There are certain items of clothing that no man should be without. One is a good pair of khaki chinos. Another is a classic military style pea coat. At the very top of this list is the true king of essentials: the black suit. If you can open up your closet and see a well-fitted black suit hanging there, then you have the most indispensable item in a man's wardrobe. The suit itself, however, is just part of the equation. Because after all, you can't just wear it on its own; you must know what to pair it with to look your best.

White shirt and black tie:

If you want to appear totally classic, go for a white shirt and a black tie. This is traditionally a formal look, but you can make it look more or less casual depending on how you wear it. For example, an elegant pair of cufflinks and a sleek hairstyle can dress up a black suit and black tie, whereas some leather bracelets and a disheveled hairdo (think Johnny Depp) can make it appear more casual.

Blue shirt and blue patterned tie:

This combination is perfect for when you want to wear your black suit, but don't want it to appear too dramatic. A good example of this would be at a job interview. A light to medium blue shirt will help to soften the look of the suit a bit. Look for a tie with the same shade of blue in it, along with other complimentary colors. For example, a foulard tie in shades of blue and green would work well, or a striped tie in blue, yellow and black.

White shirt and red, orange, or yellow tie:

You've likely seen politicians in this combination before, and that is because it generally says "business." This is a look that commands attention and respect. It is a good look to wear if you are heading up a business meeting or have an important presentation or proposal to make. And make sure your tie knot is perfectly straight if you really want people to take you seriously.

Striped shirt and patterned tie:

This is a look that is great for social events such as parties and weddings. Look for a shirt with wide set stripes- a bit wider than the traditional pinstripe. Nice stripe colors to look for are gray or light blue. Or, look for a light silvery gray shirt with a darker gray stripe.

Then select a tie that incorporates the colors of the stripes into a pattern. For example, with a blue striped shirt, look for a diagonally striped tie in blue, green, and gold. For a slightly bolder look, select a solid colored shirt and a patterned tie. I think that a dark purple shirt and a violet paisley tie look great with a black suit. (Just don't wear something bold like this to a serious or somber event.) Similarly, consider pairing a light colored shirt with a darker tie of the same color, such as a light purple shirt with a dark violet tie. Or, if you are more daring, go for a light green shirt with a dark purple tie. Contrasting colors are an interesting and attractive choice when paired with the neutral canvas of a black suit.