Learn simple rules to help you select the right tie with your suit for any occasion.
It is astonishing to see how a cute, well-knotted, and well chosen tie adds extra flourish and refinement to your suit. It is a foremost and unmissable accessory in men's clothing; an article of exceptional value in men's closets. A quality tie highlights both your suit and frame, further projecting and putting a seal of approval on your personal style. It often gets swift attention - the right tie can bring a quick focus on your looks. Like a dart in the center of a dartboard. A spectacular range of designer ties so charming to behold are available in-store and online for style connoisseurs.
A quick forage through the world’s top men's fashion brands like Hermes, Paul Smith, Brooks Brothers, Ferragamo, Hawes & Curtis, or Ralph Lauren quickly reveals they have carved a niche for luxury customized ties for men. The best ties are made from silk, and such high-end ties and tie accessories are clearly not cheap; although these distinguished suit pieces are durable and praiseworthy. Aside from the innumerable and amazing designs and colours that accompany their glossy look, ties made of silk are not prone to wrinkles and maintain their form. While fabric options such as wool, polyester, linen, and cotton also exist, along with fabric blends (like cotton and silk).
With this backdrop, you should approach choosing the right tie to match your outfit with business sense. But it may not be the easiest task to pick from innumerable options of colour, pattern, size, type, and fabric. We intend to simplify that procedure in this article. But let's start with the basics - the tie size.
Tie Size and Body Proportion
To pick the right tie size, particularly neckties, you must check for two dimensions: length and width. Certain style guides recommend that the widest points on your tie and your jacket lapel should be proportional to each other. But a better and less ambiguous yardstick to determine proper tie size is that tie width should be in direct proportion to body type/size. It will profit men with large or broad bodies to wear wide neckties; that size rightly complements their physical looks. Conversely, slim men and lean/slim neckties are a match made in heaven. A handful of online tie width guides indicate that the standard tie width is 3.25 inches.
In terms of length, neckties range from 57 inches to a maximum of 63 inches; the ideal tie length is 57 inches. When worn, a standard necktie should not go lower than the belt line - at most 60 inches thereabout. An exception to that rule is if the wearer has bigger-than-usual body proportions: is either tall, broad chested, wide necked, or with a long torso. If you are over six feet tall, you can opt for a longer tie. For such men, longer neckties of up to 63 inches are available. If you have a tie that is a bit too long, fold it in and use a tie clip to hold it in place.
A necktie presents you with the image of better comportment if it covers your shirt buttons and/or stays in place. To pull that hat trick, consider attaching a tie bar to your necktie. It works similar to a tie clip, but it adds just a tad more sleekness and structure to your looks.
A well-tailored suit jacket should also hide the tip of your tie, though the jacket itself should not be longer than the regular. If the jacket covers your seat or the sleeves stretch beyond your wrists - it is clearly too long.
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Other Deciding Factors in Choosing the Right Tie
Above and beyond the tie size, you need to factor in other features like the type of tie, the type of knot, the target event/occasion, your physical features, and the colour and/or patterns on your tie and shirt. Each of them narrows down your selection to the one with the best visual aesthetic, if you leverage them well.
Type of Tie: Should I Pick A Bow Tie or Necktie?
Neckties are a versatile and timeless choice for adding a strong touch of organization to both formal and semi-formal outfits. But inasmuch as bow ties can be a brilliant option for formal gatherings, the patterns on a bow tie may alter your appearance to fit into the laid-back or social butterfly mode.
Neckties offer the option to look demure and yet sophisticated, eliminating any exaggerated or pompous appearance. They are a cool choice for state, religious, and corporate functions; office wear; traditional and themed weddings; and evening parties as well.
On the other hand, bow ties often radiate the bold and classy aura - an undeniable high society look. A bow tie takes the sophistication game a notch higher by giving you a highly polished appearance, especially when paired with a tuxedo or some other well-fitting formal suit. To add a timeless, glossy stamp to your suit ensemble, accompany that tuxedo with a black silk bow tie. A diamond point bow tie further sets you apart from the crowd without appearing too showy.
Wear a modern look by choosing a bow tie made from shine-free natural fabrics like cotton. Again, bow ties with simple patterns are more suitable for semi-formal occasions. But reserve bolder patterns for social events and casual outings.
The Colour and Pattern of Your Tie
Suit jackets in core colours like black, gray, brown, or blue look good when matched with almost any other colour of tie and shirt - especially for formal gatherings. But a rule of thumb you should follow is to match the tie colour with the dominant colour of your shirt.
A tie in a dark blue solid colour will blend well with a shirt having vivid touches of a near-enough blue pattern or solid colour. Again, patterns on a matching tie and shirt should be alternate in size to enhance visual harmony. If the tie has large patterns, the shirt should have small patterns; and the other way round.
Match Your Tie with The Target Occasion
When the occasion demands a corporate or business-like look, choose a tie in a neural colour. The less the patterns, the better. Or at least choose a subdued colour (or set of colours and patterns) that does not appear too loud or flashy. Darker colours like navy blue, black, or deep green will be appropriate in office settings or meetings.
Ties with flashy or bright colours (like red, gold, yellow, cream, white, pink and more), silk ties, or bold patterns are agreeable with parties, celebrations, and festivities. Consider them for costume parties, music festivals, weddings, themed parties, New Year’s Eve, Christmas, galas, and more.
Your Tie and Your Physical Features
It is expedient to wear a tie colour that highlights or contrasts with those of your physical features - namely your skin tone or complexion, hair color, or even the colour of your eyes. For an illustration, if you have a dark complexion, you may wear a lighter-coloured tie for a contrast; and the other way round. Or perhaps choose that body feature with the most striking colour, and wear a tie that suitably contrasts with it.
You Tie and Your Shirt Collar
The style and size of your shirt collar should also agree with the tie width. A lean or skinny tie by nature will match a smaller collar; the reverse case is also true. Band collars and cuban collars by nature do not require a tie, nor should you consider them for a strictly formal suit up. In some cases, button-down and spread collars can eclipse the need for a tie.
Tie Knots and The Shape of Your Face
It is important that after choosing the right size and colour/pattern of necktie for your outfit, you should also knot it with the precision that highlights the contours of your face to make it look attractive. The tie knot should align with your facial shape. Triangular, rectangular, or oval faces deserve a wide knot. Round faces can go along with long but large knots; while longer faces can go well with a thin knot.
Parting Words - Tie the Pieces Together
Choosing the right tie to complement your suit or outfit is important to your overall appearance of comportment. A sharp-cut suit deserves no less than a noble tie to project a powerful and organized look. You must note that understanding your body shape, skin tone, facial shape, and other physical features you possess can contribute to it. It also speaks well of your personal style to maintain a harmony of colours and patterns when balancing your tie with the rest of your attire.
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