How to Wear a Tie

Despite the commonness of ties, many men don’t really know that much about the accessory. Ties have a unique place in men’s fashion and the style of tie you choose – even the way you wear it – should be determined by the situation you are facing. Knowing how to wear a tie is vital for always looking your best in any situation, both in your personal life and at work.

Of course knowing how to wear a tie and having a working knowledge of the various knot types won’t help you if your tie collection is lacking. You can find quality men’s ties in just about any department store or men’s speciality store. If you have a limited budget, shop online for affordable cotton or polyester ties. You can even find ties in thrift shops, which is a great idea if you won’t be wearing it very often. Keep some classic blue and red stripe ties handy, as well as a couple that are more personal to you. If your budget is small and you’re just building your tie collection, focus on classic pieces in regular widths rather than trendy skinny ties in seasonal colours.

Tie Styles

There are 2 common styles of ties: skinny ties and regular width ties. Skinny ties are often seen as being more fashion-forward than wider ties. They also have a more submissive appearance and are generally worn by people who aren’t in a position of authority. Musicians, celebrities and lower ranking office workers frequently choose the fashionable ties for the sake of appearances. Higher ranking executives, news anchors and government officials tend to stick with the classic regular width tie.

Beyond the different widths, there are different materials that can be found as well. Silk ties are generally considered higher end items while cotton or nylon ties are affordable and are often used for seasonal or printed ties. Silk ties cost more than other types of materials, but maintain their appearance longer and sit better against the body.

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Knot Types

Most men have one way that they tie their neckties and that’s about it. The most common knot styles are the Windsor, the Half-Windsor and the Four-in-Hand. When choosing a knot style, it’s important to take into consideration the shirt collar type, the event and the style of the tie. Knots have the ability to completely alter the look of a tie, making or breaking an outfit.

The Windsor knot has a crisp and precise look that many men favour. It has a wide knot and a sharp, triangular shape. It can be worn with wide-collared shirts and works best with regular width ties. It is sometimes referred to as the full or double Windsor knot.

The Half-Windsor is also triangular like the regular Windsor, but it’s smaller and fits better with standard shirt collars. It can be used on formal or informal occasions and is a good fit for thicker ties because the knotting style does not require a double wrapping, leading to less bulk. The Half-Windsor requires less tie length, making it a great choice for ties that are slightly too short for other knot types.

The Four-in-Hand knot is a basic style that’s easy to execute. For that reason, the Four-in-Hand knot got its name from jokes about English horsemen that couldn’t tie a knot with one hand while holding the reins to the horse in the other. It is appropriate for mainly narrow collars.

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The Prince Albert is another popular knot style. It’s similar to the Four-in-Hand knot, but with a second wrap around that adds volume. It is sometimes called the double simple knot and is suitable for wide collars and long neckties. Interestingly, it is also the preferred style for thin ties.

Ties for All Occasions

The type of tie you choose will depend a lot on the occasion for which you are wearing it. Many men don’t realize that there are certain ties that are designed for specific situations in work and in life. For example, a normal work day would require a tie that is conservative, but includes a little bit of your personality. Look for prints that aren’t immediately obvious, but have a distinct pattern when you look at them closely.

If you’ll be giving an important presentation or attending a function where all eyes will be on you, keep your audience’s attention with a tie with a bold print. Instead of a common stripe, try for a paisley print. Contrast a conservative suit or shirt with a vibrant tie to assert your authority over the audience and display confidence. You can also include a wide knot like the Prince Albert to emphasize the accessory.

If you’re heading to a job interview, look for a tie that will help you stand out. Avoid joke ties, but look for something more subtly unique, like a pattern that’s unusual or a bold colour. If you’re interviewing for a job in a more creative field, make your tie choice a little more bold. Experiment with fabric, colour and even material to help your tie say something about you.

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For networking, a bold colour can bring people to you and help garner compliments that will help you break the ice. Avoiding common staples like blue and red stripes will help you stand out from the crowd in any situation.

For a black tie event, keep it simple and classic. A striped tie against a white shirt or even a tie with a fine polka dot print will look sharp without distracting from the main event. When in doubt, choose a solid in a subdued colour and use a multi-purpose knot like the Windsor.

Wrapping it up.

Knowing which tie to wear in any situation can help you create fantastic outfits that have just the right finishing touch. The tie is an often overlooked accessory that can make or break your outfit while subliminally altering the course of your career. Experiment with different ties and knot styles to find the combinations that work for your needs.