Improving Shirt And Tie Combinations

[hongkongdonkey]

Now that Winter is over the jumpers are off and I'm bak to a very plain shirt and tie. How can I take the shirt and tie to another level? It's a very conservative workplace although a suit may seem a bit OTT but no tie would be unacceptable. I'm currently wear grey or navy trousers, blue, white or check slim fit shirts and brown brogues or black boots. Does anybody have any inspiration for me?

[Sam]

Mixing patterns is quite a sharp look. Make sure that the main colour of the tie picks out an accent colour in the shirt, and that the pattern of the tie is larger than that of the shirt, and you're set.

[Nat]

For me the most important thing in setting yourself apart is in the fit - make sure the shirt isn't billowy, or too long on the arms or too big on the collar.

Apart from that, what about a tie bar, or if you're feeling more adventurous, a collar bar?