Sample Results

Description:

The most versatile spot tie is the pin (fine) dot. Avoid coordinating spot ties with pin stripe, herringbone, plaid or heavily textured suits or shirts and do not team with casual shirts. Classification: Business, Business Casual.

Traci

Ties for Sample

Ties are one of the least expensive and most effective ways to add individuality and fashion flair to your business wardrobe. For a tie to sit well it needs to have excellent fabric and construction. Inexpensive ties often have poor quality lining which may shrink when laundered; this is one of the reasons that a tie will twist when worn. Silk is the most popular and best choice for ties because it holds its shape; silk is both lightweight and durable. Polyester blends also hold their shape, but don't take dye as well as natural fabrics, and often look cheap. Silk reflects a beautiful sheen, while polyester is shiny and cheap looking. With cotton ties, excessive wrinkling can be a problem. Expect to pay at least $50 to $150 for a good tie.

Finally, the width of the tie and jacket should match. Wide lapels call for wide ties and narrow lapels call for narrow tie. To check, place the widest part of your tie against the wides part of the lapel, if they are the same you have compatible pieces.

As a general rule, limit patterned items to two per outfit. If jacket and tie are both patterned, opt for a solid shirt. Do not launder your own tie, leave any stain removal to the experts. See Coordination for more tie information.

The finer and more conservative the tie pattern, the more suitable it will be for formal and professional occasions.

Ties

The tie worn today has changed little over the last century.

While fashion can change the width of ties from time to time the classic width 8.25cm (3 ¼ inches) are always in style, as are the classic patterns, pin dot, paisley and foulard. Ties need to be in proportion with the style of shirt collar worn and the width of the jacket's lapel. Many men do not realize the significance of the relationship between the size of the jacket lapel and the width of the tie and end up with a slightly odd look when the two are not in sync. The tie should also be tied
using a knot that is in proportion with the style of collar. A tie knot should never be so large that it causes the collar to spread apart, the points lift off the shirt, nor be so small that the tie becomes lost.

Ties serve as the quintessential accessory to any man's wardrobe. Not only can they be used to advertise your personality, they are also perfect for making a plain shirt look different every day. However, there are limitations when it comes to the appropriateness and image of some tie patterns and fabrics. On pages 45,66 and 75 you will find information on the coordination and image of ties.

The length of the tie is also of vital importance; an overly long tie makes the wearer look lanky, and a tie that sits above the belt screams ineptitude. The tip of the tie should sit within the width of the belt buckle, maybe a tad longer, but NEVER shorter.

The best ties are made of high quality silk. A tie made from a lesser grade of silk will feel rough to touch and may even have imperfections in the weave or colour. Polyester ties never tie well and always end up as a thick ugly knot. High quality cotton ties are best worn with casual wear. Superior quality ties are cut on the bias (diagonally across the fabric) and are also lined with superior grade linings. This ensures that they fall straight without curling. In less expensive ties, the manufacturer uses a poorer quality lining to cut costs. This becomes evident on the first laundering, when the tie no longer wants to fall straight but instead curls toward the body every time you move.

To complete your presentation and to show you're a man who understands style, finish by adding a dimple to the tie.

Tie bars and tie tacks are used to secure the tie to the shirt to prevent it flapping about. Tie bars are best as they do not damage the tie. Place the tie bar between the third and fourth buttons and coordinate it to your belt buckle, watch and other metallic accessories.