What color dress compliments a royal blue suit

The blue suit has been gaining popularity in recent years, offering a contemporary and fashion-forward look without sacrificing elegance or panache.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to master the blue look. I’ll introduce you to the best shirts to wear with your blue suit and delve into the appropriate accessories.

You, too, can carry off the vibrant blue look like a real gentleman without appearing attention-seeking or loud. No matter what the occasion!

Contents

• 1 The Color Wheel
  • 1.1 Single Color Scheme
  • 1.2 Analog Color Scheme
  • 1.3 Triad Color Scheme
  • 1.4 Complementary Color Scheme
• 2 Choose the Blue Suit by Fit
  • 2.1 Classic Fit Blue Suits
  • 2.2 Slim Fit Blue Suits
• 3 Blue Suit and White Shirt Color Combinations
  • 3.1 Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Red Tie
  • 3.2 Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Pink Tie
  • 3.3 Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Black Tie
  • 3.4 Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Blue Tie
  • 3.5 Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Navy Tie
  • 3.6 Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Brown Tie
• 4 Blue Suit and Pink Shirt Color Combinations
  • 4.1 Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Red Tie
  • 4.2 Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Pink Tie
  • 4.3 Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Purple Tie
  • 4.4 Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Blue Tie
  • 4.5 Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Navy Tie
• 5 Blue Suit and Blue Shirt Color Combinations
  • 5.1 Blue Suit with a Blue Shirt and a Red Tie
  • 5.2 Blue Suit with a Blue Shirt and a Blue Tie
  • 5.3 Blue Suit with a Blue Shirt and a Navy Tie
• 6 Blue Suit and Black Shirt Color Combinations
  • 6.1 Blue Suit with a Black Shirt and a Black Tie
  • 6.2 Blue Suit with a Black Shirt and a Blue Tie
• 7 How to Match Shoes with a Blue Suit
• 8 Why Choose a Blue Suit
  • 8.1 Blue Suits are Playful and Luxurious
  • 8.2 High Selection of Accessories

The Color Wheel

The color wheel tool helps us establish the basis of all color combos. Understanding the wheel allows you to explore different combinations, concepts, and styles.

As you can see, the color wheel is split into cold and warm colors. The cool, calm colors are on the left, and the warmer, more vibrant colors are right.

The color wheel enables you to create near-to-perfect matching combinations. But be aware that the wheel is meant to be a guide only. There are no hard and fast rules.

The best way to learn color combinations is through your personal experience.

So by following the color wheel, we can create four basic combo color schemes:

Single Color Scheme

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The single color scheme leads to the same color combination for your suit, shirt, and tie. This is the most straightforward scheme to achieve and is a great place to start for every outfit.

All you need is to match darker and lighter shades of the same color. A mid-blue suit with a light blue shirt and a dark blue tie is a great example.

Analog Color Scheme

With the analog scheme, you match up similar colors. If you look at the wheel, you can see that similar colors are neighboring colors, i.e., adjacent colors.

This means you can wear a warm tie with a slightly cooler suit and shirt. In addition, analog color schemes can be very pleasing to the human eye.

You can match a blue suit with a light purple shirt and a slightly darker purple tie as an example of this color scheme. Looks good, doesn’t it?

Triad Color Scheme

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Here you can match colors three slots apart from each other.

The contrast combo brings harmony to your look, but it can be difficult to visualize. Blue and red, for example, are opposite sides of the wheel.

So, they should clash. The trick here is to pair the darker tones of each component.

For example, match a scarlet tie with a light-blue shirt and a blue suit, and you’re sure to make an impact.

Complementary Color Scheme

These colors lie on opposing sides of the wheel, making the complementary scheme one of the hardest to pull off.

Experience helps here, but one rule of thumb states your tie should be darker than your shirt.

One perfect complementary color scheme example will be matching a blue suit, a light-blue shirt, and an orange tie. This combination is a real trendsetter nowadays.

Want to explore deeper? Let’s say you wear your dark blue suit with a pale orange shirt. The ideal tie color could be either dark green or dark red.

Sounds a bit wild? Not according to the color chart. Try it and see.

Choose the Blue Suit by Fit

Blue displays confidence, but so does the man in the suit. We’ve talked about how a suit should fit and its importance many times by now.

Believe it or not, fitting your suit defines you. Thus, getting the correct fit and measurements is crucially important.

Classic Fit Blue Suits

If your preferred fit is classic, blue can pair extremely well with the suit you’ve chosen.

Classic fit suits are often chosen for work and business occasions or any other formal events. As a matter of fact, they can be a marvelous choice for weddings, too.

For your convenience, I’ve selected some best-selling classic and modern-fit blue suits sold online. Feel free to take a look:

Best Choices

#1: Classic-fit blue wool suit by Suitsupply.
#2: Classic-fit light blue polyester suit by Braveman.
#2: Modern-fit blue suit by Tommy Hilfiger.
#3: Two-piece royal blue suit made of Italian wool by Tomasso Black.
#4: Modern-fit polyester-blend blue suit by Suitshop.

Slim Fit Blue Suits

Blue slim-fit suits are the trendsetters at the moment. Excellent for any occasion, they are one of the most popular choices by most people. Especially the young ones.

If your body type is slim or skinny, boost it with extra confidence. Don’t hesitate to choose the blue suit. It will make you appear sharp, calm, and luxurious – all at the same time.

Best Choices

#1: Slim fit wool blue suit by Calvin Klein.
#2: Two-piece blue suit made of Italian wool by Tomasso Black.
#3: Slim-fit light blue suit by Suitsupply.
#4: Slim fit stretch wool blue Suit by Calvin Klein.
#5: Stretch slim fit blue suit by Kenneth Cole Reaction.

Blue Suit and White Shirt Color Combinations

You’ve already figured out that the blue suit is a perfect base for any add-ons. But where to start?

Each shirt has its distinctive features, silhouette, style element, and color.

Therefore, when choosing a shirt for your blue suit, consider also the various aspects of the shirt, not just the color.

You’re looking for a shirt that will embolden your blue look. Thus, you can never go wrong with a crisp and clean white shirt matched with a blue suit. Period.

A tie adds the final flourish to your look. And again, your blue suit is the perfect canvas, just waiting for the right tie to make a real statement.

The tie can also be a subtle touch that projects quiet confidence and a relaxed ego. You decide!

Ties have been essential menswear components since, well, forever. The right tie can transform your look and considerably up the appeal of your blue suit.

Here are a few blue suit/shirt/tie combinations worth playing around with until you find what works for you. Remember, it’s not just the color of the tie that counts. The shape and texture play important roles too.

Best Choices

#1: Slim fit white shirt by Calvin Klein.
#2: Regular fit white shirt by Van Hausen.
#3: Slim fit shirt in white color by Kenneth Cole.
#4: Slim fit white shirt by Amazon Essentials.

Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Red Tie

This is a truly eye-catching combo and is suitable for both formal and casual occasions. The warm red tie against the cool white shirt backdrop really pops. Your blue suit adds an attractive frame to the ensemble.

Go for a patterned or thin woolen tie and brown loafers for less formal events. A wider, solid color silk tie with black dress shoes is perfect for those exceptional moments.

The red shades can vary from light to burgundy, depending on the shade of your suit. Look to the color wheel for advice on choosing the right red tie for your blue suit white shirt combo.

Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Pink Tie

Pink goes remarkably well with blue. It pops against the white shirt but adds a more subtle note than a powerful red.

A mid-width, solid pink tie in silk will look great at any gathering. Pink will match with any shade of blue suit. In my opinion, the color works better in summer.

As such, you should combine the blue/white/pink look with black dress shoes with thin leather soles. Avoid shoes with thick rubber soles that remind us of winter.

Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Black Tie

Pairing a blue suit with a black tie is a great look for those tough business meetings and other occasions where you need to be in control.

Thinner black ties of cashmere or silk work best. The rule of thumb says black tie pairs with black leather shoes and a black leather belt.

Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Blue Tie

A blue tie with a blue suit and white shirt adds an interesting monochromatic effect to your outfit. This look allows the choice of both brown or black shoes.

Of course, you need to vary the shades of blue. For example, if you wear a dark blue suit, choose a light, powder blue tie. On the other hand, a light blue suit will call for a darker blue tie.

If the two shades are closely related, it’s perfectly okay to go for a patterned or striped tie.

Thin wool or cashmere ties are great for relaxed, quasi-casual events. But for formal occasions, change to silk and choose a wider tie.

Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Navy Tie

Navy is always a safe choice. More formal than casual, the combination works well with wider, high-quality silk or satin ties.

So go for patterned ties or ties with thin white stripes to compliment the white shirt backdrop.

You could get away with shiny brown loafers with this look. But a brown leather dress shoe is probably the best option.

Blue Suit with a White Shirt and a Brown Tie

At first glance, brown is not an obvious choice to go with a blue suit. But you can consider brown as basically a very dark version of orange.

So as orange is a complementary color to blue, the combination starts to make a lot of sense.

Brown ties lend themselves to wool and cashmere. Or even cotton, depending on the formality of the occasion.

Brown shoes are an obvious choice here, as is the belt, which should always be leather.

Blue Suit and Pink Shirt Color Combinations

We’ve already established that a pink/blue combo is a pretty smart choice.

A pink shirt pulls off the feat of contrasting with your blue suit in a way that is pleasing to the eye. But the color works far more subtle than a white shirt.

The color wheel tells us that pink is a lighter version of red, yet it has carved a place in the fashion world entirely on its merit. A powder pink shirt will go with just about any shade of blue suit.

The softness of the pink works best in warmer seasons and climates. Add a specific color tie to your pink shirt/blue suit outfit to create an eye-catching en vogue statement.

Best Choices

#1: Slim Fit pink shirt by Calvin Klein
#2: Metal Cufflink Regular Fit Pink Shirt by J.Ver
#3: Tailored fit light-pink shirt by Buttoned Down
#4: Unlisted Regular Fit Pink Shirt by Kenneth Cole

Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Red Tie

As I’ve already mentioned, pink is a lighter shade of red. So pairing a pink shirt with a red tie seems an obvious thing to do.

But because the two colors are so closely related, you need to go all out to create a contrast.

Pair a powerful red tie of finest silk with a pale pink shirt. If your shirt is cotton, a thinner wool or cotton tie works too. Keep the knot mid to small.

The combo of blue, red, and pink simply cries for brown shoes and a matching belt.

Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Pink Tie

Any same-color combo can be tough to achieve with success. But it will make a real impression if you do pull it off. The trick here is to mix things up.

A patterned suit with a plain shirt and a patterned tie. Or a plain suit with a patterned shirt and a plain tie.

You get the picture. If you must go plain shirt and solid color tie, a darker tie on a lighter shirt is probably the best option. Pai black or brown shoes and belts with this look, according to the occasion.

Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Purple Tie

Purple is the color of kings. It’s also closely related to the red/pink family of color shades.

A wide, purple tie can be problematic with a blue suit, but the pink shirt serves well to facilitate the transition from one color to another.

The royal color deserves the finest material, so a tie made from high-quality silk is recommended. Also, go for the full Windsor knot to top off the regal look.

Black or brown leather shoes and belt, according to mood and formality of the event.

Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Blue Tie

That is a particularly neat combo option for your blue suit outfit. Different shades of a blue suit and tie matched with a powder pink shirt can create an elegant, well-thought-through impact.

A mid-width, cashmere tie, and brown non-scuffed loafers work well here. Alternatively, a thin striped silk tie can be paired with black leather shoes. Of course, your belt should always match your shoes.

Blue Suit with a Pink Shirt and a Navy Tie

This combo works as above but adds a subtle note of refinement. The navy tie helps to ground your outfit and leans to the formal side rather than relaxed.

Navy lends itself naturally to patterns and stripes. But please don’t go overboard.

Subtlety is key. A darker wool tie is perfect to combine with a light blue suit. This is one of the occasions when you could even pull off a pink shirt of a more powerful tone.

Both black and brown shoes, highly polished and in good condition, can complete the look.

Blue Suit and Blue Shirt Color Combinations

The unicolor combination can be hard work to get right. Yet, the impact when you do pull it off can make all that effort worthwhile.

Wearing a blue shirt with your blue suit creates a smooth blend of shade and texture that can be very easy on the eye. It’s a great look at any event, both formal and informal.

Shades is the operative word here. A dark blue suit coupled with a light blue shirt, or vice versa, can still create a high contrast level.

This is despite both shades belonging to the same color family. In both cases, the choice of tie color is relatively simple. The tie will build a bridge between the two blues.

You can also match blue tones that are a lot closer together on the color wheel. Here, the tie will have to work a lot harder to add balance and harmony to the look.

Best Choices

#1: Slim fit blue-striped white shirt by Calvin Klein.
#2: Slim fit blue shirt by Kenneth Cole.
#3: Slim fit blue shirt by Tommy Hilfiger.
#4: Classic Fit Blue Shirt by Buttoned Down.

Blue Suit with a Blue Shirt and a Red Tie

You can’t make a mistake with a red tie. It’s the strongest color on the wheel, so why be timid about the shade?

A powerful red tie will automatically attract attention because the color is embedded in our DNA.

It means that it works well when your suit and shirt are of a similar shade. Cotton or wool ties are acceptable for most occasions but go for classy silk at special events.

Patterns or stripes are allowed as well, adding a sense of adventure to your outfit. Black or brown patent leather shoes, coupled with a matching belt, complete the look.

Blue Suit with a Blue Shirt and a Blue Tie

There’s a danger of appearing bland when you wear this combination. So you need to take extra care with the shades and textures of your outfit.

Basically, if you stick to the color wheel, you can work with the three shades of blue next to each other. When done well, this can create a harmonious, balanced look.

Go for a wide silk tie with thin white stripes or patterns to add a minor but noticeable contrast. They can help break up the subtle monotony of the blue-on-blue look.

Brown shoes will be out of place here. So go for thin-soled, shiny black leather shoes and a black leather belt.

Blue Suit with a Blue Shirt and a Navy Tie

Again, you’re working with similar shades, so the same tips apply.

A wide, white polka dot navy tie of silk or satin will draw admiring glances. But a thin, red striped woolen tie will work too.

Keep your suit and shirt shades of blue tight, and wear black leather shoes and a belt.

The result is a sleek look that can be interpreted as professional competence or cool confidence. Or even both.

Blue Suit and Black Shirt Color Combinations

Along with white, black is a special color. That’s because, unlike every other color except white, there are no shades of black.

There’s a school of thought that says you can only wear black if you have dark hair and a darkish complexion.

The reasoning is that a pale face and light hair will look loud on top of a black outfit. I disagree to some extent, but it’s a point worth keeping in mind when you’re putting your outfit together.

Black is a grounding color, and it’s related to blue on the color wheel. So, even though it might not be an obvious choice, the pairing does make sense.

In my opinion, a black shirt works best with a mid to dark blue suit. Also, the right tie can make a positive impact here, carrying off one of two jobs.

It can bridge the divide between your suit and shirt. Or it can make a statement about your character, your ego, and your state of mind.

Best Choices

#1: Slim fit black shirt by Calvin Klein.
#2: Slim fit black shirt by Kenneth Cole.
#3: Regular fit black shirt by Van Heusen.

Blue Suit with a Black Shirt and a Black Tie

The black tie will blend seamlessly with the shirt. It creates a solid color effect that nicely offsets your blue suit.

Shirt and tie become one here, so match the textures and shirt fabrics. Silk shirt? Wear a silk tie. Cotton shirt? Then you need a cotton tie.

Width doesn’t play a huge role here, so go for whatever you’re comfortable with. If you’re aiming for a less strict look, choose a tie with bold stripes or patterns.

And of course, black shoes and a belt.

Blue Suit with a Black Shirt and a Blue Tie

If the black tie was making a statement, the blue tie in your blue suit/black shirt combination works well as a bridge. It is one of those ensembles where you can match your tie extremely close to your suit’s color.

The black shirt acts as an almost invisible backdrop for the tie, giving your outfit a balanced look. Keep the tie’s texture in line with the material of your suit.

Personally, I would never wear brown shoes with a black shirt. I’d feel much more comfortable with thin-soled black leather with a belt to match.

But this is not a hard and fast rule. It all depends on the occasion and your mood.

How to Match Shoes with a Blue Suit

Your choice for a blue suit has already created a contemporary look and a bold statement. But what shoe color would work best with the blue suit?

Lighter shades of blue are less versatile, which means that they pair best with light brown shoes. Monk straps work best here. Tan brogues and derbies are also preferable dress shoe choices.

As the shade blue darkens, so does the brown. Therefore, dark brown shoes work best with darker shades of blue suits. Don’t forget to wear a belt that has the same color and shade as your shoes.

Black patent shoes and a black belt is usually reserved for navy blue. Opt for Oxford or Derby shoes if you want extra formality to your appearance.

Why Choose a Blue Suit

Blue can be a challenging choice, and it takes a level of courage to pull it off.

Although black suits have always epitomized the ultimate, classic look for men in the past, the trend changed. Blue is synonymous with versatility and could definitely prove to be the new black.

But blue projects confidence and daring. And I’m not talking about navy here. I’m talking about true blue as a clear sky.

In fact, a navy suit is almost as safe a bet as classic black and is a reliable option at any event.

A blue suit can be dressed down or up, according to the season and time of day. What’s more, the color cries out to be united with a wide variety of other color combos, including other shades of blue.

Blue Suits are Playful and Luxurious

Well-tailored, bold blue suits work well with a plethora of combinations, and it slims the figure too.

There are a lot of men out there working their way into blue suit combinations right now. And they’re having a whole bunch of fun doing it, too.

Your blue suit-based combo creates an elegant and sophisticated look from weddings and first dates to everyday office wear, especially when accompanied by the right dress shirt, shoes, and tie.

High Selection of Accessories

Details matter. And there are a lot of matching accessories to choose from. The list stretches from shoes and pocket squares up to shirts and ties.

It is where your blue suit excels from other suit colors. Think of it as the canvas to which you, as the artist, can add sweeping strokes with the combo and accessories brush.

Almost any color will complement your blue foundation. White shirts are always a winner. But black, pink, and red all work well, to name just a few.

Add a contrasting tie, brown or black shoes with a matching belt, and you’re guaranteed to be turning heads at your next event.

To be clear, I’m not condoning wild, free-for-all color choices here. True, the real beauty of a blue suit is that it’s so darn versatile. But that doesn’t mean you can throw everything together in a haphazard frenzy.

To a greater or lesser extent, colors need to fit together, or they should create an impact through measured contrast.

Texture matters too. A thin wool tie on a silk dress shirt just won’t work, regardless of whether the colors match.

Finally, add some style to your look by choosing the right watch that will match your suit. And away you go!

Author: Alexander Stoicoff

Hi, I’m Alex, and I’ve studied and specialized in styling in Rome. Through my writing, I want to help men dress well and learn the purpose and significance of suits and other formal attire. My final goal is to make men more confident in their wardrobe choice and life in general.

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