Ties are probably the single best way that a man can show his style creativity. Women’s fashion gives them several different ways to accessorize their looks and be creative. We have less options, but I would argue that there’s not a better fashion accessory out there than ties, for men or women. Your choice of tie matters a lot. I’ve mentioned before what people focus on when they look at you, an 18 square inch box that goes shoulder to shoulder and from the top of your head to your chest. What’s the centerpiece in that picture (besides your face, of course)? Your tie. Know what you’re doing, and the reward will be tremendous.
The rules of ties.
The tie needs to TIE (ahh, see that?) your shirt and suit together. So it needs to have a color of the shirt and a color of the suit. Your tie needs to extend to the top of your belt buckle. If it’s too long or too short, take the time to retie it. Tie the knot tight. It should be snug against your neck. If it’s loose, it looks sloppy, therefore you will look sloppy.
Know the right knot for you. If you’re a skinnier guy, the four-in-hand, a simple method that produces a small and slender knot, will work for you. For everyone else, learn how to tie the half-Windsor. This yields a larger and fuller knot. Remember what I said about the 18 by 18 box people focus on? Your tie knot happens to be in the very center of that box. Your knot matters.
Only buy ties that are 100% silk.
They make ties out of polyester, but polyester ages terribly and doesn’t knot well. The price difference is usually nothing big, so always stick with silk. If you’re a slender guy, you can wear skinny ties. If you aren’t, they won’t look good on you. The ratio of shirt surface area to tie surface area will be too off.
Put a dimple in your tie just below the knot. Pinch the two sides together so there is a small valley in the center of your tie. It’s a small detail that pays off. You can use a tie bar or tie chain if you want. But there is such a thing as too much bling on your suit. Combining a tie chain with cuff links and a watch is probably too much.
Dress for the occasion
Ties are hugely subjective, and there are literally thousands of different possibilities out there. Keep this in mind. Professional dress is nearly always conservative and simple, while social and fun dress is more open and available. For an interview, a simple stripe or pattern that isn’t a bright color works well.
Style can be simple; you’ll still look good if your look is understated. If you’re too bright and in your face, it may be looked at negatively. Think about contrast. The tie shouldn’t pop out against the shirt and suit very much here.
Be bold; make a statement.
Again, social events are where you can open it up. This is where you can mix in your brightly colored ties with eye-catching designs. Paisley ties are really popular right now. As I said before, focus on contrast. But here, the more your tie pops the better. If you have a dark colored shirt on, wear a light colored tie and vice versa. Make sure you have an eye for color though. Your tie still has to match; otherwise women will be covering their eyes and going the other way. If you don’t have an eye for color, ask the salesman for suggestions; it’s a big part of his job.
Don’t store your ties with the knot in them.
This kills the tie. Learn how to tie a tie. It’s not very hard. Then hang your ties up nicely. Take care of them, and they’ll last forever. Don’t, and they’ll last a year or less. As far as cleaning, ties should be dry cleaned only if they get dirty. Otherwise, don’t waste your time and money.
Nothing brings out the personality of your style like your choice of tie. So it’s important to know what you’re doing and to have the confidence to wear what you know will leave an impression. In the spirit of the bigger picture, here’s the basics on your choice of suit, here’s a little on the basics of dress shirts, a little information on shoes and belts and other accessories, and a blurb on dressing professionally in a more casual sense.
Zac Johnson - My name is Zac Johnson. I'm a 22 year old senior at Arizona State University in Tempe, majoring in political science. I'll graduate in ...
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