In the past decade, I feel we’ve experienced a transition within men’s fashion. The transition I talk of is the progressive open-neckism movement, first formed in the professional workplace, which has since gradually trickled down into everyday life.
When Mark Zuckerberg came to the fore and made it perfectly OK to run a billion dollar organisation in a crew neck t-shirt, straight-fitting jeans and a pair of New Balance, the world took notice, and I feel we’ve experienced a decline in suits, and especially ties, ever since.
However, as a result of their slender demise, now is your time to shine. In the majority of cases, men gain confidence and feel more important when a neck-tie is donned, so here are some solid suggestions on how to wear one.
A few solid suggestions on wearing a tie...
Always
Be a Master of the dimple – It may seem like a minute detail but let me assure you, no detail is insignificant. It’s an essential feature of a well-tied tie. To achieve the perfect dimple, pinch the tie with your thumb and middle finger, then use your index finger to keep the dimple in place as you tighten.
Practice, be patient and persevere. It's definitely worth investing time and effort into nailing the knot, and before long you'll start to notice the abundance of scruffily tied ties out there.
Ensure it's at least one shade darker than your shirt – Top tip: a crisp white shirt is the perfect blank canvas for any tie.
Maintain proportions. This can be achieved by matching the width of your tie to the width of your lapels (slim for slim, wide for wide), which should already have been matched to your frame. Think of it like a sartorial Tetris.
Never
Get someone to pre-tie your tie and slip it over their head, for you to slide on. Laziness personified, and it’ll never look as good.
A clip-on? Fuck off.
Complain about your tie causing your shirt collar to be too tight. You’re the fool who didn’t know their own collar size, so you should put up with it. No tie looks as strong with the top button undone.
Never buy anything novelty, like a piano keys tie or one featuring Scooby Doo.
Use The Apprentice as Inspiration
Tie Knots You Should Know
The Windsor
An elegant knot that’s more symmetrical than most
Suitable for dressier affairs, however it can also look slick in the workplace
Best paired with a wide shirt collar, so get thinking about a cutaway, or wider button-down.
Like pulling a bridesmaid; tricky but well worth the work
The Half-Windsor
Probably the most valuable knot to master, as it's suitable for all occasions
It’s smaller than the Windsor (clue in the name) meaning it can be paired with a wider range of collars, such as the button-down, forward point or spread – the world is your oyster. ·
Also a common go-to in the workplace
Like the one local DJ in a small town, it’s available for weddings, parties and most formal affairs.
The Four-in-Hand
Very easy to tie, which is one of the main reasons why it’s popular
Suitable in the workplace, however if you’re attending a more formal affair, take the time and effort to nail one of the above knots
Pairs well with most collar, but due to its smaller size, the button down or Oxford collar goes particularly well with this option
Like the workhorse at 7-aside; not the most easy on the eye but does their job well.
The Kelvin
A medium sized knot, which is perfect for both normal and spread collar shirts
Similar to the four-in-hand but with an extra turn to make it symmetrical
It’s particularly preferable for thinner fabrics.
Bit of trivia – named after Lord Kelvin who made significant contributions to the knot theory
Like a good homemade cocktail; most of the time you can't be bothered, but when you nail it, it's thoroughly rewarding
Drop me a line if there are any other specifics you'd like me to touch on!
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