How do I determine a good shirt and tie match?
Your shoes may not match your belt, your shirt may not be the ideal match for your trousers, but the pair of
clothing items that definitely needs to be compatible is the shirt and tie. Being so close to each other, a matching shirt and tie makes for an unbeatable combination. The shirt-tie matching is
not restricted to only the color or the design, but also the material used. Thus, if you are wearing a silk shirt, it would make sense to wear either a silk or satin tie. This would result in a
uniform glossy look. The colors of the tie and the shirt should also display a pleasant match. However, nowadays, with the funky fashions in vogue, the match could have multiple connotations.
Some people have a habit of wearing loud ties with relatively staid shirts. While this practice may not be a generally approved trend, it is accepted in some social
circles.
Considering the fact that there would be several shirts with varied colors and designs, it makes sense to also
invest in a varied choice of ties. Doing so will ensure that you are not left ‘high and dry’ just before an outing without a tie to match your shirt. Black and white ties are the
safest bet as these shades match almost any shirt.
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How do the length and width of the tie relate to each other?
In a strict sense, there is no hard and fast relation between the tie’s length and its width. As far as
the length of the tie is concerned, it should be just about level with the wearer’s belt. This length is a benchmark as it is not considered too long or too short. The width of the tie on
the other hand is entirely up to the discretion of the user and also dependent on the fashion trends persisting at a particular time and place. Most personality advisors recommend that stocky
individuals wear narrow ties as this gives them a slimmer look. Contrary to any correlation with the length of the tie, the width of the tie is actually proportional to the breath of the
coat’s lapels (if the user happens to be wearing one).
Intending to buy a tie and are confused about what width to opt for? We would suggest 3.5 inches as a safe
bet. This width is the most versatile and suits people of varying heights and build. Time tested research has also shown that this width is compatible with most coat designs and also has the
least chance of going out of style. While not exactly being related to the width of the tie, the length of the tie should be large enough for the knot to be comfortably tied with a sufficient
amount of tie length being left spare for loosening the tie during removal and wearing.
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How do I pick a tie to wear with a patterned shirt?
Coupled with a patterned shirt, the ideal choice would be a patterned tie, rather than a plain one. Most
experts suggest using a tie which has a different pattern from that of the shirt. An example would be wearing a shirt with stripes or checks and a tie with dots. In such cases, the user should
ensure that the size of the patterns on the respective clothing items should be approximately of the same size. This rule is exactly the opposite in cases where the pattern on both the shirt and
the tie is the same. The pattern on the shirt should be differently sized as compared to that of the tie. This is a must, because if the pattern size is the same for both the shirt and the
tie, the viewer will not know where the shirt ends and the tie begins. In all clothing, contrast is the essence of style and variations in the shirt-tie patterns satisfies this adage.
Alternatively, some people prefer to use a plain tie with a patterned shirt. This renders the outfit just the
right amount of variance. A point to be kept in mind is that the color of the tie should complement the main color of the shirt.
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When and how to wear a tie with a tuxedo?
A tuxedo is said to be the ultimate in fashion and sophistication and it goes without saying that the other
clothing items should live up to the reputation created by this unique formal outfit. A rule of thumb says that you can safely wear any tie that is considered suitable for a black tie dinner with
a tuxedo. While ties of almost any color can be worn with tuxedos, the best patterns include plaid and paisley designs. While sporting a relatively vibrant look, these ties also exude
professionalism. Most fashion aficionados recommend that the wearer use a tie that matches as well as complements his shirt and pocket square.
If you intend wearing a cummerbund along with your tuxedo, you should preferably make sure that your tie shape
and color tone matches that of the cummerbund. Some style advisors recommend wearing a 4-in-hand tuxedo tie. A cravat would be another good idea coupled with a tuxedo, giving the user an
unbeatable polished look. Tuxedo bow ties in satin and embellished with filigree work form a neat alternative to all other ties.
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Do ties go well with short sleeves shirts?
Always though a tie would be too ostentatious with a regular short sleeves shirt? Think again. Wearing a tie
with a short sleeved shirt is not only a good idea but is also a common practice in most workplaces. However, there are a group of people who strongly oppose wearing of ties with these kinds of
shirts. In their opinion, short sleeves shirts are authentic casual wear and should not be coupled with the icon of formal fashion – the tie. This rule came to be eventually broken by those
working in organizations where wearing a tie was made mandatory. During the summer months, most male employees preferred wearing short sleeves shirts retaining the tie usage.
Even with a short sleeves shirt, a tie could look equally classy. The same rules applicable to wearing ties
with long sleeves shirts are also valid for short sleeves shirts.
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How to fashion a Dimple for your tie?
As any tie aficionado will agree, the most difficult to maintain and most intricately stylish part of a tie is
the dimple. The dimple is the crease or fold in the material of the tie just below the knot. This exudes an artistic appeal and takes some effort to be made perfect. It is a globally accepted
fact that the knot of a tie says a lot about the personality of the wearer. A neatly created knot stands for efficiency and neatness, while a lopsided, loosely fitted knot represents indiscipline
and sloppiness. A well-balanced dimple states that you are a person who takes pains to maintain his appeal.
In order to achieve the perfect dimple, it is necessary to concentrate on the process before the tie actually
passes through the knot. If done at this stage itself, the fold is maintained right through its passage through the knot and is fixed tightly when the knot is tautened.
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How to dress down a tie?
While a tie is the epitome of sophistication and poise, there are certain instances when the user actually
needs to curb the flamboyance of this well-seen clothing accessory. Though the tie is meant to embellish the overall personality of the individual, it is should also match the occasion and the
outfit being worn. One of the best ways of dressing down a tie would be to change the fabric from a glossy material like silk or satin to a more staid material such as cotton, linen, or
polyester. Another way of playing down the tie is to choose plain colors over flashy designs. Generally, a narrower tie is considered more sedate than a broader one. You could also loosely draw
the tie towards the neck without actually reaching the top button. With the top button open, the user is given a relatively casual downbeat look.
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Is it possible to carry off a tie with jeans?
Wearing ties with jeans can
be a highly debatable topic. The tie is considered to be the icon of formal attire; on the other hand, jeans are the symbol of a casual and carefree way of life. In order to carry off jeans with
a tie, the user has to exude a certain attitude and flair. When done in just the right way, the tie-jeans combination can be very interesting indeed. In this case, the tie need not match the
jeans. As with other outfits, the tie should preferably match the shirt. With jeans, the user need not worry about the style of the tie; the funkier the design the better. However, please do not
wear and overtly formal tie with jeans as this could make for an incongruous match. Also, you need not need worry about getting a neat knot, or dragging the tie right to the top button, or even
buttoning the top button for that matter.
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