Do You Know How To Match Ties to Your Outfits?

Section: Neckties, Bowties, and Pocket Squares - Blog

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Do you realize the importance of shirt collar style, necktie length, and coordinating other accessories when matching ties? Here's the essential information you need to pair up your ties perfectly every time.

Matching ties to your other items of clothing is a skill that improves with time and practice. Many factors must work in harmony to create attractive ensembles.

Adding to the conundrum is the fact your personal taste and preferences probably change with time, so you'll have to refine your selection criteria.

For our purposes here, we’ll talk about the effect of the following on the ties you choose to wear:

• Tie knot styles and their relation to collar styles
• Necktie length
• Wearing ties with vests
• Specialty ties
• Pocket squares

Tie Knot Styles

The tie knot style plays a significant role when you wear a business shirt with a spread collar or a narrow point collar. Since each of these have extreme angles, using a tie knot that fits the space afforded by the collar is imperative.

Bigger knots use larger portions of the tie material. Therefore, don't use knots that dwarfing the collar space. An example of what to avoid would be a tall man trying to tie a full Windsor knot or a proportional knot on regular length tie. There isn't enough fabric to tie an attractive knot. Regardless, no matter which tie knot style you choose, learn how to tie it properly.

Necktie Length

The length of most ties is 53 – 58 inches, so for an averages-sized man, this usually accommodates any tie knot whilst the tie ends at the belt buckle. Taller men should opt for ties longer than 60 inches, while shorter men will find it easier to to tie neckties that are 54 inches or less.

Wearing a Vest

Vests typically conceal most of your tie. However, this means a conservative dresser can wear a brightly-coloured tie without fearing his tailored suit would be overwhelmed by the tie's colour.

For example, a 3-piecenavy blue suitlooks dapper and fashion forward when paired with a red tie and complementary pocket square.

Wool and Woven Ties

Wool and woven ties are considered casual neckwear. Usually solid coloured, they come in a wide variety of weaves, fabrics and styles. The unique factor possessed by these ties is the texture. Match the rough weaves of these ties with smooth jacket fabrics for a distinguished look.

Pocket Squares

Choose your pocket squares after you select your tie because they should never match your neckwear exactly. Pair them so the pocket square complements the entire outfit but does not become the focal point of the ensemble.

Selecting ties, pocket squares or other accessories to mix and match with your suits and sports jackets doesn't have to be an unpleasant chore. If you'd like some expert advice to help you pull together a well-coordinated wardrobe, just pop by our Sydney showroom and talk to one of the men of Montagio Custom Tailoring. We'd love to help you design a customized signature look.

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