What Goes With a White Shirt: Trousers, Layers and Shoes

Navy, charcoal and blackPhysical mechanism

The strongest contrast available, which is why it looks so formal and so clear.

DenimColourwise guidance

It works with every wash, and looks sharper against darker ones.

Beige and cream trousersColourwise guidance

White above beige is a common near miss: the two are close enough to look like an attempted match, and far enough to fail. Cream or pale blue on top is often easier.

Knitwear over itColourwise guidance

A little white at the collar is enough to lift a dark or muted knit, and it brings light next to the face.

I am wearingIn this colour

Level of dress

Weather

BlackCharcoalMid greyLight greyNavyDark brownMid brownTanCamelBeigeCreamIvoryWhiteOliveForest greenSageDeep tealPale blueBurgundyOxbloodPlumDusty roseBlushLavenderRustTerracottaMustardCobaltRedCoral

Below it

BlackBlack is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
Dusty roseDusty rose brings the colour while white stays quiet, so it becomes the point of the outfit.
Mid greyMid grey is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
Light greyA moderate step down in lightness from white, which gives a softer, more relaxed look.Close enough to look like an attempted match and far enough away to fail it. This is the effect behind two blacks that do not agree, or a cream shirt against a beige trouser. Either close the gap or open it decisively.

Over it

BlackBlack is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
OliveOlive brings the colour while white stays quiet, so it becomes the point of the outfit.
Mid greyMid grey is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
BeigeA moderate step down in lightness from white, which gives a softer, more relaxed look.Close enough to look like an attempted match and far enough away to fail it. This is the effect behind two blacks that do not agree, or a cream shirt against a beige trouser. Either close the gap or open it decisively.

Navy, charcoal and blackPhysical mechanism

The strongest contrast available, which is why it looks so formal and so clear.

DenimColourwise guidance

It works with every wash, and looks sharper against darker ones.

Beige and cream trousersColourwise guidance

White above beige is a common near miss: the two are close enough to look like an attempted match, and far enough to fail. Cream or pale blue on top is often easier.

Knitwear over itColourwise guidance

A little white at the collar is enough to lift a dark or muted knit, and it brings light next to the face.

I am wearingIn this colour

Level of dress

Weather

BlackCharcoalMid greyLight greyNavyDark brownMid brownTanCamelBeigeCreamIvoryWhiteOliveForest greenSageDeep tealPale blueBurgundyOxbloodPlumDusty roseBlushLavenderRustTerracottaMustardCobaltRedCoral

Below it

BlackBlack is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
Dusty roseDusty rose brings the colour while white stays quiet, so it becomes the point of the outfit.
Mid greyMid grey is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
Light greyA moderate step down in lightness from white, which gives a softer, more relaxed look.Close enough to look like an attempted match and far enough away to fail it. This is the effect behind two blacks that do not agree, or a cream shirt against a beige trouser. Either close the gap or open it decisively.

Over it

BlackBlack is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
OliveOlive brings the colour while white stays quiet, so it becomes the point of the outfit.
Mid greyMid grey is much darker than white, so the two separate cleanly and the outfit looks sharp.
BeigeA moderate step down in lightness from white, which gives a softer, more relaxed look.Close enough to look like an attempted match and far enough away to fail it. This is the effect behind two blacks that do not agree, or a cream shirt against a beige trouser. Either close the gap or open it decisively.

What goes with a white shirt

Why it behaves the way it does

What to wear with it

Shoes

What usually goes wrong

Check it against your own clothes

Below it

Over it

Shoes with black below

What usually goes wrong

Related guides

What goes with a white shirt

Why it behaves the way it does

What to wear with it

Shoes

What usually goes wrong

Check it against your own clothes

Below it

Over it

Shoes with black below

What usually goes wrong

Related guides