Accessorizing a Mens Necktie

Master Your Necktie: Crucial Details

The necktie is all about details, and that shouldn’t be any surprise to you. After all, it has a history – a heritage, really – that comes mostly from its use as a traditional detail, every man’s formal finishing touch since the early 20th century. Logically, some of the most important things every necktie owner should know are about the smallest of details.

Knot Size
One of the positive developments in men’s fashion of the last decade has been a greater awareness of the necessary details. The big brands, for example, have realized that every aspect of the necktie, from the width to the knot, must be proportionate to the wearer.

Your necktie knot and the size of your collar are the two parts that you have to force into cooperation; one has to be in sync with the other. A larger collar with more space at the throat – a spread collar, for example – will require a heftier knot to fill up the space. Conversely, a narrower collar stance needs a smaller, more diminutive knot to maintain the proper proportions.

The four in hand knot is every man’s best friend because it fit into most collar descriptions, and works with most neckties to boot. Don’t just learn the knot, master it. For more information on all the different tie knots, we suggest you have a look at our guide on How to Tie a Tie.

Maintenance for Men
Even guys who have owned neckties throughout their lives don’t necessarily know how to keep one – and keep it clean. The true silk necktie is an investment piece, what with high-quality brands charging up to $200 a pop. Necktie maintenance is something that all tie owners should know and regularly practice.

One of the most common crimes men do against their neckties is to yank it off after work and then let it lie where it lands. Remember that most ties – especially the kind made for the office – are made largely of silk, a very delicate fabric. Leaving it bunched up in the knot without your neck to offer any resistance can and will mean permanent creasing in the long run – and nobody wants that.

Undoing the knot fully and hanging it up straight on an appropriate hanger (yes, there are necktie hangers made just for that purpose) will take an extra two minutes of your day. In the long run, however, you could be adding ten years to the life span of your tie. For more information on proper tie care, please see our tutorial on How to Clean a Silk Tie

Have the Hardware
Wearing the necktie alone is sufficient for the common guy. The style-conscious man, on the other hand, knows that a few extras are needed to complete the effect.

A tie bar might not sound like the most important thing. It’s a small strip of metal clipped to the front of your shirt, akin to a bracelet or ring. In practice, though, it does much to keep your tie in line – and out of the line of fire. Whether you have a desk job or you’re out on the streets all day, you won’t be able to help but be thankful that the tie bar is there to keep all that precious silk out of harm’s way.

Like the necktie, there’s no reason not to get a tie bar. They can be had for as little as $10 and the GQ-approved type can be found for $15. There are men with entire collections of these, but all you really need is a simple rectangle, without adornment or décor. It’s the kind you can wear to the most events, as well as to the office on a daily basis. Building your own record-worthy collection, however, isn’t entirely out of the question.

Other Suggested Articles You May Like:
Silk Tie Care Tips
Accessorizing with Mens Jewelry

Your Cheap-Neckties.com Team