shirts to wear with black suit

Black suit, black shirt, black tie. It’s the classic look that’s been around for decades and is still as popular as ever.

But what about accessories? You can’t just wear a black suit with a white dress shirt, and it’s not really a good look when you pair your striped tie with a black suit either.

Here are some tips on how to make sure your outfit looks great no matter what color shirt you’re wearing:

1) The shirt should be the same color as the pants, but not exactly the same shade of black; it should be darker or lighter than the pants, whichever looks nicer on you.

2) Your shoes should also be black (or at least dark brown), but they can include other colors if they’re subtle enough—for instance, burgundy is nice because it looks like cherry wood when paired with black!

3) Finally, try wearing a pocket square in a contrasting color! If your shirt is green and your tie is blue, then match your pocket square to one of those colors—it’ll look great!

shirts to wear with black suit

If you’re in the market for a new black suit, it’s essential to know what colors go well with black. That way, when you find that perfect ensemble, you’ll be able to get the most out of your purchase. 

Understanding which colors look good together will help you decide between two black suits or help guide your decision on whether or not to buy an additional accessory like a black-tie or pocket square. But don’t worry! This article shows you which colors go best with black so that this won’t be such a difficult task anymore.

Let’s get started and explore some color combinations that work well together – I guarantee at least one of these will work for any personality type.

Choose the Black Suit by Fit

Selecting the color that’s best suited for you is a matter of understanding your sense of style. When you ask yourselves what colour shirt you want with a black suit at a wedding, then look further.

So, what color shirt with black suit wedding? When choosing the color for your black suit, you need to think about what occasion you’ll be wearing it for and how formal the event will be. If you’re looking for a wedding color combination of a shirt with a black suit, then consider whether or not there is a dress code.

For example, if you’re heading to a formal event and want to look sleek and refined, go with whites and grays. If you’re looking for something more casual, combine your black suit with browns or even bold colors like light blue. 

It’s also important to consider how many colors you want in your ensemble. Your black suit can be worn with a variety of colors such as white shirts, light blues, dark blue jeans- all of which will look amazing depending on the occasion!

There are many colors that are considered to be complementary to black. Colors that are seen as being most complementary are blue, green, brown, red, violet, purple, and yellow.

For the classic fit black suit, it is recommended to wear a white shirt or a light blue shirt. For the slim-fit black suit, it is best to wear a dark blue shirt.

All of these colors can be worn together in various combinations, so you don’t have to worry too much about which color goes well with your outfit. Click here to view our guide to wearing a black suit. 

When to Wear a Coloured Shirt with Your Black Suit

If you for any reason feel the need to wear a colored shirt with your black suit or tuxedo, here are some guidelines that will help make sure that your outfit doesn’t appear too “loud”.

Black Suit + White Shirt

This combination is one of the most classic combinations around. It goes well at formal events where people are expected to dress up.

When paired with a tie that has colors that blend well, this color combination works wonderfully for weddings, formal parties, and all kinds of other events where the dress code is either a black tie or white tie.

Black Suit + Grey Shirt

Grey is something of a “chameleon” color because it can look black unless you are standing in direct sunlight. This is why it works so well with black because together they are neutral enough to look good at any event but not so bland that you blend in with the crowd.

As long as your shirt isn’t too bright, this combination will work fine for parties or dinners where you want to wear a black suit but not stand out. Add a black tie to it to add some contrast.

Black Suit + Blue Shirt

Blue always looks good on men because it brings out the masculinity in your outfit – especially when you pair it with black to make your base color darker.

There are so many shades of blue that you can look at, but if it’s too bright, this combination could be a bit distracting for other people who are trying to listen to what you are saying.

Adding a black tie to this color combination works well if you want to appear more formal and less bright.

Black Suit + Red Shirt

Redshirts aren’t recommended for a black suit jacket because reds and blacks tend to produce clashing effects that can be hard on the eyes. You could potentially wear a red shirt with your black suit, but it’s probably best that you go with something lighter like pink or orange instead.

Black Suit+ Black Shirt

When you look at this combination, it appears that you are wearing all black.

A shirt that is black will work well with a black suit because both pieces of clothing are dark enough to not require contrasting colors.

Adding a tie with colors such as orange, yellow, or light green could look good if you want your outfit to be less bland and more fun.

This works well for people who want to blend in with the crowd because it is less noticeable than if you wore a white shirt with your black suit.

The black shirt is a must when you are tuxedo-ing for formal events, but it does tend to make you look less “fashionable.” That being said, wearing a black shirt with your black suit is still fine as long as you put on the right accessories.

When to Wear a Printed Shirt with Your Black Suit

A patterned shirt is something that not everyone will like. But if you want to be the center of attention at a formal event, then this is for you. Printed shirts are considered especially eye-catching because no two printed shirts are ever the same.

Patterns can often make an outfit more casual and easygoing, which is why it’s perfect for parties or dinners where people are expected to dress up but not too formally.

A printed shirt can also save you from having to buy an additional accessory like a tie or pocket square. But don’t worry! This article is here to show you which colors go best with black so that this won’t be such a difficult task anymore.

What Colour Tie With Black Suit

A black or dark-colored tie is always a safe choice when wearing a black suit. If you want to dress up your outfit but still make it look casual, wearing a printed tie is the best way to do that.

If you are looking for something more formal, then don’t hesitate to wear a tie with colors like orange or yellow because they will give people the impression that you dressed up for the occasion instead of showing up in an outfit that you already wore to work.

It will contrast nicely against the color of your suit and is easy to pair with almost any white shirt.

A black-tie also adds a bit formal to your outfit, so it would be perfect for a night out or cocktail parties.

Black Suit Black Tie

When it comes to formal events, a black-tie is expected. This means wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie made from silk or satin that matches the color of your dress shoes or belt buckle.

A black suit and a black tie are what you wear when attending a formal event like weddings and debut balls. It’s definitely best to wear a white shirt or a light-colored dress shirt with a black tie to offset its overwhelming darkness.

Men in black tuxedos always look classy and sophisticated, so if you want to make sure that you don’t stand out for the wrong reasons, go with this tuxedo combination.

Black Suit White Tie

This tuxedo combination is the most formal of all. If you are invited to an event like a royal wedding or debutante ball, then this is the dress code for you.

The only exceptions to wearing a white tie and black suit at these types of formal events are if you are a groomsman, usher, or something similar because your outfit should be coordinated with the other men in your party.  

Black Suit Brown Tie

If it’s been a while since you last wore a brown tie and you want to wear one now, then go with a light brown that is almost caramel-colored. If your tie is too dark, it will make your suit look more gray than black.

A brown-colored tie is a good choice for people who want to wear a bit of color without going overboard. It’s also perfect if you have a leather bag or belt that is the same color as your shoes and you want them to all coordinate nicely.

This color is perfect for weddings or graduations, but not something you would wear to work unless your office environment allows it.

Black Suit Purple Tie

Purple ties are great for formal events because they stand out against the black. Most people don’t own one since purple isn’t the most common color to see on ties, but it’s great for someone who wants something different.

Black Suit Red tie

Red ties work well for people who want to stand out against their black suits. This color can be distracting, however, so it’s best that you save it for less formal events like parties or dinners.

Try to avoid ties that are too shiny and opt for more textured ones instead. If you do want a shiny tie, then go with something in dark red since this will blend well with your suit and white shirt.

Dare to Bare

Shirts and tie combination is one of the most constraining fashion rules to follow.

You can let your imagination go wild with color and prints no matter what the event, but that doesn’t mean you should throw out all formalities either.

With this in mind, it’s best if you stick with solids when wearing a black suit.

If you’re not so sure that you want to break the rules then never fear! You have plenty of other options, but they all involve prints.

Floral prints will stand out against your black suit without being too overwhelming. If you’re not a fan of florals, then try wearing an abstract print instead for something even more unique.

But how about this? Ditch the white shirt altogether. Ok, maybe ‘bare’ was a little misleading. But why not try swapping your shirt for an alternative like a t-shirt or roll neck.

Substituting a shirt for one of these can add a contemporary twist to your look and breathe a new lease of life into your black suit.

Color Combination of Shirt with Black Suit

When it comes to color combinations for some people usually like to stick with tradition, but it can be very difficult for an average person to choose the right color combination of shirt and suit.

Normally men stick with classic colors when they are choosing their clothing. They always prefer black or blue. But there is also a variety of other colors which you can use in order to be stylish and modern.

Click here to learn more about different color combinations. 

Black Suit with White Shirt

A black suit is always one of the best options for any special occasion. This suit is suitable for official events, dinner parties, or weddings.

If you are invited to a wedding ceremony then you have to wear a black suit with a crisp white shirt and bow tie.

You can also wear this combination on other formal occasions, but usually, it is classified as too plain.

Your suit doesn’t have to be plain though. A nice printed pocket square can go a long way, so always keep that in mind!

Black Suit with Grey Shirt

Wearing a grey suit with a black shirt is not as popular as wearing a white one. But there are many celebrities who prefer this combination.

Some of them even choose to wear a black suit with a grey shirt and a red bow tie.

This color combination is also suitable for official events or weddings, but not so appropriate for dinner parties or casual events. If you go to some official event and you haven’t worn a black suit, then this color won’t be equivalent to your attire.

Black Suit with Pink Shirt

Wearing a light pink shirt will make your black suit look brighter and more stylish. This color combination is perfect for any official event, especially for business lunches. But you should avoid wearing this suit to weddings because this color will make your suit look like a bridesmaid’s dress while it’s still too early in the morning.

A black suit is always very impressive, especially if it fits you well and has a nice cut and style. You can add a pop of color to your black suit with the pink shirt, but it’s important that you don’t choose an overly bright color.

Black Suit with Blue Shirt

If you want to stand out on a night out then this combination will work well for you. A black or blue dress shirt will be perfect for your black suit. You can wear a pink or blue tie with this shirt, but avoid wearing both colors together, as it will make you look like an eight-year-old.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, a black suit is suitable for any occasion or event. You can wear a black suit with a blue, white, gray or pink shirt and look great. Or you can choose to wear a pocket square in order to be more stylish. If you want to include a bow tie then go for one that matches your shirt as well as the ties or color of your pocket square.

The most important thing is to wear the suit that fits you perfectly and makes you look your best. Remember to always be confident, even if you are wearing a black suit with an unusual color combination! And don’t forget about your shoes. They should also fit in perfectly with your overall look.

Last but not least, always remember to pick the shirt, tie and pocket square according to your skin tone. If you are pale then avoid wearing dark colors. But if you have darker skin tones then feel free to play with different color combinations.

black suit shirt and tie combinations

n this post we will cover:

• What shirt colours work best with a black suit
• What shoes to wear to create a balanced black suit combination
• The all black suit for men – one to wear or avoid?  
• Black suit combinations
• Black suit and tie options
• Styling options for black suit tie & pocket square combinations
• Some of our favourite black suit images

BLACK SUIT COMBINATIONS

Spoiled by too-often seen over-long trousers, ill-fitting jackets and mismatched colour combinations, the impact a sleek black suit can create has often been overlooked. Not only does it never date, the black suit styled right with the correct accessories can be mixed and matched to suit all occasions.

Black-tie dress code? Don’t make the mistake of wearing a normal black suit, instead, wear a tuxedo, with peak lapels, a marcella shirt with double-cuffs, a tonal black based silk tie and pocket square and always hide your waist, with a waistcoat or a cummerbund.

Though it may require a little more thought, a beautifully cut, perfectly tailored men’s all black suit that fits like a glove should be a staple in every refined gent’s wardrobe.

Complexion
After you have considered your fit and cut, an important thing to consider when piecing together your black suit is how it works alongside your colouring and complexion. As a rule, those with pale skin and fair hair would do well to opt for a shirt that eases the contrast between light and dark – cool grey, light blue or warmer pastel shades work nicely here. Those with darker skin tones can opt for braver colours or add bold print pops through their styling accessories.

Colour combinations

When building out your outfit, nailing the colour combination of shirts, ties or pocket squares for black suits is key; anything overly saturated, garish or bright in colour just won’t work. That’s not to say colour can’t work at all, in fact, some of the most well put-together men’s suits involve unique colour combinations or pops of complementary hues. Take note of our advice to showcase your sartorial mind:

The Black Suit and Blue Shirt
The age-old adage states that navy and black should never be worn together, but we’re here to attest that this could, in fact, be one of the sleekest tonal combinations around. A black suit, blue shirt hints at dressiness without the formality of, say, a white shirt, and this ensemble makes light work of smartening up in a contemporary way. As the image of Mr Ryan Reynolds below shows, the navy accessible accents in the combination gives a young, smart yet fashion look that appeals to the eye. Why not shop our range of Navy and blue suiting accessories here.

Alternatively, the black-suit-light-blue-shirt combination remains one not to be sniffed at. Perfect for the office, it looks entirely appropriate for meeting clients, and works for after-work drinks too. Match with a simple easy print/dot/geo colour print tie and you are good to go.

The Black Suit and Grey or Silver Shirt
A beautiful colour combination that works for any skin tone, a black suit and silver or grey shirt is a sartorial go-to. Not quite as stark a contrast as white and black, it’s smart without being harsh; a tonal tie and silver accessories will pull the look together effortlessly. We suggest our grey pinstripe merino wool tie to finish the outfit. 

The Black Suit and Pink Shirt
Softening against black, a pink shirt is surprisingly flattering and easier to pull off than you think. In the same ballpark as a light-blue Oxford button down, the look is smart but not stuffy, making it a safe bet for work or with jeans for smart-casual dress codes. Alternatively, a light or pastel-pink shirt makes a dapper alternative to white when your RSVP calls for something a little smarter.

The Black Suit and White Shirt
John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, Will Smith in Men in Black, James Bond… some of the most iconic scenes in modern film have featured a black suit and crisp white shirt – a testament to the ensemble’s enduring impact. The ultimate way to smarten up for a formal affair, this combination gives off a certain air of masculinity that can’t be achieved with any other combination; it’s suave, sharp and slick. As suggested, this combo is a classic and everlasting look so we suggest to keep the ties, square and shoes minimal, skinny and slick. A tonal jacquard floral is a nice way to add some texture without breaking up the palette.  

Looking to push this look one step further? How about opting for the tuxedo. The main difference between a tux and a classic black suit and white suit shirt is the presence of satin on the lapels and trims, and the bow tie or cummerbund/vest worn with it finishes off a true occasion wear piece. The very last word in debonair sophistication, the tux is the reserve of the elite of social engagements and we’d argue that a gent looks at his very best in a beautifully crafted tuxedo. Shop our tuxedo accessories collection on site here.

The All Black Suit and Black Shirt
Black, on black, on black. You can sometimes have too much of a good thing, and in our opinion, the black suit and black shirt (often paired with a black tie, see our choice of pleasure here) is a bridge too far. All though quite a common look, the lack of contrast in black suit black shirt means that the overall shape and cut of the jacket, shirt, waistcoat and even the tie are lost in the darkness and leaves the wearer looking flat.

Style is a personal choice, and you won’t be undertaking any fashion faux pas with this black on black suit look, but with so many amazing combinations out there, whether you lean towards subtle or flamboyant, we’d say the black suit with black shirt is one to avoid. If you do love this combination and styling choice, may we suggest to add some texture interest in the tie and pocket square to add subtle details to break up the tonal.

The Black Suit and Printed Shirt
Now here’s where things get interesting. Inject a little personality into your look with a print or motif that complements your black suit. Take your pick from geos, florals or polka dots, but to avoid a style catastrophe keep the print small and tonal, keeping the colours of the shirt and suit complementary – they should work together rather than battling for the limelight. This also gives you the option to match and play with your pocket square print. We at Rampley are known for our stunning bespoke and unbeatable print technique and options so we are sure you can find a counterpart here. Be sure to style together in a complimentary manner rather than pattern clash. Example, use the border edge of your square to match the dominate print colour of your shirt.

The Black Suit and Non-formal Shirt
A contemporary update for the gent who likes to stand out from the crowd, swapping a shirt for a high-quality cotton tee or knitwear can really highlight your standing as a man of impeccable taste and sartorial know how. Perfect for low-key occasions and winter layering, try a grey cashmere roll neck or a printed t-shirt. Just remember the golden rule: keep the neckline high and the cut form fitting. Be sure to keep an eye out for our new cashmere knitwear range landing this season on site, perfect for the layering option.

WHAT MAKES UP A BLACK TAILORED JACKET?

With any black suit, you need to ensure you know all the key details associated with a luxury tailored jacket. As part of our Details Video Series, we explore the key components that make up a tailored jacket. From the importance of the lapels, to the benefits of using natural fibres, Leah speaks with fashion consultant Chris Modoo and delves into the main elements of a tailored jacket.

A classic jacket should be well made, versatile and long-lasting. The below video covers the key elements to be aware of when choosing a new jacket. 

THE FINER DETAILS

Finally, we move onto the accessories which can make or break your look. Below we run through those small touches that will add the final touch of finesse to your black suit.

Ties
The most obvious choice is the black suit and black tie combination. Really, you can’t go wrong with it for a special occasion; effortlessly suave and polished with minimal effort, it’s a sartorial no-brainer.

For a pop of colour, the black suit, red tie look does provide a sharp finish for a more formal occasion such as a wedding and is something a little different than the classic navy suit and red tie that you’ll see in cities across the world. 

Another key option with your tie is the T word… Texture. We love a subtle pindot, stripe or fabric detail running through that catches the light in a delicate way. Our wool and basketweave ties on site are perfect for this end use. To avoid looking dated, forego shiny fabrics in favour of matt tones and subtle texture. Just make sure the tie is in proportion to the lapels and fit of your suit.  

Pocket Squares                           
The colours in your tie should be sympathetic to those on your pocket square. So either you can take a secondary colour from your tie and have that in your pocket square such as in the image below where the yellow stripes in the blue tie work well with the yellow primary colours of our Lion Hunt pocket square as shown below. For a deep dive on pocket square colour combinations, designs and folds see the following link: How to wear a pocket square.  

Your pocket square would be made from the finest fabric, have clear print definition for colour clarity and be the perfect weight to create the perfect fold. See how our pocket squares are created in this video series below.

Looking for new staple pieces for your wardrobe or updates from a previous purchase? Many of the suggestions and choices below are available from our website : Rampley & Co Shop.

Shoes
The easiest rule of them all: a black suit should always be paired with a pair of polished black shoes. For a slightly less formal look go for a pair of Derby black shoes, but for formal events go for a pair of whole cut Oxfords.