The grey suit is an essential addition to the modern man’s wardrobe. Trendy and sophisticated, grey suits give guys the opportunity to change up their look and wear a color different than the classic black and navy. The challenge is deciding what shirt to wear with your grey suit. Whether you have a light or dark grey suit, different shirt colors can affect your style. From black, blue and white to pink, purple and red, here are the best shirt colors to wear with a grey suit. Check out these shirt and tie combinations to find the perfect colors that go with your suit outfit.
Contents
What Color Shirt To Wear With A Grey Suit
After a navy suit, a grey suit is perhaps the most versatile formal attire you can own. A grey suit is a great way to build a modern look that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. The right grey suit, shirt and tie combination will look great on you at work as a business professional or at your best friend’s wedding. The grey suit can be worn with a variety of different shirts, so the only question becomes what color shirt should you wear with a grey suit?
Grey Suit and Shirt Combinations
Grey Suit / White Shirt
A grey suit with a white shirt is the most basic, timeless combination. A white dress shirt is a staple in every man’s closet and should be your go-to when donning your grey suit. Lighter greys work well with a white shirt to create a relaxed spring-time suiting aesthetic, while darker greys like gunmetal will make the look more formal. Either way, wearing a white shirt underneath your grey suit will always be a winning look.
Grey Suit / Blue Shirt
A powder blue shirt with a grey suit will maintain all the crisp style of a white shirt while offering some visual interest. Powder blues will work well with lighter greys, and together they will create a cohesive sense of brightness that is great for wearing your suit in the daytime. Blue shirts also give you more room to play with your tie and accessories. You can use different shades in your tie and pocket square to pull the entire look together. This style also works particularly well with lightly tanned leather, so be on the lookout for natural leather accents to add to this look.
Whereas light blue shirts pair well with lighter grey suits, guys should wear a navy shirt to complement dark grey suits. A darker suit paired with a dark blue or navy shirt is more formal and lends itself well to being paired with black shoes. Dark blue and navy are not limited to dark grey; these dress shirt colors can also be worn with light grey. The look tends to be more striking and less traditional, so wear it for occasions with less stringent dress codes.
Grey Suit / Black Shirt
A grey suit with a black shirt is a very popular combination. This combination works especially well with slim suits for a modern aesthetic. A mid-grey suit with a black shirt and no tie plays well for nights out on the town. The black shirt may look out of place with a very light grey suit, so take care to try them on together before wearing them out so that your outfit appears cohesive.
Grey Suit / Pink Shirt
While it sounds daunting, wearing a pink shirt with a grey suit is quite easy. Light pinks work very well with grey suits. Pull in some blue accents in the tie and pocket square for an easy modern look that borrows from traditional suiting. Add a pair of cordovan dress shoes with subtle maroon hues to pull everything together. Make sure the shade of the pink works well with your skin tone to avoid having the color make you appear pale and washed out.
Grey Suit / Purple Shirt
Like pink, a purple shirt with a grey suit sounds more intimidating than it is. Look to lavender tones for a surprisingly versatile look. Top this look off with deeper purples in the details. Solid dark purple shirts can come off too loudly, so approach these with caution when looking to accent your grey suit.
Grey Suit / Red Shirt
Red shirts can be worn with grey suits, as long as the red is not overpowering. A solid vibrant red shirt may look more at home at your high school prom that in modern formal affairs. Instead, look for more muted tones or patterned reds that will play off the grey in your suit. Try faded reds with a light grey linen suit for a tropical take. A red gingham shirt is timeless and will work fantastically under your light grey suit the next time you attend an outdoor wedding.
Grey Suit / Printed Shirt
Patterned shirts are a great way to break up solid colored shirts and add visual interest to your outfit. Don’t be afraid of patterns; they are a mainstay of men’s suiting because they work so well. Depending on the type, a patterned shirt can either make your outfit more or less formal.
For example, a classic blue and white striped shirt looks great with any grey suit. A French collared shirt, in which the collar is white while the shirt is patterned, typically looks best with more formal outfits.
Wide check prints, plaids, or floral patterns are great choices but can make your suit slightly less formal. Use this to your advantage to dress your grey suit down when needed. Try a shirt with a very fine dotted or floral print that will look solid at a distance but will surprise people up close.
What Color Tie To Wear With A Grey Suit
The color of your tie should ultimately be decided by what color shirt you are wearing, but there are a few guidelines to help you decide what color tie to wear with your grey suit. Try to echo the tones of your grey suit and shirt to tie your look together. The most popular tie colors with a grey suit include black, navy, blue, grey and red. Which color you choose for your shirt and tie combination is determined by the occasion, your personal style, and the shade of your suit.
For instance, if you have a mid-grey suit paired with a powder blue shirt, add a deep blue or navy tie. With a pink shirt and grey suit, experiment with a tie that has a red stripe in it to accentuate the pink in your shirt.
A classic look is a grey tie that matches your suit with a white shirt. Pair that with a white pocket square and you have a timeless look that comes across understated and expertly elegant. Of course, you can wear a black or navy tie with a white shirt and achieve a winning look every time. If you’re looking to make more of a statement, try a power tie in red tones.
What Shirts To Wear with a Grey Suit
- For formal attire, dress up with a black or white shirt to style a sharp, classy look.
- For a classic men’s style you can wear universally and look good, choose a white shirt with your grey suit.
- A light blue shirt works well in the summer to create a modern preppy style.
- Dark color shirts offer contrast and work to deepen the tone of your grey suit.
- Light color shirts will brighten up your suit grey suit.
- A patterned or striped shirt can transform a traditional grey suit into a bold look.
- Your tie color can enhance your style so pick the right shirt and tie combination to match your suit.
