the two-minute style quiz and see what your colouring suits and your first step.
Take the Style QuizMore on putting a suit together.
The details
- How to Wear a Pocket Square (Without Overthinking It)
- How to Wear a Three-Piece Suit
- The Accessories Every Man Should Own
- Do You Have to Wear a Tie With a Suit?
