As a man, preferably wear one pastel colour per outfit and combine it with neutral shades such as cream, beige, khaki or navy. Muted shades such as light blue, ivory and light grey work most easily. Knitwear and sturdy cotton give the colour more depth. That way pastels stay calm and easy to wear.
Why pastels work so well in summer
In summer a softer colour often works well. Pastels add colour without becoming harsh. They bring colour without standing out, and they reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it. On tanned skin, soft shades also look especially good. If you are mostly used to navy, grey and black, light blue is an easy first step.
The four pastels that work for almost every man
- Light blue. The most versatile summer colour. Suits almost any skin tone and combines with everything from white to navy.
- Ivory and cream. Softer than white, warmer in tone. Looks luxurious and less severe than a bright white shirt.
- Light grey. A cool, neutral pastel that almost always works. Ideal if you are still unsure about colour.
- Soft pink or mint. A little bolder. Wear them as the only colour in an otherwise fully neutral outfit.
The golden rule: one pastel per outfit
With pastels, a lot is about dosage. A light blue polo with cream trousers is summery and calm. A light blue polo with light pink trousers and mint green sneakers quickly becomes too much. So stick to one soft colour and complete the rest of your outfit with neutral shades.
Combination table
| Pastel | Combine with | For |
|---|---|---|
| Light blue | Cream, khaki, navy, white | Office, terrace, holiday |
| Ivory | Khaki, taupe, navy, brown | Dinner, summer party |
| Light grey | White, navy, cream, black | City, office |
| Soft pink | Navy, grey, cream | Weekend, terrace |
Four pastel outfits for Men
1. The easiest start. The Theodore fine-knit open polo in light blue with the Harrison tapered trousers with pleats in beige and brown loafers. The open collar without buttons looks modern, and the polo is 100% lyocell, a fibre that drapes smoothly and feels cool. You can read more about this fibre on our page about lyocell.
2. Office in summer. The Hamilton shirt with Italian collar in light blue with navy or grey trousers. The light blue shirt is a classic, but with the open Italian collar and without a tie it immediately becomes more summery. You will find more shirts in the shirts for Men collection.
3. Summer dinner. The Julian knitted polo with quarter zip in ivory cream with dark trousers in navy or taupe. Ivory against dark trousers gives a lovely contrast that looks warm in evening light.
4. City and weekend. The Edmund fine-knit polo with quarter zip in light grey melange with the Vincent slim-fit trousers in khaki and white sneakers. The melange yarn adds depth, so the light grey does not look flat.
Why texture matters so much
In a very thin or shiny fabric, a pastel can look flat more quickly. So give soft colours texture. Fine knitwear, melange yarn or a sturdy cotton create shadow and depth in the fabric, which makes the colour look richer. That is why you see pastels so often in knitted polos: the knit catches the light in a way a plain T-shirt cannot.
Which pastel suits your skin tone?
A light skin tone with a cool undertone looks good in light blue and light grey. Ivory can look a little washed out on very light skin; wear it then with dark trousers that give contrast. A warmer or darker skin tone wears ivory, cream and light blue especially beautifully, because the contrast makes the skin glow. If you are unsure, hold the pastel colour next to your face in daylight and see whether your skin looks fresher or paler.
Accessories and shoes
Warm, natural accessories suit pastels. Think of brown or cognac leather shoes, a belt in the same shade and a watch with a leather strap. White sneakers make a pastel look sportier. Avoid black shoes with light pastels and neutral trousers: the contrast is then too harsh and draws attention downwards. See all combinations in our polos for Men.
A working week in pastels
If you want to try pastels, start with one or two shades that combine easily with your existing wardrobe. An example of a calm week:
- Monday: light blue shirt, navy trousers, brown loafers.
- Tuesday: light grey knitted polo with quarter zip, cream trousers, white sneakers.
- Wednesday: fully neutral, for example a navy polo with khaki trousers. A rest for the eye.
- Thursday: ivory polo, taupe or navy trousers, cognac belt.
- Friday: light blue open polo, khaki trousers, suede loafers.
Common mistakes with pastels
- Two pastels at once. A light blue top with mint green trousers quickly becomes sweet. Choose one.
- Everything light. A pastel polo with white trousers and white shoes can look flat. Add depth with a brown belt or darker shoes.
- Fabrics that are too thin. A pastel in a limp, shiny material quickly looks cheap. Choose knitwear or sturdy cotton.
- Shades that are too bright. A pastel is soft and muted. Baby pink or bright mint are candy colours rather than pastels.
With a calm base, pastels are easy to combine for work, weekends and holidays.
Shop the look
Theodore: fine-knit open polo without buttons, light blue
Hamilton: shirt with Italian collar, light blue
Julian: knitted polo with quarter zip, ivory cream
Edmund: fine-knit polo with quarter zip, light grey melange
Harrison: tapered trousers with pleats, beige
Vincent: slim-fit trousers with mid-rise, khaki
Frequently asked questions
Can men wear pastel colours to the office?
Yes. A light blue shirt or a light grey knitted polo with navy or grey trousers is polished and fits in most offices.
Which trousers go with a pastel polo?
Neutral shades such as cream, beige, khaki, taupe or navy. Avoid a second pastel colour in your trousers.
Are pastels only for summer?
They suit spring and summer best. In autumn you can keep wearing light blue and light grey under a dark sweater or cardigan.
