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Matching a tie with a shirt can be easy or challenging, depending on your knowledge of matching colors. For example, what color tie goes with a gray shirt? That’s what you need to know right now.
Gray is a neutral shade which makes it easier to match with other colors. It may not be the most popular choice for shirts, but a gray shirt makes you look smart and stylish for any casual occasion.
Gray is that color that some think is a must for casual outfits, and others defend you can use it in a professional environment. But, of course, it all depends on the color of the tie you match with the gray shirt. So this is why you need to know what color tie goes with a gray shirt next time you wear one. Let’s find out.
What Color Tie Goes With A Gray Shirt?
The ties that go great with a gray shirt are black, gray, silver, purple, burgundy, and blue.
Some shades of gray work better with some tones than others, and gray shirts are no different when picking the correct color tie. Likewise, light gray shirts work better with some color ties, and dark gray shirts work well with others. So, just because a shirt is gray doesn’t mean that the same neckties will work well with any shade of gray.
Now, let’s check each color tie individually, so you can better decide when pairing it with your gray shirt.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Black Tie
Matching a gray shirt with a black tie is an excellent choice for a casual business meeting since gray represents neutrality and balance, and black formality and seriousness.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Black Shirt?
I find wearing a gray shirt with a black tie a beautiful look, especially if you wear a black or gray suit. Choosing a light gray or a dark charcoal gray shirt doesn’t matter. A black tie will look good with both options and make your outfit more professional. Opt for the light gray shirt with a black tie if you want a bolder look.
Wearing a gray shirt with a black tie is perfect for a casual business meeting or a more professional event. Wear a gray shirt, black tie, black or gray suit, and black shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Gray Tie
On some occasions, I am a big fan of a monochromatic look, which means you can mix different shades of the same colors. For example, you can match distinct shades of grey between your shirt and tie.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Dark Blue Shirt?
Choosing the right shade of gray for your tie is essential since you want people to notice the contrast between the color of your necktie and shirt. If you wear a light shade of gray in your dress shirt, opt for a darker gray-tone tie like charcoal. If you pick a dark gray shirt, go for a light gray necktie. You can also mix different shades of gray and patterns in the necktie, which makes a better contrast.
You can wear a gray shirt and tie for casual meetings or a night out with friends. Wear a gray shirt, gray tie, black or gray suit, and black shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Silver Tie
If you like a gray shirt with a gray tie, you will love it even more with a silver tie. After all, silver color conveys elegance, modernity, glamour, and prosperity.
Wearing a gray shirt with a silver necktie also gives that monochromatic look that some people love. Silver offers that metallic reflectivity that makes your tie noticed wherever you go since it’s not the most usual color, but it’s definitely one that looks good with a gray shirt.
I would wear a gray shirt with a silver necktie for any parties or celebration events that don’t require a formal dress code. Wear a gray shirt, silver tie, black or gray suit, and black shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Purple Tie
Are you looking for a more colorful style? Why not try and match a gray shirt with a purple tie? Purple is associated with fortune, luxury and confidence.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Purple Shirt?
It may not be the most obvious necktie color choice for any guy, but a light gray shirt with a dark purple necktie looks elegant and gives you a bold look. However, if you are wearing a dark gray shirt, you want to opt out for a light purple tie, like lavender or lilac shades. Remember that you want to create a contrast between your gray shirt and your necktie.
Wear a gray shirt and a purple tie at any event where you want to look elegant, rich, and confident. Wear a gray shirt, purple tie, black or gray suit, and burgundy or black shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Burgundy Tie
Another color I absolutely love with a gray shirt is burgundy. A burgundy tie embodies strength, wealth, authority, and passion. In some cultures symbolizes good luck.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Burgundy Shirt?
Since gray is a neutral color, it will look good with any shade of red (even a vivid red if you wear a charcoal shirt). I prefer a subtle look when matching a gray shirt with a red necktie, which is why I like burgundy or deeper red. I also enjoy wearing a necktie with shades of gray and burgundy, making the outfit even more nuanced if the occasion asks for something more modest
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Red Shirt?
Wear a gray shirt with a burgundy tie if you want a subtle look that looks good but also shows your dominance and authority. Wear a gray shirt, burgundy tie, black or gray suit, and burgundy or black shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Blue Tie
Gray and blue are two colors that go well together no matter what shade you choose. Gray and blue together represent balance, loyalty and neutrality, and responsibility.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Blue Shirt?
Personally, I prefer a navy tie, no matter what shade of gray your shirt is. However, you can also wear light blue if you wear a light or a darker gray shirt. I would wear a royal blue necktie if you wear a charcoal gray dress shirt. You can see that you have many options to mix and match when it comes to gray and blue since there is enough contrast between both colors. If you prefer that monochromatic look, opt for a patterned tie with shades of blue and gray.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Light Blue Shirt?
You can wear a gray dress shirt with a blue tie for weddings, a day in the office, or a casual day out with the family. Wear a gray shirt, navy tie, navy or gray suit, and brown shoes.
What Color Ties Are Acceptable To Wear With A Gray Shirt?
Now, I want to share with you some color ties that are still acceptable to wear with a gray shirt but that you have better options when choosing between them or other/similar colors. These color ties are gold, green, brown, and pink.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Gold Tie
Pairing a gray shirt with a gold tie may not be your first choice, but it looks good when done correctly. The gold color means success, achievement, power, and fortune.
It wouldn’t be my first color pick for a tie with a gray shirt, but it can be a great match if you have the right shade of gray in your shirt. A darker gray shirt like charcoal with a gold necktie can look sharp and classy. I wouldn’t personally match a lighter gray shirt with a gold necktie because I’m not too fond of the contrast between them.
I would wear a darker gray shirt with a gold necktie at fun events or celebrations. Wear a dark gray shirt, gold tie, black or gray suit, and black shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Green Tie
Wearing a gray shirt with a green tie is acceptable, depending on the shade of green you pick. The color green represents luck, prosperity, money, and vitality.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Green Shirt?
If you want to wear a green tie with a gray shirt, opt for a darker shade of green, like forest green, dark olive, or emerald. You can wear a dark green necktie, no matter the shade of gray you wear in your shirt. However, a lighter green necktie doesn’t look particularly good with a gray shirt, even if you wear a charcoal shirt (I believe this is more of a personal preference, and for some people, it works).
You can match a gray shirt with a dark green necktie for casual events or days out. Wear a gray shirt, green tie, navy or gray suit, and brown shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Brown Tie
You can also pair a gray shirt with a brown tie if you like the idea. The color brown means resilience, safety, and dependability.
You can pair a gray shirt with a brown necktie if you want a masculine and refined look, but I personally prefer the burgundy color if you want something similar to brown. If you opt for a brown necktie, pick a light gray shirt for better contrast.
Pair a gray shirt with a brown tie on weddings or any casual events. Wear a gray shirt, brown tie, gray suit, and brown shoes.
Wear A Gray Shirt With A Pink Tie
Even if I prefer a pink shirt with a gray necktie, you can also do the inverse and pair a gray shirt with a pink tie. Pink is a nurturing, playful, and nostalgic color.
Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Pink Shirt?
You can wear a light tone of pink with any shades of gray, so it doesn’t matter what gray your shirt is. However, I don’t particularly like hot pink or a darker tone of pink with any shades of gray because it doesn’t look as good as a lighter pink necktie.
You can wear a gray shirt with a pink necktie at weddings or other casual events. Wear a gray shirt, pink tie, black or gray suit, and black shoes.
What Color Ties Don’t Go With A Gray Shirt?
Since gray is a neutral shade, it’s easy to match it with almost every color you can pick. However, I wouldn’t match a gray shirt with an orange or yellow necktie.
Don’t Wear A Gray Shirt With A Yellow Tie
Matching a gray shirt with a yellow necktie is a huge mistake since you can pick a gold one instead.
Wearing a yellow necktie is difficult with most color shirts or outfits since it’s not a usual color. When it comes to pairing a gray shirt with a yellow tie, it just doesn’t work because it looks awful.
Don’t Wear A Gray Shirt With An Orange Tie
Just try to put an orange necktie close to your gray shirt, and you will see a fashion mistake happening.
It doesn’t look good at all. However, if you want a more explicit necktie, you can opt for a vivid red instead of an orange one. Or wear a blue shirt instead of a gray one.
Tips On How To Match Ties With Gray Shirts
When choosing the right color tie to match your gray shirts, you should follow at least three rules. You need to consider the dress code and occasion, wear a tie with contrasting colors and patterns, and match the rest of your outfit.
Consider The Dress Code And Occasion
When choosing the best color tie to wear with your gray shirt, you must consider the dress code and the occasion. Is it formal or informal? Is it with friends or clients? Is it a celebration or a time when you need to be respectful?
It’s important to consider all the questions overhead to ensure you don’t make any fashion mistakes and look your best. Usually, the invitation tells you if the dress code for the occasion is formal or casual, but if it doesn’t, you can always ask the person, a colleague, or a friend how they will dress that day or night.
You want to avoid wearing an orange tie with a gray shirt in a professional environment or a black tie with a gray shirt in a casual event. Again, it would be best to consider the occasion and respect the dress code.
Match The Rest Of Your Outfits
Not only should you know the color wheel, but you should always think about the entire outfit. Just remember a fundamental fashion rule. You match the tie with your costume and not the opposite. So don’t dress based on the necktie you want to wear because that will make your choices much more difficult.
Conclusion
So what color tie goes with a gray shirt? Black, Gray, silver, blue, burgundy, and purple. Tie colors like gold, pink, brown, and green are also acceptable when pairing them with a gray shirt.
No matter what you wear, you should feel comfortable and wear whatever makes you happy. But, on the other hand, if you want to stick with the men’s fashion code, you need to follow this guide I elaborated on.
