# Plaid Shirt and Striped Tie, Etc. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 30, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371 "2014-04-30T16:11:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/1 "2014-04-30T16:11:31Z")
On ESPN and other networks I’m seeing more guys wearing plaid shirt and striped ties, or visa-versa, or with various other mismatched patterns and colors. Is that a common and current style? I just know when I see it I think the show’s stylist must have chosen that combination, or basically “your Momma must have picked that out for you.” I’m not really around a lot of people who suit up, but is this common? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_North](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@Richard\_North](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_North)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/2 "2014-04-30T16:16:06Z")
That is wrong. Just wrong! You’re not supposed to wear “patterned” shirts and ties together. The shirt is supposed to be solid with a patterned tie. Or, the shirt can be patterned with a solid tie. A solid tie and solid shirt? Okay. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/3 "2014-04-30T16:29:56Z")
It’s like the passive voice or ending a sentence with a preposition: it’s a “rule” for people who don’t know anything other than the rules for people who don’t know anything else. It’s totally fine unless you fuck it up. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/4 "2014-04-30T16:30:55Z")
> [@Richard\_North](#): > > That is wrong. Just wrong! > > You’re not supposed to wear “patterned” shirts and ties together. The shirt is supposed to be solid with a patterned tie. Or, the shirt can be patterned with a solid tie. A solid tie and solid shirt? Okay. That’s how my Momma raised me! ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/5 "2014-04-30T16:31:55Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > It’s like the passive voice or ending a sentence with a preposition: it’s a “rule” for people who don’t know anything other than the rules for people who don’t know anything else. It’s totally fine unless you fuck it up. So, you’ve worn a plaid shirt and striped tie together? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/6 "2014-04-30T16:31:57Z")
Sounds like they’ve fired the person responsible for making sure everybody is dressed properly, and left it to the sportscasters. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/7 "2014-04-30T16:33:59Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Sounds like they’ve fired the person responsible for making sure everybody is dressed properly, and left it to the sportscasters. Yeah, but you see that in men’s fashion ads too. I think it’s a fashionista thing. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/8 "2014-04-30T16:35:30Z")
Gotcha. Well, in that case the world has gone mad. MAD, I tell you! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/9 "2014-04-30T16:58:12Z")
Sports scores, gossip too And I don’t know where I am goin’ to. Plaid shirt, striped tie I don’t need a reason why. They come runnin’ just as fast as they can Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/10 "2014-04-30T17:11:33Z")
The Duke of Windsor is credited as the fashion trend-setter who first flouted the convention of matching tie and handkerchief. He was also a craven, Nazi-loving asshole. I use this bit of trivia to remind myself that if I want to make a statement, it’s better albeit more of a challenge to do so with my conversation, not my wardrobe. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/11 "2014-04-30T17:11:54Z")
[Pattern mixing](http://blog.designerstudiostore.com/designers/spring-style-tips-mixing-patterns/) in general is a huge trend in women’s fashion right now, and apparently in men’s fashion as well. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/12 "2014-04-30T17:19:59Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > So, you’ve worn a plaid shirt and striped tie together? I don’t really do plaid dress shirts because if I’m in a suit I’m probably in court, but striped on checked or plaid on stripes, yes. I promise, it’s perfectly normal looking if you don’t do it at random. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/13 "2014-04-30T18:09:47Z")
I’m having a hard time imagining a plaid shirt that would be worn with _any_ tie. A vertical-striped shirt, fine, but plaid? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/14 "2014-04-30T18:16:58Z")
Maybe not the[plaid and stripe combo](http://www.esquire.com/the-side/style-guides/shirt-and-tie-combo-tips-2011#/category5) you had in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/15 "2014-04-30T18:23:47Z")
I’ll do windowpane or checked shirts with striped ties, but plaids is a bit much for me. The general rule is like patterns of different sizes or different patterns of like sizes. So, if you wear a striped tie on a striped shirt you would do broad stripes over pin stripes, but if you wore a patterned tie over a stiped shirt, you would probably do tight or broad patterns on both. Same goes for shirt and suit mixing of patterns. Going patterned on all 3 is pretty tricky to pull off, you’re best bet is to go with a solid shirt and you can do pretty much wahtever with the suit and tie at that point. But the simplest approach is to read some fashion stuff every now and then, listen to your tailor and/or a salesperson you trust, put some combos together that you like, and feel good about what you have on. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_North](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@Richard\_North](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_North)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/16 "2014-04-30T18:32:41Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m having a hard time imagining a plaid shirt that would be worn with _any_ tie. A vertical-striped shirt, fine, but plaid? It can be done, you just need a really good sense of style to pull it off. Whoever designs the mannequins at Express for Men, knows how to mix plaid shirts and ties well. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/17 "2014-04-30T19:50:24Z")
Like these: [http://www.ballnroll.com/Uploads/Blogs/ExclusiveAccess/images/Amar8.jpg](http://www.ballnroll.com/Uploads/Blogs/ExclusiveAccess/images/Amar8.jpg) [http://blog.debate.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Merril-Hoge-2.jpg](http://blog.debate.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Merril-Hoge-2.jpg) [http://masterplangroup.typepad.com/not\_joshin\_around/images/2008/05/14/keyshawn\_2.jpg](http://masterplangroup.typepad.com/not_joshin_around/images/2008/05/14/keyshawn_2.jpg) [http://www.djones.com/weardjones/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/stripe-pattern-tie.jpg](http://www.djones.com/weardjones/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/stripe-pattern-tie.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/18 "2014-04-30T19:54:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m having a hard time imagining a plaid shirt that would be worn with _any_ tie. A vertical-striped shirt, fine, but plaid? Just search GQ’s site for plaid shirts. They’ve been featuring them going back several years. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/19 "2014-04-30T19:55:41Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Like these: I wouldn’t wear any of those combos. But, I’m pretty boring. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371/20 "2014-04-30T20:46:48Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Like these: > > [http://www.ballnroll.com/Uploads/Blogs/ExclusiveAccess/images/Amar8.jpg](http://www.ballnroll.com/Uploads/Blogs/ExclusiveAccess/images/Amar8.jpg) > > [http://blog.debate.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Merril-Hoge-2.jpg](http://blog.debate.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Merril-Hoge-2.jpg) > > [http://masterplangroup.typepad.com/not\_joshin\_around/images/2008/05/14/keyshawn\_2.jpg](http://masterplangroup.typepad.com/not_joshin_around/images/2008/05/14/keyshawn_2.jpg) > > [http://www.djones.com/weardjones/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/stripe-pattern-tie.jpg](http://www.djones.com/weardjones/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/stripe-pattern-tie.jpg) I don’t like _any_ of those combinations, and I’m a big fan of pattern-on-pattern. Sportscasters are actually in a good position to reflect lots of current fashion. They can be a little more “out-there” than politicians, while still having to be conservative enough not to freak out people who get shocked easily. For example, someone who always dresses extremely well, and has a real eye for (or a really good stylist for) patterns is [Harold Reynolds](http://nortonditto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/HaroldReynoldsRobertGraham.jpg). Including [pattern-pattern-pattern](http://cdn.bloguin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/2014/02/haroldreynolds.jpg). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plaid-shirt-and-striped-tie-etc/687371.md?page=2)