Just about every man has to wear a tie at some point in his life, even if his typical uniform for work is jeans and a polo shirt. Weddings, funerals, proms, family reunions and other special events require that men wear the best they have in their closets, which usually includes ties. Rather than avoiding the subject entirely, it helps if you learn all you can about men's ties, thus preparing yourself for these occasions.
Selecting Ties
It is usually a good idea for men to have at least a small selection of ties from which to choose, especially since different colors work better for different situations. You might wear the Tweety Bird tie your daughter gave you for Christmas on Casual Friday, but it would be inappropriate at your Aunt Edna's funeral. You also want to make sure the tie matches your outfit. You wouldn't want to wear a black tie with a navy suit. Also, if you go for a patterned tie, make sure that the pattern on the tie doesn't clash with any pattern on your shirt, even if it is subtle. You don't want to look like a television set that is losing its signal.
Start at your local department store, and take inventory of their tie selection. Which ties jump out at you, and which would you never wear in a million years? Some men prefer stripes, while others like solid colors or motifs. You're not going to find a right answer-it all depends on your sense of style.
Colors, of course, are something that men consider most when selecting ties for their wardrobes. In reality, colors don't matter as much as the way you incorporate them with your suits, but it is a good idea to have an array of shades.
For example, you would generally wear black or maroon to a funeral, while black or navy are appropriate for weddings. At work, you can feel free to experiment with different colors, but make sure they complement your skin tone. A silver tie might be fashion-forward, but silver won't work if you look best in warm shades, like brown.
Storing Ties
Once you've selected an assortment of ties, you'll need a place to store them at home. You might be tempted to stuff them in the dresser drawer next to your socks, but a wrinkled tie doesn't make a good impression. Instead, you can use a tie rack in your closet, or a simple coat hanger will suffice. Regardless, they should be stored as flat as possible, with no wrinkles in the top.
If you do happen to toss your ties on the floor or in a drawer, hang the tie in the bathroom while you take a shower-the steam will help straighten it out. This works especially well with silk ties, which wrinkle more easily than other fabrics.
Tying Ties
You'd be surprised to discover how many men make it to their late 30s without ever learning how to tie a tie properly. Their wives or girlfriends might do it for them, or they resort to the ever-friendly clip-on instead. However, you will feel much more confident in your formal appearance if you know how to put on ties yourself.
1. Drape the tie around your neck, with the wide end 4 to 5 inches longer than the narrow end. Cross the two ends across your chest, with the wider end on top.
2. Slip the wider end back up through the V at your neck, and then pull it down in front of the narrow end again.
3. Pull the wider end back up underneath the narrow end, pulling it toward your right, and then bring it back to the left.
4. Repeat the first step by bringing the wider end up through the V at your neck, and then slip it through the knot underneath.
5. Tighten the tie carefully, making sure you don't cinch the knot too quickly. Otherwise, you'll wind up with an uneven tie.
This standard method of tying ties is called the "Windsor Method" and is used most frequently in the United States. Abroad, you might find other knots to be common, such as Pratt, but you'll be just fine with a Windsor knot.
Additionally, it is important that the tie doesn't appear too short or too long. For example, the tip of the wider strand should drape down to your belt level, or just above. Men who are slightly overweight might want to wear their ties a bit longer for a slimming effect, while taller men with lanky bodies can get away with shorter lengths.
The tie itself should drape down right against the buttons of your shirt without leaning to either the left or the right side. The collar of your shirt should fall over the tie without it being visible at the neck, and you shouldn't have any lumps in the neck whatsoever.
Removing Ties
At the end of the day, when you're ready to jump back into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, don't just rip off your tie and toss it aside. Your ties will last much longer if you take care of them from beginning to end, so remove a tie by reversing the steps for tying a tie. This preserves the tie's natural shape and keeps it from getting stretched out.
In the end, most men feel more confident and secure when they know how to handle ties, even if they only wear them once in a blue moon. Take the time to learn how to tie a tie and how to care for your ties, and your professional and personal life will thank you.
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