A necktie is a long piece of cloth used mostly by men serving as a decoration around the neck which rests under the shirt collar and is knotted at the throat. It is used mostly as a part of a formal wear or regular office attire and even as a part of a uniform. One can choose from the different types of tie like the ascot tie, bow tie, bolo tie, zipper tie, cravat, Knit Tie, and clip-on tie. Necktie has become a symbol of gaining respect when it comes to menswear. This is the reason why powerful men wear a tie. However, you cannot achieve that look without having the right necktie that is why here is a guide to help you choose.
Ties has various lengths to choose the right one for you. A regular tie is around 57-58″ long, while extra long ties are about 62″-64″. Shorter guys under the average of 57″ should wear ties with shorter styles.
Make sure that it is made out of quality fabric which yields a better knot, better look and better shape. To test it out, you can run your hands through the fabric and notice if there are no creases or if it doesn’t catch in your hand. Silk is a good choice since it is durable and attractive. Also, silk drapes well, keeps its shape and is naturally wrinkle-resistant. While during cooler months, wool is recommended since it has a thicker material which works well with larger knots.
Choose hand-stitched ties not machine-made. You can check if it is handmade since they always feature a “bar tack” or a large horizontal stitch at both ends of the tie. In addition, make sure the tie does not have any loose threads.
Choose a tie that has a proper width. 3 1/4 ” is the ideal width for most men but men who are broader are advised to add a little extra width to keep things proportional like 3 3/4 “. Similarly, very slender men can go down to about 2 3/4? without looking like they’re wearing a “skinny tie.”
Finding the right necktie would add flair to your ensemble and contrast with your shirt. To make your look simple and timeless you can go for solid colors, dark colors for any occasion, and lively colors who have their own appeal can be styled to your liking. Steer away from any garish patterned ties and keep things subtle and simple.
If your tie is dirtied, ensure that you properly take care of it by gently dabbing the stain with a damp cloth. Simply hang the tie up to get rid of wrinkles.
Laslt, if you need to use the tie for a particular outfit, bring the suit jacket and shirt. Try it out to test if the pattern, texture, and color matches.