Men's ties come in every imaginable colour, design, fabric and cut. Even those who have worn ties for many years often find it difficult to make a decision when choosing a great tie. There are different kinds of ties that are not suited to everyone's style. Hence, it is necessary to choose the right tie which will complement your entire outfit and your personal style.
Note that each person has their own morphology and tie width should be chosen with respect to this. This rule is very easy to understand - if you are slimmer, your tie will also be slimmer. On the other hand, broader men will opt for wider ties instead.
Here are some tips that will certainly be useful when you choose the right tie.
Width
The first, and perhaps most important thing to consider when choosing a tie is the proportion. That is, the length and width of the tie should be considered and how it relates to the overall look. As a general rule, the right tie is one that is perfectly proportional to the size of the individual wearing it. Men who fall into the "big and strong" category, for example, require a tie that is a bit longer. For this reason, many retailers offer quite long neckties.
Length
The ideal length is the one that allows you to tie your tie with its end that will reach your belt. The rationale behind this is related to its purely decorative function - the tie must hide all the buttons of the shirt.
Colour and Pattern
If the shirt has a large pattern, choose a tie with a small pattern. If the shirt has a small pattern, it's okay to go ahead and choose a tie with a larger design. Whichever design you choose, make sure that the dominant colour in the shirt is the dominant colour in the tie. The easiest way to match the patterns of shirts is to choose a solid coloured tie that matches the shirt's dominant colour.
The choice of the colour of the tie depends on the occasion. A blue, black or dark-grey suit is a must for many professional encounters. Wear white shirts with any coloured tie to complement your suit. Now, it's just a matter of thinking about how you're going to combine casual and classic styling for other events. Even for New Year's Eve, a tie can be an accessory to consider without looking too classic.
Knot
The style of the knot depends on the occasion and which style you are going for. Here, the size of the knot is key. The most recommended knot is the “American Knot”. It's both natural and elegant and complements all different types of shirt collars. It's possible that you've spent a good part of your time choosing a suitable tie - the one that best matches your shirt and suit. Everything seems correct, however, something as basic as the knot is forgotten. A suitable knot to the neck of the shirt and an appropriate length of the tie can really complement the stature of the individual wearing the tie.
Occasion
On occasions such as business meetings and job interviews, it is advisable to opt for a neutral tie. Your interviewer may take you more seriously and take an interest in you instead of the screaming Disney characters in your tie.
On festive occasions on the other hand, the tie can be chic and showy. A very good choice would be a silk tie. Such a tie has a luxurious appearance and beautifully reflects the light, whilst being soft to touch. You should reserve your black or white ties for the gala events and professional meetings. For a casual wedding, you have every opportunity to opt for a showy colour, such as pink or turquoise. For laid back office environments, you can also opt for a tie a little less discreet with a bit more character.
Bow Ties
Today, there are many designs, patterns and fabrics in bow ties. Silk, cotton, flannel, tweed and even denim - it's all a matter of knowing what you're going to combine to show off your style. The shiny, silk, black bow tie may not be the best option if you want to modernise your look, since that type of styling is for when you are going classic.
Ties and Your Face
In addition to choosing your tie according to your morphology, you can also take into account your complexion, your hair and even tie a knot according to the shape of your face. Wear colours that contrast your complexion, your hair or your eyes and see what works best for you.
When choosing a tie, you must pay attention to your morphology and the shape of your face. If you have a round face, try a wide tie. This technique is also effective for those with a relatively large neck. Conversely, if you have a rather thin or skinny neck, opt for a skinny tie. People with average morphologies can turn to a medium or slim tie.
Depending on the shape of your face, some necktie knots will be more suited to you. For round faces, I recommend a simple knot which is large and longer. For those with a rectangular, oval, or triangular-shaped face, it is best to use a wider knot. Finally, those who have a longer face can choose a thinner knot, such as as semi-Windsor. I also advise you to adapt tie width to the style of the shirt collar. For example, for a smaller collared-shirt, use a skinny tie.
Conclusion:
The tie is not just an ornament. It is the element that catches the attention for your entire outfit. It is important that you pay special attention to look like a gentleman too. You do not need to be a fashion expert to wear a tie and can use the information above as a guide for when you wear ties. From the material, width and the knot of the tie, there are several rules that you should know to be able to carry this accessory correctly.
Combining a tie well with the rest of the outfit is just one part of the style of an elegant person. Don't forget to show off your personal style whilst wearing appropriate accessories for interviews and other professional events.
Few modern day decisions are as perplexing as choosing the right tie width. In this detailed guide, we cover how to choose an appropriate tie width, whether its based on your body frame, type of occasion you are dressing up for, or other salient considerations.
You’re set to strut the town in your swanky new ensemble. Exquisite Dress Shirt. Check. A bespoke suit that looks like you’ve been poured into it. Check. Stunning Oxford Cap Toes to bookend the look. Check. Heck, you even have that sublime silk tie, a design in higher yarn count silk that is truly going to set you apart. You embark on your tie tying journey – a quick 30 second ritual that is paradoxically accompanied with an overwhelming attention to detail, including achieving that perfect dimple infused knot. You’re ready to go, you think to yourself. Until you look down, and realize that your tie looks disproportionately wide. Like an American SUV on the tiny cobblestone backroads of a quaint Italian Village.
Tie Width is of paramount importance. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Fall River Navy / Orange Foulard Silk Tie.
You measure the tie at its widest point and realize its 3.75 inches. You seem perplexed. That’s a tie width reminiscent of the 80’s / 90’s heyday of Wall Street, and yet, in sheer amazement of the tie’s vibrant color design, decided on a whim to purchase it without really scanning it for its shape and dimensions. Well, that impulsive decision making has come to bite you, and you now have to revert to an older tie that you aren’t particularly interested in.
Which begs the question – What tie width is appropriate? As with all broad stroke questions, the answer requires nuance, as context is of paramount importance. What type of occasion are you dressing up for? What are your body proportions? What type of tie knot are you aiming for? What is the lapel width of your jacket? What season is it? Is this a day or evening setting? In this guide, we will discuss the key considerations in choosing the right tie width for you.
Before delving into considerations for your tie width, a brief history of the tie width will provide useful context in assessing the below considerations.
Most sartorialists concur that the origins of the necktie can be traced to the seventeenth century, during the thirty year war in France. King Louis XIII recruited Croatian Mercenaries who wore a piece of cloth around their neck as part of their uniform. These early neckties served both a functional (typing the top of their jackets) & aesthetic, decorative purpose. This version of the cravat spread in prevalence over Europe and become a mainstay for approximately 200 years. The current incarnation of the tie did not emerge until the 1920’s.
Courtesy of www.bows-n-ties.com
Discerning an appropriate level of tie width is highly contingent on your body type.
For a dapper gentleman with a broader frame and sporting wider jacket lapels (more on that below), we suggest ties in the 3.0 inch to 3.5 inch range, irrespective of occasion, though a 3.5 inch range tie may risk you looking like you walked out of a 1980’s investment bank (don’t think it’s the look most of us are going for, but hey, whatever rocks your boat!).
A conventional tie width perfectly complementing a broader body type. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Georgetown Foulard Navy / Blue Silk Tie.
Conversely, if you are of slimmer build and strutting narrower jacket lapels, you could opt for a 3.0 inch tie, but we truly believe that 3.25 inches is the sweet spot (which, incidentally, is where the large majority of our ties come out to).
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Silk Ties
As you will see below, the type of occasion that you are dressing up for matters as well. A slimmer frame, complemented by narrower lapels at a less formal event, will be perfectly accompanied by a slimmer tie in the 2.25 inch to 2.75 inch range. However, a slimmer frame at a more formal event may warrant a more conventional tie in the 3.0 inch range.
A slimmer body type is perfectly complemented by a slim cotton tie. Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
Average or athletic body types are best suited towards tie widths in between those for skinny and broader men, ranging from 2.5 to 3.25 inches. Slimmer ties, such as cotton, linen, or knitted ties, could appear more trendy and casual, while slightly wider ties are best suited for more formal settings.
An athletic body type, strutting a silk knit tie! Featuring The Dark Knot’s Cherry Creek Striped Silk Knit Tie.
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Silk Knit Ties
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Floral Cotton Ties
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Silk Ties
The Dark Knot Tip: Slimmer Men should opt for ties in the 2.25 to 2.75 inch range, though a tie in the 3.0 inch range may be warranted in a more formal capacity. Gentlemen of average or athletic body types should opt for ties anywhere from 2.5 to 3.25 inches. Broader men should opt for ties in the 3.0 to 3.5 inch range.
As mentioned above, slimmer ties can be worn by larger body types in casual settings, but the degree of slimness should be taken into account (e.g an athletic or broader build man can get away strutting a 2.5 to 2.75 inch slimmer tie, versus a 2.0 inch super skinny tie).
As a corollary to the above, corresponding your tie width to your jacket lapel proportions is extremely important.
Courtesy of www.ties.com
Slimmer lapels generally suit (no pun intended) slimmer men, and hence, a narrower tie would work perfectly (2.25 to 2.75 inches). Conversely, a slimmer man can wear a suit with averaged sized lapels, and hence opt for a tie that is more in line with conventional, yet contemporary trends (3.0 to 3.25 inches).
Average to athletic men can opt for medium sized lapels, and can therefore go with a slimmer tie or something more traditional (2.5 to 3.25 inches).
Broader men are best suited towards jackets with wider lapels, and hence a traditional tie would work best. Conversely, a broader built gentleman could opt for a slightly narrower tie (e.g a 2.5 inch silk knit tie) to a business casual setting.
Looking to dress up for daily work wear, an important presentation or wedding reception? Silk ties, in the 3.0 to 3.5 inch are your best bet. A slightly wider tie denotes a higher level of formality, and silk is seen as the ultimate in sophistication when it comes to neckwear.
A Silk Tie in standard width works best in a more formal capacity such as that all important presentation! Featuring The Dark Knot’s Berkshire Abstract Burgundy Silk Tie.
Dressing up for something more casual, such as an evening out with friends, date night or a summer beach wedding? A slimmer tie adds that perfect sense of refined elegance, allowing you to dress up a more casual ensemble. Adorn that rock hard torso with a linen, cotton or knit tie.
A slimmer cotton tie is ideal for a casual setting, such as an evening our or date night! Featuring The Dark Knot's Woodmont Floral Burgundy Cotton Tie.
The Dark Knot Tip: Exercising discretion when ascertaining tie width is critical. If you are of broader build, and are dressing for a summer beach wedding, opt for the wider end (2.5 to 2.75 inches) of the range of skinny ties. Conversely, if you are euro-slim – sure, rock up in that 2.0 inch super skinny tie. All while elegantly puffing on a Marlboro red, of course.
What kind of tie knot floats your boat? Are you striving for a gorgeous, dimple infused Full Windsor? A wider tie will work best here, with the width of the tie allowing you to tie a larger, symmetrical looking knot (mind, you, length matters here as well).
A stunning dimple infused, full windsor knot is best worn with a traditional tie width such as 3.25 inches. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Newton Abstract Grey & Silver Silk Tie.
Are you looking for a casual dapper look, where you are pimping out a less formal ensemble? A skinnier tie such as a cotton, linen or knit tie will do the trick, as not only do they offer a more relaxed vibe, they also tend to look proportionately better with a four in hand knot.
A four in hand knot, best worn in a more casual setting, is tied perfectly with this slimmer knitted polka dot tie!
What about something in between? Looking to make a formal statement, but want to look slightly dressed down. A slimmer silk tie in a four in hand or half windsor knot will have you adding panache, without sprinkling on all of the extra, unnecessary pomp.
A slimmer silk tie (2.5 inches), tied with a four in hand knot, is ideal for dressing up without looking overtly formal! Featuring The Dark Knot’s Chester Plaid Black Skinny Silk Tie.
Fabric variation is another great way to introduce skinny / slimmer ties into your ensembles when dressing more casual. Business casual settings, such as a cocktail reception, could warrant the use of a knitted tie, which typically come in at 2.5 inches or under. With square bottoms and a textured finish, knit ties are the perfect way to dress up a more casual ensemble, without planting a foot into formal land.
Slimmer Knit Ties work perfectly in a business casual setting. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Rockland Stripes Silk Knit Tie.
Other alternatives include skinny cotton or linen ties, which are ideal for those breezy spring / summer settings such as a beach wedding, country club cocktail party or your next Kentucky Derby meet!
In conjunction with fabric selection, your tie width can vary according to both occasion and season. More casual settings such as a summer beach wedding can easily warrant a slimmer linen or cotton tie, in addition to the possibility of strutting a knitted tie, which are typically 2.5 inches or less.
A slimmer floral cotton tie works perfectly in a summer setting! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
Fall & Winter Seasons are often accompanied by more formal wear, and hence, a traditional tie width at 3.0 to 3.25 inches would work perfectly. With that being said, knitted ties, which tend to be slimmer, are ideal for layering your fall & winter ensembles – as they help inject much needed textural variation into your attire!
Ok, so that was a ton of information to digest regarding what tie width to strut. To recap:
And that’s a wrap for this one! We hope that you have enjoyed reading this as much as we did writing it!