It’s a Tie: Get to Know these 7 Basic Ties for Your Everyday Needs

Buying men’s ties calls for a lot of research. When looking at the material, silk is the best you can find. Wool is good too if you’re going casual. But if you want the synthetic one, you will find it hard to match your suit. As for satin, it’s not an advisable material for everyday wear because it’s so shiny and goes mostly on evening events. 

When it comes to the design, have a self-assessment of how often you are going to wear a certain tie for a formal or casual setting. To know more about what ties you should have, check out this helpful list!

1. The one with solid & dark colors

The deep navy blue silk tie is the to-go tie of most men, but you can also go for darker shades of green, orange, brown, and burgundy. The latter is also a popular tie because it’s suitable for Summer.  Although black is very formal, you can also wear it with casual suits.

If you’re planning to purchase only one tie, buy one that has a solid and dark color to easily match anything in your wardrobe. Do not go with neons or pastels because they’re hard to pull off. 

Grenadine tie, produced in Italy, comes mostly in solid colors. If you’re looking for something more casual that’s not poppy at all, you should try this.

2. The one with stripes

Stripes in ties are also a classic pattern, but not as interchangeable as the solid colors. 

If you’re planning to wear a striped tie on a striped shirt and coat, make sure that the patterns are not in the same direction.

However, you should be careful with stripes that belong to universities or regiments. University ties’ stripes often slide from left to right, while the regimental ties are from right down to the left. Just be mindful but don’t be bothered too much because there are designated colors assigned to them. The commercial stores probably won’t sell these kinds of ties.

3. The one with some polka dots

Polka dot tie is also known as the spotted tie. It’s another classic that has been in men’s wardrobe for decades. If you’re planning to buy one, go with the dots that are not too big nor too small. Navy blue and dark red would be a great base color for dots, but you could also experiment until you find the best one for your style. You won’t have to worry about the color of the dots matching your outfit because it’ll act as the cherry on top. Plus, this kind of tie makes everything simple, clean, and no one looks awkward in it.

4. The one made from foulard

Foulard is a type of fabric characterized by its geometric, repetitive patterns that don’t change in size or spacing. The neat, symmetrical patterns make foulard ties versatile and perfect for an office setting. You can also make your outfits easier to style by opting for muted colors. 

Patterns are great, but they might also get tricky.  If the patterns are a bit too colorful like the ones with ducks and tennis rackets, reserve them for casual wear.

5. The one with the paisley

Originally from India and modified in England, paisley is an intricate pattern characterized by its ornately bordered and curved design. Although it’s a classic, the bold pattern might not be for everyone so buy this only if you find it suitable for your style. You won’t have to worry about the color of the design when matching your entire outfit, you can have a colorful one that matches a lot in your wardrobe. Some pocket squares also have a paisley pattern, but it’s fine to wear a tie if your pocket square is also paisley. 

6. The one with the plaid

It’s a bit hard to style but if most of your coats and shirts are in solid colors, you should try this too. Though it leans more on the casual side, you can use plaid ties to give a more refreshing take to your everyday workwear.  Match a light plaid tie with a darker suit for good color contrast and vice versa. If you’re buying your first-ever plaid tie, the best option would be the one with dark tones like dark burgundy based with dark brown or deep blue lines.

For neckties, the patterns of plaids usually form diamond shapes because it looks softer and more cheerful. 

7. The one tied as a bow

This one is optional because you might just need this when attending an evening event, specifically when wearing a tuxedo. Bowties come in different colors too. Some men are having fun experimenting with different colors for a more casual and quirky style. 

Now that you know the basics, try to assess what you need. You don’t have to buy it all at once, and just pick the designs that will be useful for you. Comment down which you prefer the most!