Do you want to look stylish, fashionable and yet elegant and appropriate? Then have a collection of ties! There are 5 rules when it comes to your tie…
Man’s wardrobe must look boring in comparison with a closet of a woman. In a way men are limited to suits, shirts and ties which make their everyday business look pretty boring. Yet, some men crave to stand out of the crowd of look-alike executives and want to add a personal twist to the business outfit. Experiments may be fun, but might also lead to disasters.
5 rules to match a tie
The rules for a good match of the suit, shirt and ties are simple:
1. The more formal the occasion, the more conservative the outfit
For formal occasions decide for a white shirt and plain, one color tie. The more authority you want to command the less fancy your clothing should be. That’s the reason for a classic, elegant look – no pattern, high contrast, two color formal wear.
For a more relaxed look or informal business meeting opt for the pastel color shirt (ivory, blue or pink) with colorful tie that compliments the color of the shirt or suit. If in any doubt, choose a ‘save option’ – white shirt. It goes well with any suit and tie and always looks appropriate.
2. The wider the collar – the bigger the knot
Choose the tie that works best with shirt collar. If the collar is wide spread, compliment it with a thick full knot or a single knot of a thick woollen tie. If the collar wings are narrow, choose a thinner fabric tie like silk and go for smaller knot.
3. The tie should be darker than a shirt
Black shirt and white tie? This surely will make you memorable but not necessarily in the right way. For a classic business look always choose a light color shirt and dark, contrasting or matching tie. If you like monochromatic look, then go for a plain tie a shade darker than the color of the shirt.
4. The stripes on the shirt and tie need to oppose each other
If you want to play with stripes please remember this rule. The wider the stripes on one item, the narrower the should be on the other. This will ensure appropriate balance and the final effect will be elegant and not overwhelming.
5. Tie width should match the width of the suit lapels
This is all about proportion… If you want to wear skinny tie, you need to wear it with a suit jacket with narrow lapels. Wider lapels require a wider tie.
I always encourage my clients to experiment. Once you gain the confidence to coordinate your wardrobe according to the rules, you may want to break them from time to time, as long as the occasion is appropriate for a bit of a show off. Whatever you do please remember that the final look should always enhance your personal style and elevate your image.
