# Menswear: Dark dress shirts with dark suits - is it ever OK? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855 "2010-04-12T17:22:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/1 "2010-04-12T17:22:08Z")
I say dark dress shirt with a dark suit is a great look, but one that is often done poorly. Some of the guys at work agree. Other guys here in the office say that dark-on-dark NEVER works. We don’t yet have any input from our female coworkers. Given that, I am interested in what the SDMB says, and whether or not there is any kind of true orthodoxy (per the wide world of Fashion) on this matter. [Here are](http://www.vanmeer.co.nz/image/school/pop_up/1806.jpg) [some examples](http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/2/optimized/374752_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=327&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg) [that I dug up quickly](http://gallery.nofactzone.net/albums/userpics/normal_Black_Suit.png). For those wanting clarification on just what colors dark-on-dark entails … just define it as whatever comes to mind. For me, that’s a black suit with, say, a purple dress shirt … or black suit with electric blue shirt … black suit with red. That’s the first combos that come to mind. Perhaps an easier way to frame the question is “_is it okay to wear non-white/non-pastel dress shirts with a navy/black/charcoal suit_”? And as for the thought “_depends on the tie_” … assume for the purposes of voting that the tie is “perfect” as you would define it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/2 "2010-04-12T17:28:01Z")
I’ve no idea what “Fashion” would say about it - but I’ve seen folks in dark suits with green or red shirts, and thought that looked neat. In fact, I keep making a mental note to pick up such a shirt myself. I’m sure it could look bad, though - anything can, really. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/3 "2010-04-12T17:38:35Z")
I would say that certain people could probably pull this off, although it might suggest that you’re on your way to a funeral. What I don’t like about those examples is the tie matches the shirt. In the first case it even appears to be made of the same shiny material. The tie should provide some contrast, and if the shirt is dark, the only way to do that would be with a light colored tie. Then you’re getting dangerously close to the 70’s white tie/belt/shoes phenomena. The second pic accomplishes the desired contrast, but the overall look is still too dark for my taste. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/4 "2010-04-12T17:43:44Z")
Some guys can do it, and some can’t. For me it would be a ridiculous look. Actually, dark on dark can work for me, but there has to be a good deal of contrast in hue. Dark blue on a slightly different hue of dark blue is a crime against humanity. Dark blue and dark red could work great. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/5 "2010-04-12T18:35:03Z")
I don’t personally think I could pull it off well, but I have seen some who do. Doesn’t really work in my industry, though. It’s too conservative, as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/6 "2010-04-12T18:40:21Z")
Is anyone in your office Johnny Cash? This is important for my answer. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/7 "2010-04-12T18:50:37Z")
Are you talking about going to the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, or professional business attire? If the latter, this look is a “no go”. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/8 "2010-04-12T18:55:55Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Is anyone in your office Johnny Cash? This is important for my answer. 😃 Nope, no one here. Our office is business casual … no one here is in a suit. The discussion is purely academic. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/9 "2010-04-12T18:59:10Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Is anyone in your office Johnny Cash? This is important for my answer. Or [Tony Soprano.](http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/14/1483/IWJQ000Z/the-sopranos.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Lao\_Tsu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lao\_Tsu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lao_Tsu)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/10 "2010-04-12T19:27:45Z")
IMO, your suit must always be darker than your shirt. If you can pull this off with two darks, it may work. However, the other absolute rule is, your tie must always be darker than your suit. Not wearing a tie is always an option. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/11 "2010-04-12T19:33:09Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > For those wanting clarification on just what colors dark-on-dark entails … just define it as whatever comes to mind. For me, that’s a black suit with, say, a purple dress shirt … or black suit with electric blue shirt … black suit with red. That’s the first combos that come to mind. All ew. All not very good business wear. Especially that whole black suit junk. 😉 > [@](#): > > Perhaps an easier way to frame the question is “_is it okay to wear non-white/non-pastel dress shirts with a navy/black/charcoal suit_”? Yes. You can wear a dark blue (french blue) shirt with a charcoal suit, but depending on the specific colors it may look a bit too severe. Regardless, stay away from the black, yeah? ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/12 "2010-04-12T19:34:10Z")
> [@Lao\_Tsu](#): > > However, the other absolute rule is, your tie must always be darker than your suit you may want to double check that one. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/13 "2010-04-12T19:36:06Z")
> [@Lao\_Tsu](#): > > However, the other absolute rule is, your tie must always be darker than your suit shirt. 😕 _(I assumed you meant “shirt” above)_ What about the [“French-blue-shirt + yellow-tie” look](http://www.dan-roach.com/photogallery/DR%20Floor%20Yellow%20Tie.JPG) that so many men combine with dark suits these days? ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/14 "2010-04-12T19:36:43Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > What about the [“French-blue-shirt + yellow-tie” look](http://www.dan-roach.com/photogallery/DR%20Floor%20Yellow%20Tie.JPG) that so many men combine with dark suits these days? shit. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/15 "2010-04-12T19:38:24Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > Are you talking about going to the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, or professional business attire? It’s understood that professional business attire will trend heavily toward the conservative. Thinking more about suit-&-tie attire that would be appropriate for a wedding guest, or for wearing during a swank night on the town. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/16 "2010-04-12T19:39:48Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > It’s understood that professional business attire will trend heavily toward the conservative. Thinking more about suit-&-tie attire that would be appropriate for a wedding guest, or for wearing during a swank night on the town. if you go to a wedding dressed like that people will wonder if you’re the family’s mortician. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/17 "2010-04-12T19:40:44Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Or [Tony Soprano.](http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/14/1483/IWJQ000Z/the-sopranos.jpg) [Or The Merovingian from The Matrix movies.](http://hunternuttall.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/merovingian-deductive-reasoning.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/18 "2010-04-12T19:41:32Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Or [Tony Soprano.](http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/14/1483/IWJQ000Z/the-sopranos.jpg) “Gangster” was the first thing that popped into my mind, too. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/19 "2010-04-12T19:42:47Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > shit. :shrug: Big fan of that look. You see a lot of guys wear the same color combo with [a pink/magenta/fuchsia tie](http://www.fourinhand.com/ProductImages/FTWU/GreatGrey1.jpg), too. John McCain, for one, sports both looks quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855/20 "2010-04-12T19:44:25Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > :shrug: > > Big fan of that look. You see a lot of guys wear the same color combo with [a pink/magenta/fuchsia tie](http://www.fourinhand.com/ProductImages/FTWU/GreatGrey1.jpg), too. John McCain, for one, sports both looks quite a bit. That’s a charcoal pinstripe with a light (ok, ok, not light. medium) blue shirt. Big difference from a plain navy suit and a dark blue shirt. One works, the other, not so much. as to the blue shirt, yellow tie writ large: yes, of course it works, but that’s farking boring - a plain yellow tie and a plain blue shirt. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menswear-dark-dress-shirts-with-dark-suits-is-it-ever-ok/535855.md?page=2)