How to match shoes, shirt and accessories with a suit

With a navy suit, black shoes feel formal while cognac adds warmth. Grey pairs with black, burgundy or dark brown. Beige works naturally with cognac, tobacco and brown.

Use one dominant colour, one supporting colour and, if needed, a small accent. More colours can make the outfit difficult to read.

White is the safest formal shirt. Pale blue softens a dark suit, while ivory and cream can support warmer outfits when there is enough contrast with the jacket and complexion.

The collar should sit cleanly below the lapels and work with the tie or bow tie. Correct collar size matters more than an unusual pattern.

Match the belt approximately to the shoes. A pocket square does not need to copy the tie exactly; repeating a secondary tone is more natural.

For a tuxedo, choose polished black shoes, a white shirt and a bow tie that works with the lapels. Precision is more elegant than accumulation.