HOW TO MATCH YOUR NECKTIE

How do you select the right tie?

An enormous amount of information on fashion is provided in magazines on websites and not least private fashion blogs. It is an interesting phenomenon but fashion really is not always synonymous with beauty, tastefulness or elegance. Always remember, fashion should be fun and can serve as an inspiration. With a relaxed attitude you will be ok!

At first we can establish that everything is possible when you want to look good! Anyone can follow the trends but it takes a true sense of style to do something exciting of the old classics. What is considered good here however is obviously a question of personal style. Personal style is something that is independent of current trends and fashion. It is also independent of whether you are a slim Jim or a muscle man. It is important to find a style that reinforces your strengths and helps you to convey your personality. When you are "dressed" it is important that you feel comfortable no matter what situation you are in. For men the tie is one of the few opportunities to decorate your self and feel stylishly dressed. In the end it is still your own style that is to be highlighted! Combining colour and pattern is far from an easy task. Devotion feels important and do not forget that fashion should be fun! There are many guidelines and rules that can be helpful but unfortunately also inhibits your creativity.

When choosing the right tie to match the clothing it is more important to match the pattern than the colours. Plain shirts fit better with patterned ties and vice versa. Generally, most neckties fit any monochrome shirt.

Some simple guidelines for harmony

• You can have a striped shirt with a striped tie as long as the stripes are not of the same width. Similar can be said to apply to the checked tie / shirt.
• Ensure that at least one colour of the tie matches either the jacket, shirt, belt or shoes.
• Avoid wearing a striped tie with both a striped jacket and a striped shirt. To match three similar patterns together is rarely a successful combination.


How do you best match your tie with a patterned suit?

If the suits and jackets are patterned all monochrome neckties are very practical. Many people prefer those that have little structure. Easiest when to choose a monochrome tie is to emanate from the pattern of the jacket. For a grey suit which has a discrete grid of blue and red is usually a monochrome blue or red tie to be recommended although it is a simple combination but never the less appealing. Every man shall in all cases have two monochrome neckties in his wardrobe.

One must also have some striped ties or the regimental neckties as they are also known. A favourite is red with black stripes. It is perfectly matched with a light blue shirt or a pinstriped suit. But even to a blazer and gray trousers it looks good. In the long term it may be suitable to have about 10 pieces of striped neckties to switch between.

Neckties with other patterns than stripes requires more sensitivity when it comes to combining them with other clothes. But these ties also gives you more space for your own personal creativity to show. The vast majority of patterned neckties make themselves nicely with white or black shirt and dark suit.

How do you best match your tie with a monochrome costume?

Blue suit

A quiet base with navy jacket and trousers allows brown leather shoes and belt as trendsetting accessories. Purple is also a very grateful colour combination. Suitable as well for the brown and gray as blue. A blue tie is also always associated with a blue suit, but it should be lighter or darker than the suit. A silver tie against the blue is very convenient and also elegant are contrasting shades of yellow, brown or red. However it is important that it is bright colours.

Green suit
Green suit is best matched with a brown tie. Yellow can give a fresh appearance. Red can work, but be careful some red shades cut themselves properly in relation to the green.

Gray or black suit
You can use almost any colour with a gray suit (preferably not gray). A tip is to wear clean, bright colours, not to give a sad impression. It should also be a clear contrast between the shade of the tie and suit. A light suit requires a darker tie and vice versa.

Brown or beige suit
Brown suit requires strong colours because brown is a very saturated colour. Blue, green and deep red is to be recommended. Beige suits works fine with the same colour as a brown suit with just a little lighter shade.

Tone-in-tone
Combining a complete outfit of the same colour is not an easy task but it takes all the focus from your face. The key is to vary the colour and choose different materials. It would be perfectly possible to wear a purple tie to a purple shirt, but it can be recommended to have a shirt with a discreet brown neck edge to prevent that everything is perceived as a single unit. A tie in dark blue can be another solution.

Do you want to wear a black or white tie at the funeral?
A formal funeral with "dark clothing" means that the close male relatives, (to the nephew) shall be wearing white tie and white shirt. Other male guests wear a black tie.

Is a white tie only to be used at funerals? Is it a big no-no to use a white tie for everyday wear, for example with a black-white shirt?
If you follow the ancient rules it is absolutely not allowed to use a white tie unless it is a funeral, but nowadays it is just fine to wear a white tie outside funerals. Many people at restaurants, clubs and pubs are nowadays seen in black shirt and white tie, or vice versa. But there are still divided opinions on the subject. Some think it's really nice, while others do not really agree and believe that white tie only should be used for funeral. Although it looks attractive the associations still are too clear and it could very well destroy the occasion. But if the tie is combined with a striped shirt it should perhaps reduce the associations a little bit. Also to be considered is that there are different models of neckties. A thinner white tie does not give such a strong “funeral vibe” as a broader one. And why should you become compelled to refrain from really smart colours and combinations just because someone long ago decided that it should be associated with funerals and other boring gatherings.