Three tips to help you buy the perfect tie

Looking for the perfect tie to buy your partner (or yourself!) for an event, or even a gift? Here are three tips to help you choose one.

As there are so many qualities of ties and neckties available, finding the right one can be tough. Men’s ties come in a wide range of colors, designs, fabrics, and cuts.

And, while personal taste should be the key deciding factor when buying a tie, there are some basic principles you need to bear in mind. Here are three tips to help you choose the perfect tie.

1) Choose the right length to width ratio

The first thing that you need to consider is the proportion of the necktie. As a general rule, the right tie for any wearer is one that is proportional to their size and body structure. You also need to consider the size of the lapels on the suit jacket when thinking about width.

As a rule, bigger men suit standard ties of width ranging from 3.5 to 4 inches. Thin or average shaped people look great in middle width with narrow cut ranging from 2.5- 3 inches wide. Or you can go for skinny ties under 2 inches wide – these are best for people with a smaller build.

It doesn’t matter what width your tie is, the bottom tip should always be in level with the top of your belt buckle. 

2) Pick the best color

Once you’ve sorted the proportion, the next thing to consider is the color. While this will depend on your personal taste, there are a few colors which stand out.

Some events will define a color palette beforehand. For example, they might call for you to wear black ties only. Likewise, there are some colors that suit professional meetings. Blue ties signal professionalism and confidence, and are ideal for dates or a formal meeting.

Red ties, meanwhile, help you to stand out from the crowd and show authority. If you’re going on a casual event, you can experiment with new colors and see what looks best on you. 

3) Find the perfect pattern

The last thing you should consider is the pattern. There are numerous tips we could share regarding choosing the right pattern, but it’s always a good idea to choose a pattern that isn’t present anywhere else in your outfit.

For example, if you are wearing a striped shirt, then choose a dotted or a simple tie. If you can’t decide on a pattern, you can always go for a solid colored tie, or a semi-patterned one, as they are far easier to match with shirts and create less chance for a disastrous matching. 

Photo by Artem Ivanchencko