How to Choose a Shirt & Tie for a White Linen Suit

Linen is a comfortable fabric that can be worn for both casual and dressy occasions. One of the biggest advantages of wearing a suit in this fabric is its breathability, which makes it the fabric of choice for many men during hot months. Fashion experts agree that a white linen suit should be worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day. When choosing a shirt and tie for a linen suit, it's important to take the casual look and feel of the suit into consideration.

• 1

  Choose a shirt and tie of a contrasting fabric. For example, cotton and silk both contrast linen.

• 2
  Choose a bold or subdued color palette for your shirt. busines men at suit and tie image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com

  You have two options when pairing a shirt with a white linen suit: You can be the center of attention or you can look dapper. If you're wearing your suit to a wedding, choose subdued colors to avoid taking attention away from the bridal couple. On the other hand, if you're wearing your suit on a cruise or a date, a bolder color is in order.

• 3
  Choose a summery tie -- or no tie at all -- to complement your linen suit. tie image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com

  Choose a color that either complements or contrasts the white in your linen suit. If you prefer a bolder look, choose a bright color like blue or purple. A lighter colored shirt and tie, such as white or gray, will complement the white and give the impression of calm confidence.

• 4

  A tie is not required with a white linen suit. However, if you decide to wear one, choose a summery tie that complements the shirt you've chosen.