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Male Pattern Boldness: How to Wear
Printed Shirts

Swap out your staid solid button-down for one of these livelier numbers to bring a little of-the-moment energy to your suit.

November 2012 Issue

Fine Print: How to Pull Off the Look

1. When you wear a patterned shirt, it's generally wise to restrict the rest of your outfit to neutral shades like gray, navy, and khaki.

2. An easy, effective way to mix patterns is to combine a printed shirt with a tie in a textured fabric—say, gingham with herringbone.

3. Keep it small: A subtle, tasteful pattern can be garish in a larger size.

4. If you're feeling hesitant, the best starter pattern for shirts is the simple pin dot.

5. Keep the collar of a patterned shirt on the small side so your overall look doesn't get too noisy.

Suit ($1,595) by Burberry Prorsum. Shirt ($245) by Hamilton 1883. Tie ($60) by Banana Republic.

Photographs by Jennifer Livingston.

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