How to Style a Necktie Without Overthinking It

How to Style a Necktie Without Overthinking It

There are plenty of rules about wearing a necktie, but most outfits don't require memorizing an entire menswear handbook.

Getting the length right and choosing colors and patterns that work well together will take you pretty far. From there, a few simple details can help everything look intentional without making it overly complicated.

Let one pattern do most of the work

A solid shirt gives a colorful printed necktie room to stand out without making the outfit feel too busy.

Mixing patterns can work too, but it helps if one of them is subtle. The colors should also have some connection, whether you're coordinating the tie with the shirt, the suit, or both.

An aloha shirt already brings plenty of pattern, so a solid tie is usually the better pairing there.

Get the length right

Of all the traditional tie rules, length is one that's worth paying attention to.

The bottom of the tie should generally fall somewhere between about an inch above the top of the belt and the top of the belt itself. Going noticeably shorter or longer can throw off the proportions of the person wearing it. For example, a tie extending below the belt can make a shorter person appear even shorter.

Your height and proportions affect how a tie sits on you, so it's less about achieving one exact measurement and more about making sure the finished length works with your body.

Choose the width you actually like

Skinny versus standard ties mostly comes down to personal preference. They create different looks, but there isn't one that's automatically the right choice for a particular occasion.

The knot is a little more dependent on the shirt. A Half-Windsor is a solid standard option, while a wider collar generally looks better with a fuller knot that fills the space.

There's also no need to get overly elaborate with it. A simple knot done well usually looks better than a complicated knot that's mostly there to be noticed.

Coordinate your pocket square instead of matching it

Your pocket square and tie don't need to be made from the same print.

Instead, look for colors that complement each other or pick up similar shades. Different prints can work together perfectly well when there's something visually connecting them.

Matching every accessory exactly can quickly cross over from coordinated to looking like everything came together in a JCPenney box set.

Finish it with a tie bar

A tie bar is a small detail, but it can make the whole outfit feel more finished. It also has the practical benefit of keeping your tie where it's supposed to be.

Beyond that, necktie styling doesn't need to be particularly complicated. Make sure the length looks right, pay attention to how your colors and patterns work together, and choose a knot that suits the collar.

The goal isn't to follow as many tie rules as possible. It's for everything to look like it belongs together.

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