Pastel Colored Dress Shirts

Men's Style Conundrums: Pastel Shirts

For the longest time, men everywhere have always tried to distance their fashions from anything that could be considered even remotely feminine. Neckties have been widened, colors have been darkened and jacket shoulders made more defined. The pastel shirt is among those items that have been deemed to be on the women’s side of the divide. In the last few years, though, that balance – and the position of the pastel shirt – has shifted.

A Pastel Approach
It’s true in most cases that pastel’s softness and lightness can come off as feminine. This is, however, never necessarily a bad thing. In fact, this might just be what your outfit will need to underline your more dapper, fashion-forward side.

Why use pastel colors on your shirts? First, it can be just as good as white if you’re a believer in the combination of a white shirt and a necktie for work. It’s light enough to be easily paired, but colorful enough to make the outfit a little more interesting. Secondly, the color sets the stage for you to do a bit of coordination. It presents the perfect chance for you to show off your skills with matching colored ties to colored shirts.

Business formal can be a very bland affair, what with everyone wearing navy, black or white. Pastel colors give you a subtle way to inject a bit of individual style into your look without losing out on the professionalism and sharpness.

Color Control
The softness of the color of your shirt should be no reason for your outfit as a whole to lack strength. Shirts, after all, only provide the canvas for the artwork that is your suit, your necktie or your accessories.

Pastels should ideally be as light as you can find. The principle behind this is that the closer the shade is to a white, the more applicable the old rules for color matching with white are. Pink, blue, green and yellow are all good options, so long as you know to choose light colors that border on imperceptible. You want just that hint of a shade.

Should you decide to go pastel, look for a bold colored necktie to bring balance to your look. A better idea is to get a tie from the same color family – or even the same color, if available – to add some cohesion to the colors. Alternatively, complementary colors (you can refer to a color wheel for this one) should work equally well. If all else fails, there’s always ever-reliable solid black to save the day.

After you’ve paired the light shirt with a deep, dark tie, it’s time to wear it with a jacket that’s strong and masculine. Sharp tailoring is recommended for business attire, and here it’s required for any style that involves pastel colors. You’ll want to maintain a look that is composed and gentlemanly, hence the emphasis on the tailoring of your suit.

Perfecting Pastel Style
Balance is the key idea when you’re wearing any pastel color in any outfit, whether it’s a wedding get-up or an office ensemble. In this case, you’ll have to use strong, masculine accessories to keep the lightness and femininity of the shirt from going over the top. There’s no harm in a feminine touch as long as you keep all the elements in check.

Instead of the usual shiny accessories in gold and silver, opt for matte finishes that don’t compete with the color for visual attention. Black matte pieces will work even better, as they provide contrast to the lightness of your shirt and will draw the eye toward the color. Keep this in mind when you’re picking out the accessories to go with your outfit, whether it’s a discreet tie bar or a classic leather strap watch.

Other colored accessories like hankies and pocket squares are best when they’re coordinated with the shirt and/or the tie. Since color is taking center stage in this kind of outfit, maintaining cohesion is crucial for the style. A pastel color is usually a good touch in men’s fashion as long as you strike a balance and keep the whole outfit together.

You May Also Want to Read:
Dress Shirt Cuff Styles
Pastel Colored Ties for Spring 2010

Your Ties-Necktie.com Team