A grey suit is a worthy addition to your wardrobe and deserves a place alongside your black and navy classics. The sharp and versatile color creates a clean and contemporary look that can be worn for countless occasions. The only question is: What shirt should you wear with it? Considering just how many shades of grey there are, it’s only natural that you could use a little guidance in the area.
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Grey Suit and Shirt Combinations
Grey Suit / White Shirt
A grey suit paired with a white shirt is a timeless and classic choice. It’s also one of the safest options for creating a cohesive look. When matched with a crisp, white shirt, a grey suit appears lighter, and the overall outfit registers fresh and clean. Although the combination can work with any shade of grey, light, and mid-tones, it creates a fantastic summer suiting option. The softer hues appear more seasonally appropriate than dark tones and offer a relaxed feel. To create a sharp and formal style, the look can also be paired with a black tie. The result will be a classic appearance with a subtle edge over the traditional black suit and tie with a white shirt.
Grey Suit / Blue Shirt
You can’t go past the color blue when looking for a shirt to pair with your grey suit. Blue is one of the best colors to match a grey suit and easily creates a stylish look. Like white shirts, blue shirts complement the tone of grey suits, creating a fresh and clean look. Unlike white, blue adds more interest to the overall style and will bring out any blue tones in the suit, achieving a “cool” look. Choose between shades of muted powder and baby blues to successfully don this style. The light tones are perfect for daytime and can be paired with brown leather accessories for a stylish take on summer suits.
While light blue shirts pair well with light and mid-grey suits, navy shirts work well with mid-grey, charcoal, and darker hue suits. The deeper blue tone of navy offers a more sophisticated take on the blue shirt and grey suit combination and is perfect for the cooler months. This look becomes ideal for office and formal occasions by pairing it with black oxfords. Although the outfit won’t appear as striking as a black shirt and grey suit, it will undoubtedly be suave and sharp with its moody hues; for a casual look, wear a navy shirt unbuttoned with a mid-grey suit and white sneakers.
Grey Suit / Black Shirt
A grey suit paired with a black shirt is a stylish option for formal affairs. The combination creates a sleek look and striking contrast between lighter and darker hues. This sharp outfit is an edgy alternative to a standard black suit, perfect for nights when you want to stand out. The dark shirt intensifies the grey tone to make it appear darker and a more standout look. Although the combination will make any grey suit look darker, it pairs best with moody tones and charcoal hues. However, this outfit can appear heavy on lighter skin tones.
Grey Suit / Pink Shirt
If a white shirt makes you feel bored, adding a subtle punch of color with a pink shirt makes an unbeatable alternative. The light hue will add dimension to your look and complement the cool grey tone of your suit. So, although it may not be your go-to option, the color pink is well worth the try. When paired together, the combination creates a modern and stylish appearance with a buoyant and summery feel. While the outfit looks best with a light grey suit and soft pink shirt, it can be tailored to suit your needs. For those looking washed out in this look, consider opting for a deeper shade of grey and a bolder tone of pink instead.
Grey Suit / Red Shirt
Red and grey create a powerful combination when worn together. The warm red tone plays off the cool grey hue, often appearing richer in color. The bold pairing creates an unexpectedly stylish outcome that’s both contemporary and cool. From dusty desert reds to rich oxblood hues, this outfit can be worn in numerous ways. Choose between muted tones and deep berry hues for a dapper take. However, if you want to wear a vibrant red, it’s best to break it up with some pattern to ensure the look isn’t too intense. Also, remember that deep reds and burgundies will pair best with mid to dark shades of grey, while washed-out reds suit light to mid-tones.
Grey Suit / Printed Shirt
Although a classic grey suit always looks sharp, it can sometimes feel a little boring. When you want to make a statement with your suit, opt for a printed or patterned shirt instead of your regular solid color. Simple patterns like stripes and checks are easy to wear and will create subtle interest without ever appearing over the top. Bolder prints will create a louder statement and an unforgettable outfit. Remember, the more complex a print is, the more challenging it can be to wear.
What Shirts to Wear with a Grey Suit
- A black shirt will create a sharp look when dressing for a formal occasion or evening event.
- A white shirt is the best option for a clean and classic style.
- A light blue shirt will create a light and preppy style perfect for daytime and summer looks.
- Dark shirts are best for intensifying the tone of a grey suit, while light shirts work to brighten it.
- Pair it with a salmon pink shirt to add subtle and stylish color to a grey suit.
- A patterned shirt can turn a classic grey suit into a bold statement look.
- Red shirts will create a striking contrast when paired with a grey suit.
FAQs
What color shirts go with grey suits?
Grey is a versatile color, so it pairs well with lots of shirt options. Popular shirt choices include white, pale blue, navy, black, pale pink, red, and printed.
What shirt and tie goes with a grey suit?
The neutral tone of grey lends itself well to looking good with a range of colors in your accessories, such as ties. Try a grey suit, white shirt, and dark-tone tie in red, navy, blue, or purple. If you’re wearing a pale pink shirt, try navy, purple, or burgundy. Then, for a pale blue, choose a classic such as navy, or opt for something complementary such as a bold orange. If you’ve got a striped shirt, try a tie with a micropattern, but if your printed shirt is a more intense pattern, opt for a plain tie.
What can I wear with a grey suit?
Grey suits are really versatile. Whether you choose light, medium, or dark grey, it’s hard to beat a classic white shirt. Other universally appealing options include pale blue, pastel pink, and printed patterns. When it comes to shoes, it will depend on how dark the grey is and whether it’s warm or cool-toned. Light grey suits are less formal, so you can wear black, brown, or tan shoes. Meanwhile, medium grey works with brown and black, while charcoal is best suited only to black shoes.
Are grey suits in style?
Grey suits are a classic option that never goes out of style. They’re an excellent alternative to more conservative black and navy options without being outlandish.
What color belt do you wear with a grey suit?
The best color belt to wear with a grey suit will match (or get as close as possible) your shoes.
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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