Mens Ties

Why Ties Are The Perfect Accessory For Men’s Wardrobes

Since time immemorial, ties have earned the reputation of being every man’s go to choice for accessorizing their formal outfit. Of course, men have the option of enhancing their look with statement cufflinks, lapel pins, and even watches but somehow, there is nothing that beats a necktie. Finding the right necktie for men is key, it can completely alter a look, adding generous amounts of style and sophistication to the most simple of outfits. Ties are an essential albeit powerful sartorial tool because they can make or break a whole look.

The evolution of men’s ties

History suggests that ties have been around for centuries. They originated in the 17th Century during the 30 year war in France. They were adorned by Croatian soldiers, hired by the King of France, King Louis XIII, as part of their uniform. Back then, their purpose was to hold the top of the jacket together. While ties were not purely ornamental during this period, their decorative effect was soon noticed, and loved, by the royals. In fact, the king of France became so fond of it that he is known to have made ties mandatory for all royal gatherings. But that’s not all. To honour the bravery and service of the Croatian soldiers, he gave his favourite piece of accessory the name of “La Cravate” – which continues to be the name for neckties in French to this day.

No doubt, the 17th Century version of neckties or cravats looked nothing like the modern necktie we all are familiar with today. Even so, these stylish accessories made their mark and soon became popular across the lands of Europe. During the 20th century, cravats slowly started fading out of men’s wardrobes, and the modern avatar of ties slowly started making its way into men’s fashion.

What we recognize today as ties for men, did not come into existence till about the 1920s. The credit to the modern necktie goes to Jesse Langsdorf, a former banker and tie maker from New York. He invented a new style of cutting the fabric on an angle while constructing a tie. This triggered the invention of different types of tie knots. Soon, ties became a part of every man’s formal attire. Ever since, ties have been witnessing new and exciting changes, revolutionizing men’s fashion. Growing bolder, incorporating different colours and patterns, ties transformed into the quintessential statement accessory for men around the globe. From the skinny tie of the ’50s to the ultra wide ‘kipper tie’ and Western tie of the 1970’s ties have enjoyed a rich and eventful past.

Today, ties for men are found in a diverse range of styles, widths, cuts, fabrics, and prints. With so many different types of ties to choose from, selecting one style that meets your fashion taste and needs, can become overwhelming. Selecting the right necktie for you involves paying attention to not just one but several different elements. Whether you are buying your first or adding to your collection of ties, we suggest you keep in mind these 3 things:

• What’s the occasion:

Where and when you need to wear a tie plays an important role in deciding which tie to buy. Sounds simple, right? While subtle patterns, like plain stripes, and solid colours, are the perfect fit for professional occasions, semi formal events like day weddings might be the ideal time for you to play around with prints.

• Choosing the right pattern and colour:

When done right, ties with patterns can elevate your entire look. But how does one know which pattern to pick? There are a few things to consider before you make the decision and body type is one of them. Each body is built differently and fortunately, there is a tie pattern made to complement it! To appear taller or slimmer, you might want to stick to solid colours think luxurious blacks and rich burgundy or deep purple. Generally, solid colours create a leaner silhouette. Opt for smaller, intricate patterns, or slim vertical stripes that will help add height to your look. Alternatively, if you are looking to add weight to your look, choose bolder and busy patterns and prints.

• The length to width ratio:

When buying ties for men, the general rule is to choose a length and width proportional to their size and body structure. Additionally, you might also want to consider the size of the lapels on the suit jacket when selecting the width. Narrow cut ties look best on leaner men of a small build while the standard width of 3.5 to 4 inches suit is just what broader body types need. As for the length, regardless of its width, every necktie should be tied so that it falls just near the middle of your belt buckle.

• What fabric to pick:

While there are many different fabrics to choose from, the unanimous choice for ties is silk. Silk is not only luxurious but also one of the strongest fabrics with an extraordinarily high tensile strength. The finish and drape of silk are unmatched, making it suitable for all kinds of formal attires. However, lighter fabrics like polyester also have a lot to offer. This synthetic fiber is stain and wrinkle resistant, and a great choice for everyday wear. For those new to ties, a great way to start is to experiment with different fabrics and find your own, distinct style.