It is possible to carry off tastefully, a pattern on shirt, tie and jacket. Nevertheless, this takes experience, and the development of taste and style over a bit of time. To begin with, a simpler strategy can be evoked. Some patterns need not be thought of as patterns, but can be used almost as a solid. In a shirt, very fine line stripes can appear as a solid. Therefore a strong patterned tie will not conflict. However, you cannot assume that a striped necktie would be appropriate with such a shirt. Treat patterns which appear to be solid from the distance as though they are solid in both ties and shirts; a crested tie with a wide repeat - a pattern with a wide setting - can be used as a solid against a busy striped or checked shirting.