Men’s Fashion and Color Coordination

A common comment for men 50 and over, if not said somewhat off-handedly by a partner, “That doesn’t match.” Or, “You can’t wear that together.” And you look down only to think, “Really? I thought this looked good.” Sometimes (maybe most of the time) color coordination is confusing and strays from what you would consider to be intuitive. Luckily, there are a few simple rules that you can learn that will make your life much easier. Here’s everything you need to know about Men’s Fashion and Color Coordination.

Start out by understanding colors

Have you ever seen this picture? Kind of comical but also makes you wonder what you might be missing. Never fear. Understanding colors is the first step to coordinating, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Go back to the basics if you’re having trouble matching (or even if you just want to improve your style). Look at a color wheel like, just like the kind that you used in elementary school art class. You’ll see the primary colors (blue, yellow, and red) and then the secondary colors (orange, purple, and green).

You might remember that primary colors have complements directly across from them on the color wheel. Red has green. Blue has orange. Yellow has purple. These colors complement each other well and provide inviting pops if you’re going for a bright look.

That said, if you’re looking for something more subdued, you can also focus on associated colors which sit next to one another on the color wheel. You may gravitate towards one side or another. Find that you own a lot of baby blues, navies, and greens? You might have the perfect mix for this type of look. The color of your clothes is unique to you, and you should ultimately select colors you feel comfortable in.

Consider complementary color matching

Now that we’ve talked about the science of color and fashion, think about how you’ll integrate it into your life. When people think about men’s fashion and color coordination, they often think that colors have to be all the same, but it’s not true. Matching is better than not matching but allowing your clothes to complement each other will take your fashion to the next level.

Color guides the eye, so while it may be tempting to match all your navy-blue items together and call it an outfit, the slight difference in color may indicate that it doesn’t really match that well overall to the rest of the world. If you have a bold item, be sure to wear it with something that neutralizes it from across the color wheel.

The best shirt and pants combinations

You have a basic understanding of colors and it’s time to put them to use. How do you know what the best shirt and pants combinations are? There are formulas that exist that you can replicate for fashion success.

1. Contrast: Go for light shirts and dark trousers. Anything white, sky blue, pastel (pinks, yellows, purples) or beige can be worn with a dark trouser. Think navy blue, black, brown, camel. You can also flip it and go dark shirt with light tones. Wear dark blue, purple, red or black with gray, khaki, beige, etc. With this combination, it’s truly hard to go wrong!
2. Patterns: Patterns can be a great way to spice up your wardrobe if done correctly. Wearing a checked, striped or another patterned shirt with solid trousers will give you a little bit a flair. You can also wear checked or striped trousers with a plain shirt. The key? Don’t do both. Keep one piece in the combination plain so that it doesn’t distract the eye.
3. Fabric: Choose the right fabric for the right look. Not all fabrics are created equally. For example, cotton and linen are most popular for men’s shirts. Make sure you go for linen’s when purchasing a plain shirt as different fabrics reflect colors uniquely.

Can’t be bothered to think about color coordinating every single day? You’re not the only one! If you’re not naturally inclined to fashion, it might feel difficult to set aside time each day to select a color coordinating outside. Fortunately, there are some universal colors that will have your closet ready to go. Purchase black, navy, gray, cream, and khaki to round out your wardrobe and have pants that go with just about any shirt that you might own.

The best shoes and belt combinations

You’re probably not new to the idea that your shoes and belt should match, but it can seem like quite the dilemma if you have only 2-3 belts and upwards of 5 pairs? 10 pairs of shoes? Whatever your shoe shelf looks like, no judgment! But it’s probably safe to say that you don’t have a belt for every pair of shoes, so you have to get creative when it comes to matching your belt and shoes. Here’s the SparkNotes version of how to match.

1. Your leathers should always match. Never pair black shoes with a brown belt. Having at least brown and black belts are necessary, and even if you’re looking at wearing a light brown belt and dark brown boots, it’s a better alternative than brown and black. If it’s convenient, match your watch strap to your shoes and belt as well.
2. Your metals should always match. If you’re a big watch guy, then maybe you’re already on it about making sure that you wear gold when you have your gold watch on or silver when you have your silver watch on. You want to make sure that the metal buckle on your belt matches the watch that you’re wearing as well as whatever other jewelry (except your wedding ring) that you happen to be wearing.

Final thoughts on Men’s Fashion and Color Coordination

While matching isn’t always easy, there are plenty of hacks that can help you color coordinate in no time at all. Start by understanding colors, know how to stock your closet for maximum ease, and accessorize like a pro. You’ll be good to go in no time!

Are there any topics on men’s fashion and color coordination that we left out and you want covered? Please leave a comment below or contact Glen directly on our Contact page! Need something we suggested in this blog? Feel free to check and order from our Amazon Affiliates links, we appreciate your support! Stay sharp ~ Glen