Men's Ties Guide: Colors, Knots and Which Tie to Wear for Every Occasion

A tie is the smallest part of a suit and the part people notice first. The right one makes a simple outfit look finished, and the wrong one pulls the whole look off balance. Here is how to choose colors, knots and the right tie for each occasion.

Start With the Shirt, Then the Suit

Pick the tie last. As a rule, the tie should be darker than the shirt and either tonal or contrasting with the suit, but never an exact match to the suit. A white or light blue shirt is the easiest base for any color.

Color Pairings That Work

• Navy suit: Royal Blue or Petrol Blue for a tonal look, or Coffee for a warm contrast.
• Charcoal or grey suit: Black, Purple or Petrol Blue.
• Beige or light suit: Navy or Brown.
• Black suit or tuxedo: Black, or a Black Satin Bow Tie.
• Soft, tonal looks: the Beige Solid Tie works with brown and sand tones.

Width and Length

A tie around 7 cm wide suits most jackets and collars. When it is tied, the tip should reach your belt buckle: not above it, and not hanging below it. If you are tall, look for a longer tie.

Three Knots Worth Learning

• Four-in-hand: quick and slightly asymmetric. Good for every day and for narrower collars.
• Half-Windsor: balanced and neat. The best choice for the office and for weddings.
• Windsor: wide and symmetric. Use it with spread collars and formal suits.

The Right Tie for Each Occasion

• Job interview: a solid navy, black or dark blue tie. Keep it simple.
• Office: solid colors in blue, grey or brown. A small texture adds interest without noise.
• Wedding guest: a color that complements the suit, such as petrol blue or purple. Avoid pure white.
• Groom: a black bow tie with a tuxedo, or a solid tie with a suit for the engagement and katb ketab.
• A gift: a solid navy or black tie goes with almost any wardrobe.

Looking After Your Tie

Undo the knot after you wear it instead of pulling the tie over your head, and let it hang or roll it loosely. Avoid heavy ironing, which flattens the finish.

Browse all Ties, add Cufflinks & Brooches, or pair your tie with a Classic Shirt.

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