What Shirts to Wear With a Blue Suit Jacket

The beauty of a blue suit is it's a classic color that's chic, super fashionable and looks superb on both men and women. Fashion trends have broadened the array of blue hues on the style scene. From cobalt to cerulean, the specific color of blue blazer you choose should set the tone for the shirt you wear under it.

Dark Blue Jackets

A classic-cut, navy blue suit is the most frequented shade of blue. It's a safe choice, perfect for the office or any event requiring a professional polish. Guys, add a fresh style to the classic navy jacket with a blue-and-white bengal-striped shirt with a pale-gray sock and caramel-colored wingtip brogues. Women should try a navy blue button-down with white polka dots. Indigo is an excellent choice for a blue suit in the new brighter, more saturated hues. This vibrant color, traditionally used for coloring denim, works well with white shirts. Indigo is also a fantastic color to experiment with spring colors such as cerulean -- a fancy name for sky blue -- for a more fashion-forward style.

Light Blue Jackets

The light blue suit that used to hide in the shadows until summer is on-trend all year round now that designers are producing suits and jackets in rich blue colors such as cerulean. Wear a pale blue blazer with a light neutral button-down such as white, ivory or heather gray. For a bolder style, wear a shirt that has a dark purple-blue stripe or check. Same rules apply to both men and women. Avoid dark shirts under a soft blue jacket or it will throw off the balance of the outfit.

Plaid Jackets

A blue plaid jacket is more style sensitive than it's solid counterparts. If you're wearing a dark blue jacket with a lighter plaid pattern, work with the lightest color in the jacket. The safe choice is a solid shirt in that color or lighter. If you're confident in your fashion sense, try something highly fashionable and wear a white shirt with a blue check that's in between the two shades of your jacket. Women can accomplish this pattern-on-pattern trend with a bow-tie blouse in a similar color scheme.

Pinstripes

Few suits can hold their own against the navy blue pinstripe suit. A navy pinstripe jacket has a classic sophistication not to be messed with -- keep the accessories simple with a crisp white button-down. Women, wear a matching pinstripe vest with no button-down for a sexy look that balances the masculinity of this jacket.

Denim Shirts

For a chic, fashion-forward style statement, go tone-on-tone and wear any blue blazer with a denim dress shirt. The new take on the traditionally western-wear style of button-downs is more fitted, woven in finer fabrics and sits neatly under a jacket. Guys should add a bow tie or a graphic-print tie for a preppy-cool look. Women, keep your shirt unbuttoned and add a gold statement necklace for a stunning mix of refined, rugged and polished elements.