“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” Few sentences evoke warm, wonderful weather quite like those words by the American philosopher and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. For many of us, the onset of spring and the coming of summer is a welcome relief from the depths of winter.

This is the second part of our series which posed the question: which tie should I wear in what season? Our focus here will be on the warmer seasons of spring and summer, a follow-up to the article we did on what ties to wear in autumn/fall and winter.

As we did in that first article, we’ll again concentrate on two important factors that should help in your choice of necktie or bow tie for spring and summer – fabrics and colours.

The ‘Spring-Is-In-The-Air’ Tie

Spring can be a wonderful season, full of hope and the promise of better weather. As the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke put it, “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”

However, spring weather can also be unpredictable, even annoyingly so. As the inimitable Mark Twain said: “In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

Somehow, your choice of ties for springtime needs to reflect both the sense of renewal and versatility that the season demands.

Spring Fabrics

The weather may be wet and unpredictable at times, but spring does mean warmer temperatures. As such, fabrics need to be lighter and breathe easier. Cotton, the world’s favourite fabric and granddaddy of them all, becomes more prominent, as do other fabric choices such as rayon and linen.

Spring is also possibly the very best time of the year to wear denim, especially jeans. In hot weather, wearing jeans can be way a little uncomfortable, whilst offering little to no warmth in the depths of winter. But the milder weather of spring can make wearing denim a real treat.

Spring Colours

One tends to think of brighter colours for spring, such as sunshine yellow, bright green and bubblegum pink, as well as lighter hues of blue. Turquoise comes to mind too! One can think of a fresh spring garden, with its light and clear colours.

White also becomes more prominent in spring, as do lighter earth tones such as beige, tan, cream and ivory. Pastel tones also become easier to wear, especially those in hues of green, blue or pink.

Your ties for springtime can reflect the brighter colours that pop or the pastel hues that blend with your chosen outfit. As with garments, the best fabrics for springtime ties are lighter ones such as cotton, linen and lightweight silk. Cotton blend ties are a great bet too, offering a more polished look. All of these will look superb with suits and blazers in cotton or linen blends.

One can have more fun with ties in spring, so be more daring and opt for neckties with bold patterns or even larger polka dots. Spring is also a time for more weddings, so invest in a good bow tie in a single bold colour or a more quirky design.

Glorious Summer Ties

“I love summertime more than anything else in the world. That is the only thing that gets me through the winter, knowing that summer is going to be there.” -Jack McBrayer, American actor and comedian.

There are people who love cool or even cold weather the most, but many of us would agree with McBrayer’s sentiments about summer!

Summer Fabrics

Hot weather requires fabrics that are lightweight and that breathe. In humid climates, moisture-wicking fabrics are also the best option. The focus should be on natural fibres, such as 100% cotton. Linen is another excellent fabric for summer, one that is a classic choice in menswear. These fabrics allow maximum airflow and they also help absorb sweat to keep you dry.

Pure silk can also be an excellent and cool (in terms of both temperature regulation and how they look!) fabric. Somewhat similar in look to silk is rayon, which is not as luxurious and is a manmade fabric, but one that is surprisingly cool since it has very thin fibers. Chambray is also referred to as ‘imitation denim’ but it’s lighter and thus cooler to wear in summer.

Summer Colours

The list of summer colours is positively endless! Colours look glorious with all that sunshine and brightness. This can include anything from bright, bold colours to the lightest of pastels. For example, in tones of green one can opt for mint green or bright emerald, whilst in tones of blue one can use anything from baby blue to cerulean or turquoise blue.

White is of course synonymous with summer, not only when contrasted with other colours but also when all-white. Lighter hues of beige, oatmeal and cream can also look terrific in summer, especially when paired with, yes, white. These are also shades that look especially good in cotton and linen fabrics.

Your choice of summer ties in terms of colour is huge, so don’t be afraid to take chances! Just remember to stick to neckties made with good-quality cotton or linen or blends. Only opt for the lightest of silk in your summer ties, as heavier silks, such as shantung, can look a little overbearing in summer. Summer weddings are also a big thing, so be playful with your wedding tie or bow tie options.

To conclude, knowing exactly what tie to wear when can be one of the most challenging decisions for any man who wants to dress well. However, don’t be a ‘prisoner’ to your seasonal tie choices and be daring, why don’t you!

And remember these words by writer Maree Dee: “If you stay stuck in the past season or fixated on the future season, you will miss the one you’re in.” Too right!