Oh Why Knot?

Back in October I posted my Small town Style Guide. To go along with that original post I would like to elaborate on perhaps the most essential aspect of men’s fashion…the neck tie.

I know what you’re thinking. And yes, there is more than one way to tie a knot around your neck. The first step is the most important. Walk to your closet right now. If you have any clip-on ties please throw them away right now. I’ll wait….. Unless you lost an arm in a rollerblading accident there is absolutely no reason that any grown man should wear a clip on tie. Don’t even walk past them in the store…(This includes bow ties. Unless you’re going to prom and have other things on your mind than your wardrobe there is no excuse to own a clip on bow tie.)

The biggest variance I see among tie wearers comes in the understanding of proper tie length. No matter the length (or girth) of your torso, the bottom of your neck tie should touch the top of your belt. With that being said it should be obvious that you should always wear a belt while wearing a tie. If you try several different knot styles and still can’t make it all the way to your belt you might need to wear extra long ties. This, like being a left-handed golfer, will prove to be a huge inconvenience in your life. Best of luck…

When selecting the color of your tie always remember that the tie should be darker in color and pattern than your shirt. The monochromatic look went out with Regis a few years ago…please don’t try to bring that back. If your shirt has a pattern, say a tattersall, then the tie should not over power the shirt. Don’t know what tattersall is…we have bigger problems.

When purchasing a neck tie always buy quality. There are certain retail stores that just don’t sell quality ties. A cheap tie will stand out like a cheap suit. Without quality material inside the tie, even the finest silk pattern will look bad. The standard width is, has been, and always will be 3.5 inches. Avoid buying anything wider (please), and while narrow ties might be okay for a younger generation of upward mobile yuppies they will not present the maturity and experience required in the professional world.

The most important part of the neck tie is the knot. The knot of the tie should be proportional to the collar of the shirt. Yes, Gentlemen, there is more than one style of shirt collar. There are in fact twelve common collar styles. That is another post for another time…

I will spare you the graphics of knot styles, but I encourage you to study them yourself and practice. But here is an example of the most common knot style – the four-in-hand knot. There is nothing more attractive and striking than a well dressed man. Do your best to look your best. Neck ties can be a struggle, but it is a struggle that you can overcome. Each tie will take a knot differently. But if you take the time and pride in selecting your tie and its knot you will learn to be a better man because of it.