How to Wear a Tie: Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tie

Adding a tie to your outfit can have numerous benefits, whether you don a bowtie or a necktie. Depending on the dress code of the occasion (like a formal event), wearing a tie may be a requirement. Outside of that, however, wisely chosen neckwear can add color or texture to your outfit. In a more serious or professional setting (like a job interview), a tie can signal to others that you take pride in your appearance.

Different occasions require different types of ties. There are numerous criteria to consider when choosing the best tie for your look:

1. 1. Tie color: Black ties risk looking too severe in many instances, so it’s best to reserve them for formal or somber occasions. Otherwise, try to highlight just one bold color in your outfit, whether that’s your tie, shirt, or suit. It’s acceptable to wear a tie in the same color family as your shirt as long as it’s significantly darker. For example, pairing a navy tie with a blue shirt is fine as long as the shirt is a lighter shade of blue.
2. 2. Tie material: Matte, textured ties tend to read as more casual, while smooth, shiny ties tend to read as more formal. For example, cotton, linen, and wool are great options for more casual events, but a satin or silk tie is better for a formal occasion.
3. 3. Tie pattern: A patterned tie, whether it’s paisley, polka-dot, or plaid, can add dimension to your outfit, provided it agrees with the rest of what you’re wearing. A good rule to follow is to wear only one loud element. In other words, a patterned tie could go with a patterned shirt as long as the shirt pattern is subtle, but a patterned tie with a patterned shirt and a patterned jacket may overwhelm your look. (If you’re unsure, opt for a solid color.) Avoid matching the pattern of your tie to your pocket square—aim for a complementary look instead of a perfect match.
4. 4. Tie width: The width of your tie should roughly match the width of the lapels on your blazer or suit jacket. Otherwise, wide ties can make your frame appear slighter. Conversely, skinny ties can make you appear wider. Check out Tan France’s tips on dressing for your proportions.

Follow these tips to feel more confident the next time you put on a tie:

• Fit: Your tie should just about hit your belt buckle and sit flat against the placket of your shirt. Your shirt collar, tie, and lapel should be roughly the same width.
• Formality: A textured tie, such as a knit tie, with a more everyday shirt fabric (for example, chambray) is generally appropriate for a more casual look. For formal occasions, opt for a dress shirt with a smoother tie. Simpler, subtler choices—such as plain shirts and solid ties—are better for professional or smart-casual settings.
• Knot choice: Different occasions call for different knots. As a rule of thumb, the formality of classic tie knots from formal to casual goes full Windsor knot to half Windsor knot to four-in-hand knot. (A clip-on is not appropriate for formalwear.) The best way to learn how to knot a tie is to have someone show you how; the second-best is to watch videos and practice in front of a mirror.
• Visibility: When wearing a button-down shirt, be sure to button the ends of your collar over your tie to disguise it. It’s okay to unbutton the top button of your shirt collar as long as it doesn’t look too messy.

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