Ties

There’s probably nothing better than a suit for looking and feeling confident and powerful, but to really stand out you’ve got to take care of the details as well. Amongst the many little details people pay attention to, a well-chosen necktie is the first one to catch their eye. A tie represents not only the personality of the wearer – when paired perfectly and tied correctly it also demonstrates a more professional image.

The first question a gentleman should ask regarding a few prospective choices in neckties would have to be quality. A good tie is of woven silk, not printed – this mistake is easy enough to make but anyone familiar with quality neckwear can spot the difference easily. Polyester ties should be avoided at all costs, as they do not tie particularly well and also tend to wrinkle easily and permanently. A woven silk tie usually has a distinct and appreciable texture that may or may not change depending on the pattern, a printed silk tie is simply a flat piece of silk that has a colour design seemingly “laid” (printed) on top of it. It will feel flat and smooth, though lower quality printed ties may feel or look a bit grainy. Beware, however, as some woven ties are also smooth to the touch.

The next question is color coordination. Your tie will have at least a base color, i.e. the predominant color of the tie, and if its patterned will also have accent colors. A rule of thumb is that the base color should either match or complement the base color of the accompanying shirt with accent colors complimenting the color of the suit.

On the other hand, if you are going for a more bold look, a great technique is to match the accent color instead of the base color with the shirt. This creates a lot of contrast and can really give you a stand out look.

The final question when selecting a tie concerns patterning. The most common patterns available are striped, paisley, or geometric patterned. The most common and popular design would easily be striped ties. Striped ties offer a very obvious advantage – they are often either multi-hued in a single primary colour, or they offer several different accent colours with an array of stripes that allow for versatility when co-ordinating with shirts and suits. Often, striped ties are a safe and striking choice because they not only provide a degree of contrast within the tie itself, but they are useful in pulling the entire ensemble together in a more cohesive fashion.

Paisley ties are also becoming much more popular in recent years after a bout of unpopularity during the ’90s, and are now featured heavily in both designer collections and in menswear magazines such as Canada’s Harry, by reknowned Canadian menswear mogul Harry Rosen.

Finally, geometrically patterned ties are also quite common if sometimes regarded as dated – they are by nature far more conservative (excepting the obvious and aforementioned neon varieties) and are more commonly associated with more mature gentlemen. This distinction had also previously been given to paisley patterned ties as well, however in recent years the paisley patterning has seen a remarkable return to high-end style and popularity.

In closing, it must always be remembered that the tie must ultimately suit the gentleman, his wardrobe, and his personality. Colour, pattern, and construction are all equally important in providing neckwear that speaks volumes about the wearer. Consideration of base colours, accent colours, and complimentary hues and shades is an absolute must when deciding on a particular piece. Keep these things in mind, and you will be one step closer to achieving that perfect image!