How to Wear Patterns

How to properly wear a patterned tie:

This is hands-down one of the largest issues guys will face when putting an outfit together.  We all know that the tie should be roughly as wide as the lapel of our jacket, but we all find difficulty in matching patterns together.  An easy thing to do is to find a patterned tie you like (please make sure the colors are not crazy but actually fit together), but the tough part is making sure the tie matches your shirt.  Now, the best way to match a patterned tie with a shirt is to either A) cop out and just wear a solid white shirt, or B) wear a solid shirt that is an accent color of your tie.  Option A is almost always the safest way to go, but for those of a bolder taste, Option B can be a daring choice.  I am sure some of you are wondering right now “But Zaug, what about wearing a patterned tie with a patterned shirt?” Well, while that is possible, it is almost always too much for an onlooker to take in.  But, if you are looking to try and pull it off, keep these three things in mind: Be sure to keep the two patterns tonal; Keep the patterns simple; and NEVER combine stripes with more stripes.

How to be bold in a patterned shirt:

Repping a patterned shirt is rather simple, all you really need to do is make sure your pants either  compliment the color, are (like above) a subtle accent color from the shirt, or are simply a basic solid color that doesn’t  contrast with the shirt.  Now, what patterns are “professional?”  Your safest bet will always be gingham or plaid, these are both classic patterns that go with almost any outfit and occasion.  A more bold approach would be to wear a small pin dot or a striped shirt.  While these patterns are a bit more uncommon in dress shirts, they can be a welcomed surprise when worn with a suit and solid colored tie.

How to rock that checkered blazer:

Seeing as its Fall, I feel the need to properly address one of the staple menswear choices that appears: the plaid blazer.  A classic business casual accessory, the plaid blazer is an icon of fall weather and bold fashion.  You can either be conservative or fun when pulling this off, but I personally prefer the more conservative approach for business settings.  A simple way to make your blazer pop is to wear a feint dotted shirt under it that has a tonal match, but make the outfit pop with a loud colored tie. A bolder look would be matching your blazer with a lightly striped shirt and patterned tie that accents the jacket nicely.