Skinny Fit Patterned Dress Shirts

With patterned dress shirts, start with the smallest pattern you can find. A fine stripe or a subtle check reads as texture at a distance and stays easy to pair with a tie. Save windowpane, plaid and bolder prints for sport coats and open-collar wear. When you wear a pattern dress shirt with a tie, vary the scale: a small shirt pattern with a larger tie pattern, or a solid tie if in doubt.

For more, read the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pair a patterned dress shirt with a tie without clashing?

Vary the scale: pair a small shirt pattern with a larger tie pattern, or the reverse, and keep the colors related. If in doubt, wear a solid tie with a patterned shirt.

What dress shirt patterns are appropriate for a conservative office?

Fine stripes, small checks and subtle micro-patterns. They read as near-solid from a distance. Save bold plaids and florals for casual and event wear.

What is the difference between a check and a plaid?

A check is a regular grid of equal squares, like gingham. A plaid layers stripes of different widths and colors that cross at right angles. Checks look dressier; plaids are more casual.