A blue suit is a classic menswear item that has long been a staple in every gent’s wardrobe. Its timeless appeal and neutral color make it an enduring style that can be worn repeatedly. Not only is it suitable for the office, but a blue suit can work for any occasion. Whether you’re off to a business meeting, wedding, or cocktail function, a blue suit can make a smart choice if you pair it with the right shirt. While opting for a suit means that your pants and jacket are already coordinated, it’s up to you to pick the perfect shirt. That means selecting a color that’ll create your ideal look and compliment instead of clash.
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What Shirts to Wear With a Blue Suit
The beauty of a blue suit is that it’s versatile. Not only can you wear it for countless occasions, but you can also match it with a broad range of shirts. Of course, certain styles will always look better than others. In particular, five key shirts are a cut above the rest. Be sure to keep them on hand in your wardrobe to ensure your blue suit always looks stylish.
Blue Suit / White Shirt
If you’re unsure what shirt to wear with your blue suit, white is a failsafe option. The combination is so simple that anyone can pull it off. The clean and crisp shade of white is classic and looks seriously stylish when paired with cool blue tones. The partnership is perfect for formal occasions, particularly if the suit is navy and classic accessories are added. Don’t be afraid to wear a bold tie, either. A pop of color against a neutral white shirt and blue suit will create a sharp edge. For gents off to a more casual setting, try a lighter blue suit with your white shirt and wear it sans tie with sneakers.
Blue Suit / Pale Blue Shirt
The combination of a blue suit with a pale blue shirt works surprisingly well and should be added to your list of regular outfits. A great alternative to a traditional white shirt, a light blue style carries the same classic feel while appearing softer when paired with more blue. While the contrast is less stark than a white shirt, a few shades of distinction between your suit and shirt are needed to create a clean look. As a light blue suit with a pale blue shirt can easily clash, be sure only to pair this shirt with navy or mid-blue suits.
Blue Suit / Pink Shirt
Gents are increasingly embracing pink shirts, and the results are sophisticated and stylish. While pink shirts look great with grey suits, they also produce a seriously sharp appearance when paired with blue. The color combination, which offers a nice contrast, is ideal for creating a modern look. While the partnership can be worn on countless occasions, it works particularly well when you want to look smart and fashionable but not traditionally formal. To ensure you pull off this look, stick to lighter shades of pink and pastel hues. These tones will match any shade of blue without the risk of color clashing.
Blue Suit / Grey Shirt
If you’re after an effortlessly smart look for your blue suit, how about trying it with a grey shirt? The combination, which is decidedly more contemporary than a white shirt, breaks from tradition while remaining stylish and sophisticated. The cool tone of grey creates a soft contrast with blue hues, achieving an elegant yet understated vibe. To make the most of this dapper pair, choose accessories in similar tones to the muted hues. Doing so will create a sleek and suave style without any harsh color clashes. If you want to wear bold accessories, such as a vibrant tie, opting for a plain white shirt instead of grey is best.
Blue Suit / Printed Shirt
While blue suits make a great classic option, their traditional tone can sometimes appear underwhelming. If you feel like you want to make a bigger statement with your blue suit, try pairing it with a printed shirt. A printed shirt can be just the feature your outfit needs to give it a fashionable twist. Choose stripes, checks, gingham, polka dots, paisley, and more to find the perfect print. Be careful about your chosen colors, as they may clash with your suit. A simple way to ensure your shirt will match is to choose one with a white base color and a softly toned print.
Shirts Outfit Tips for Blue Suits
- A white shirt is a failsafe option to pair with a blue suit and always creates a classic look.
- A pale blue shirt makes a surprisingly good pair to a blue suit and creates a neat contrast.
- For a contemporary and semi-formal style wear your blue suit with a pink shirt.
- Pairing your blue suit with a grey shirt will create a muted contrast with understated elegance.
- To make your shirt the feature of your outfit, opt for patterns, such as stripes or gingham.
- Ensure the shirt you choose suits the shade of blue of your suit.
FAQs
Can you wear a blue shirt with a blue suit?
You can wear a blue shirt with a blue suit; however, you do want an element of contrast between the two shades. As such, if you’re wearing a darker blue suit, opt for a pale blue shirt or one with a blue pattern in a lighter shade. If you’re wearing a light blue suit, it’s better to avoid blue shirts and instead opt for a contrasting color such as white or pale pink.
What color shirts go with a blue suit?
Blue suits, particularly in darker shades, look excellent with most colors. As such, your date can wear nearly any shade of dress. Cool colors such as blues and greens tie in nicely, or if she’s feeling bold, a bright contrasting color such as red, orange, or yellow will look striking. If you’re unsure, stick to the same rules as shirt pairings and opt for white, pale blue, soft pink, grey, or a pattern.

Taylah Brewer holds a bachelor's degree in fashion and business and is a skilled writer with several years of experience in the world of online content creation and copywriting. She is passionate about fashion, beauty, and all things lifestyle-related and has been writing for The Trend Spotter since 2016. She currently works as the Head of Digital & Ecommerce at White & Co.
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