Men's Dressing Color Guide

The commonly held theory is that men know little about color-coordinating their dress wear. Having a flair for color requires that certain tones are used when dressing for certain occasions. Skin tone can play a large part in how certain colors look on the wearer.

Casual Colors

Casual dressing is less formal, so men can be a little more free with colors. However, this does not necessarily mean that they should walk around looking like a clown. Use a minimum of three colors to add coordination to your dress. Men should ideally wear light or dark trousers without a pattern and couple that with a causal shirt of a similar color. One extra accessory, such as a sweater or cardigan, can also be in a similar or contrasting tone. For example, a good combination is navy blue trousers and a white shirt with a cream sweater.

Dressing for Success

Business clothes have a culture of their own, in that men are usually required to wear a suit and tie. In situations where a suit is expected, the shirt should be stylish and plain. White is a neutral color that adds balance to the outfit. A tie is required, and the choice of tie color can have a positive effect on the wearer as well as on the other people in the meeting.

Choosing Color Codes

Some colors just do not look right together. For instance, dark brown and black are a very drab combination. If men want to wear dark brown trousers, they should ideally wear brown shoes, not black. Patterned garments can look fairly sophisticated if they are worn with plain accessories. For example, a checked or plaid shirt will look attractive if it is worn alongside black trousers and a plain sweater or sweater vest.

References

• Color Matters: Color Theory
• Men's Fashion Tips: FAQ