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7 Ways to Wear a Printed Shirt

Printed and patterned shirts are the perfect way of adding a little pizzazz to your everyday outfit. With numerous shirt styles for men including brightly coloured options alongside muted tones, a printed shirt may seem like it is only acceptable to wear on a sunny holiday, but this isn’t the case! 

From floral shirts to classic checkered and all-round funky shirts, there’s a style and type of shirt for every man to step a little outside of his comfort zone and give a printed shirt a go!  

Here’s 7 ways you can incorporate a printed shirt into your wardrobe and truly stand out from the crowd with a little Joe Brown's help.

Dressed Down Suit


There is no suit that can’t be enhanced with a printed shirt — perfect for the party season or any event, particularly during summer months. Depending on the type of suit and print, a patterned shirt can either dress up or down your whole look; it’s all about the balance. 

Monochrome is a foolproof way of incorporating a patterned shirt into your suit ensemble. For a black or brown suit, choose a lighter coloured shirt such as pink or white. If you’re wearing a white, cream or linen suit, the options are endless as these suits are screaming out for some contrast and colour. Think of these as a blank canvas; you can add almost any colour and pattern to really make as much of a statement as you desire. 

Shorts For Holiday Vibes


Perfect for a beer in the beach bar, a printed shirt with a pair of shorts in denim, black or neutral colours will form the ideal holiday ensemble. Floral and Hawaiian printed shirts are arguably a summer essential in every man's wardrobe. These bright colours and designs will definitely ensure you stand out from the crowd and leave you feeling confident for all the right reasons. 

When styling an outfit, make sure your shorts are a block colour, otherwise you risk it being pattern overload! Wear your favourite trainers for a cool and casual outfit, or if you're wanting to dress it up a little, a pair of loafers offer the ideal alternative. Don’t forget to accessorise with sunglasses to complete the whole look!

Dress Up Your Denim


Is there anything that you can’t wear with a pair of well-fitting jeans? We don’t think so! If you’re wondering how to style printed shirts without looking like the outfit is over-the-top, jeans are the perfect place to begin! It is, however, important to consider the wash of your jeans when looking to pair them with floral, checkered or funky shirts, as each wash will lend themselves differently to different colours, designs and patterns. 

For a shirt popping with flowers and colour, choose a lighter wash denim — this will give just the right amount of 90’s vibes! For a more classic or muted design, choose a pair of black skinny jeans to really let the shirt do all the talking.

Under a Jacket


One of the key aspects to wearing a patterned shirt is to keep the remainder of your outfit somewhat understated so that the shirt is the star of the show. The easiest way to do this is to keep the colours tonal with one main contrasting colour. 

If you’re wearing a light blue floral shirt, pair this with a navy bomber jacket for a casual look or if you’re wanting to smarten up your style, choose a navy blazer jacket. If you’re looking to add an extra edge to your monochrome floral shirt, pair it with a black leather jacket and skinny jeans for a subtle biker style.  

Smart Casual With Chinos


When you think of smart casual, you may instantly pick out your favourite pair of jeans and a shirt. Why not switch this up? Instead of opting for denim, consider choosing a pair of chinos instead. Neutrally coloured chinos, as well as navy and burgundy colours, work exceptionally well with a variety of shirts, including those beloved patterned shirts!

If you’re looking to dress the look up further, tuck in your shirt and use a belt to create even more of a contrast between your shirt and trousers. If you’re trying to keep it more casual, leave your shirt untucked and wear it with a pair of trainers.

Choose A White Tee


No matter what you choose to wear with your patterned shirt, there are several ways you can style it. A great way to keep it casual is to layer it over a white t-shirt. Checkered shirts in particular lend themselves to this style, as it creates a slightly grungy and cool looking ensemble. 

This look can be easily worn with skinny jeans and trainers, then throw a leather jacket over the top to effortlessly complete your outfit. While there is still an element of tailoring with your shirt, open the buttons to create a relaxed finish. This style can also be mixed up with a variety of different colours; a red checkered shirt is sure to stand out when layered on top of a white tee with black skinny jeans!

Consider Your Accessories


Accessories are arguably the most important element to ensure the whole outfit looks put together and finished. During the summer, a pair of sunglasses should already be an essential. A belt is also a great way to break up a look, especially if you’ve paired your patterned shirt with coloured trousers or jeans. 

Men’s jewellery, such as leather bracelets and necklaces, can add to the cool yet casual holiday look when you’re heading down to the nearest beach bar. For more top tips when you’re looking to accessorize your outfit, make sure you check out our post on the ultimate guide to men’s accessories.


How will you be wearing your patterned shirt? Join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram. And don’t forget to save our inspiration section for more style tips!