1. Dominate colors – For stripe or check shirts choose a tie which uses the same dominant colors of the shirt. For example if you have a navy and yellow stripe shirt choose a tie that is predominately navy blue or yellow.
2. Weight of pattern – You want your shirt and tie to have a different weight of pattern. If not the combination will look busy and confusing. Go for a look with one piece having a bolder pattern than the other. A perfect example of this is a classic black and white fine stripe matched with a bold black and grey thick diagonal stripe tie.
3. Use smaller patterns with larger ones - Choose a shirt with a small pattern and a tie with a larger pattern or vice versa. The colors matter but not as much in this rule just as long as you keep it in the same color family or neutral.
   
4. Stripe and stripe – this combination works well but be sure the stripes aren’t identical in size.
5. Ties with patterns – polka dots, paisley and box patterns work well with stripe and check shirts and create a nice contrast. Ensure that the colour of the tie compliments a dominant colour in the shirt.
6. Tone on tone – this classic look works well if the colours are selected correctly. Make sure that the tie is one or two shades darker than the shirt so that it forms a nice contrast. A pale pink shirt with a pink tie two shades dark is very elegant.
7. Check shirt – Find the dominate colour in the check shirt and find at tie with this colour. It’s okay to put stripe ties on check, just make sure the weight of the pattern of the tie is different to the shirt.
8. Solid tie – A solid colour tie will work perfectly with any stripe or check shirt, especially with a bold pattern. Simply choose a solid colour that compliments one of the dominant colours in your shirt.
9. Plain shirts – When wearing a plain shirt, let’s say blue or white, you really can’t go wrong with a tie choice. Use this as an opportunity to match a busy or bold tie and show your fashion flare and make a statement.
10. Your personality – A tie is an opportunity for you to show your individuality. As well as following the above rules make sure the tie says something about who you are.

Most importantly, when matching your tie and shirt, have fun. It’s not all about rules, but more about experimenting to give you a more sophisticated, polished look and give you more options.