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8 Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing a Tie

The Top 8 Fashion Mistakes Men Make When Wearing a Tie

mens-tie-fashion-mistakesOn my way to work this morning I noticed a man wearing a Halloween themed necktie displaying one large white ghost surrounded by grinning pumpkins. As a tie aficionado it was, needless to say, a pure eyesore. Even though we are approaching Halloween, novelty ties are are always a fashion faux pas in the business world. While I have been writing quite a bit on “How to Wear a Tie”, my experience from this morning inspired me to dedicate a post to “How to NOT Wear Your Tie”. Here are, in order, the eight worst mistakes any man can make when wearing a tie:

#1: The Poorly Tied Tie
As someone how started a site on how to tie a tie it seems quite obvious that I would consider a poorly tied necktie the worst offender on this list. Mistakes include: a tie tied to short or too long, a flimsy looking knot that does not fill the gap between the collar, or a knot that shows any part of the narrow end of the tie.

#2: Too Shortly Tied Necktie
A tie should be tied so that it ends near the middle of your belt buckle. A tie that has been tied too short will throw of the entire look. There is no excuse for it! Even for tall men, most designers offer longer length ties. Check out my Tie Length Calculator to find out whether or not you should be buying XL sized ties.

#3: Kitschy Novelty Ties
My experience from this morning reassured me that novelty ties belong towards the top of this list. By novelty ties I am referring to any “big picture” tie. The only exception I make for wearing novelty ties (although I still wouldn’t) are certain holidays such as 4th of July, St Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and National Bow Tie Day (yes it does exists!)

#4: Clashing Colors & Patterns
So many men choose the wrong tie color and/or pattern for their outfits. In terms of color, choose a shade that compliments your shirt and suit. In doubt wear a dark navy, or charcoal suit, and a white dress shirt as any color tie will compliment. For more information please check out my article titled “Matching Tie Colors to Your Personality

#5: Wrinkled and/or Stained Neckties
The necktie is usually the focal point of your ensemble. Thus, a wrinkled or stained necktie is immediately noticeable. While ties can not be washed or ironed (because doing so damages the inlay and drape of the tie), I suggest you always untie your necktie after each wearing. Hang your ties on a tie rack or over a hanger and the fabric will straighten itself out over night. I also suggest you rotate your ties, and never wear the same tie two days in a row.

#6: Wrong Tie Width
The tie width you choose must be proportionate to your body type, dress shirt, suit, and tie knot. Yes, skinny ties are trendy, but they will look out of place if worn with a boxy cut, wide lapeled suit. For more information, please check out my Tips on Skinny Ties

#7: Choosing the Wrong Tie for a Particular Dress Code
Yes, there are indeed some dress codes and occasions that will require you to wear a particular style of tie. A perfect example here is the formal black tie dress code (requiring you to wear a self-tied black bow tie), as well as the even more formal white tie occasion (white self-tied pique bow tie).

#8: Accessory Overload
Common necktie accessories are tie-clips and bars, tie pins, and tie chains (click here for more info). While a tie bar can be a perfect addition to your look (especially when paired with solid skinny ties), you want to keep these types of necktie jewelery sleek and elegant. Tie pins, chains, and collar bars are no longer in fashion and should be avoided.

Avoid these 8 common tie mistakes and, do me the favor, point them out to the worst offenders at your office. Want to avoid a possible awkward confrontation? Then print out this article and post it in your company’s break room (you may want to check with HR before doing so…) =)

Thanks for reading!

Hendrik

44 thoughts on “8 Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing a Tie”

  1. Bob says:

    Informative guide! Would a solid blue tie clash with a faded blue shirt?

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Bob, those colors on shirt and tie would work well, very well actually! Give it a try and send in a picture!

    2. Nunyaz Bizness says:

      You shouldn’t be wearing a faded blue shirt with the tie in the first place. Use a shirt that isn’t faded, and to extend the life of the shirt, wash in cold (for dark blue) or warm (for sky / baby aka lighter blue) water, INSIDE OUT. This will prevent fading and make your shirt last longer. Finally, make sure that your laundry detergent is marked “color safe”.

  2. bill says:

    I wear a tie with no shirt on at all. Ladies seem to like that look. What do you think?

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Bill, this reminds me of Jennifer Aniston dressed in nothing but a necktie for a cover shoot of GQ Magazine. I guess if guys like it, then maybe women like it too? =) Just don’t dress like this to your next job interview – unless your are trying to get a job as a Chip & Dale dancer…

  3. scott says:

    hello i must ask why is the collar bars,tie clip,and chain must be avoided ? is it solely because they are out of fashion

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Scott, tie bars and tie clips are the most common necktie accessories these days. Tie pins and chains are rare, but that is not to say that you couldn’t use them to make a very unique style statement. It all depends how you put the look together. Personally, I am not a fan of tie pins solely because they can damage your necktie. Collar bars are a great accessory that actually have been slowly coming back into style. I am a big fan of collar bars (if paired correctly with shirt, suit, collar, and tie knot).

      1. Michael Kemery says:

        Year later and I’d still like to add my opinion. Besides all the things hendrik mentioned, people like scarcity. This is most commonly noticed when competing with other people for a woman’s attention, but it’s found at every level of human society.

        To exemplify, a man who has a beard in a society where beards are the classical norm is less likely to attract good attention than a man who clean shaves everyday. It’s exactly what hendrik said: “Common”. Always more fish in the sea. But a clean shaven guy in the same society, there are not as many people like him, just as there are not as many swordfish compared to sardines, so each swordfish grabs attention.

        Of course, if you have no idea about fashion (like me), potentially it is not wise to use uncommon accessories, but when you know the current fashion, uncommon can be a lot better than ‘common’.

        1. hendrik says:

          HI Michael, thanks for the great input. Your comment made me think of something Ralph Lauren said: “Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever”.

  4. Jeremy says:

    Hello-

    Is it necessary to always button the top button of a dress shirt when wearing a tie?

    Sometimes it is much more comfortable to have the top button open and just have the tie tighter and pushed up…

    Thoughts??

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Jeremy,
      Thanks for the good questions. No, it is not at all mandatory. But keep in mind that leaving your top button unbuttoned, and the tie slightly loose, will create a more casual look. It is less conservative and more relaxed. Personally I like wearing skinny ties this way when worn with cardigan sweater, dress shirt, jeans, and dress shoes.

      Hope this is helpful!

      Hendrik

  5. Mike says:

    Hi,
    I recently learned to tie the Windsor knot; I must say I like it. Reading around suggests the Windsor knot is purely for special occasions and not for daily wear, is this the case?

    Thanks for providing a very useful website, some great advice.

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Mike, thanks for the comment. It is true that the Windsor knot is elegant and classy, but that is not to say that you can only wear it for special occasions. Everytime you dress in suit and tie, the Windsor would be a perfect choice. If you are looking for more “casual” tie knots, for instance when wearing a knitted tie or skinny necktie with a sweater or cardigan, then the Four in Hand knot would be a better choice. I hope this helps

  6. Anthony says:

    I have a shirt with a button going from collar to collar, how do I wear my tie with that type of shirt?? Do I put my ties over the button or under so it pushes my tie away from my shirt?? Thanks in advance

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Anthony, I have not heard of such a dress shirt. Is this a button-down collar, meaning a collar that is buttoned down to the dress shirt?
      Here is a link to some of the most popular dress shirt collars. Simply copy/paste this link in your address bar: http://www.tie-a-tie.net/blog/dressshirt-collar-guide/

      1. Charles Fallang says:

        Just saw this. Perhaps he means a tab above the top button that brings the wings of the collar in tighter and pushes the knot up and out a wee bit. I bought such a shirt as an experiment and it looks fine. Not amazing, but someone in the office noticed a tie I’d worn many times then HAD to know why it looked different. I don’t know if I was wearing the tie correctly, but under the tab would have been difficult.

        1. hendrik says:

          Thanks Charles for the input.

  7. ha says:

    Hi,

    I had a question regarding a facet of tie knots that I did not know about until just a few weeks ago: the tie dimple. Since someone pointed this out, I have been paying attention to the way a tie dimples right under the knot. What I’ve read suggests a dimple in the center is the correct way to wear a tie, but I have also heard those in the military are advised to not have a dimple in their ties. Do you have an opinion on the matter?

    1. hendrik says:

      That is interesting. I have not heard that Military men are not supposed to “dimple” their ties. This might have to do with the fact that the “dimple” is a bit more attention-grabbing, meaning less conservative. To dimple your tie is a personal choice, but one that is considered as stylish by most tie aficionados. The only time I would advise against dimpling a tie knot would be when wearing skinny ties. For those I prefer slightly asymmetric and somewhat imperfect looking tie knots. These give the trendy skinny tie a more casual, cool, and relaxed look.

  8. David says:

    When wearing a named shirt meaning that there is a logo or other type writing on the shirt. When I was growing up I was always told that this was a no no. You do not ever wear a tie on a named shirt. Is this true?

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi David, not true. You can wear a shirt with a logo’ed shirt. But keep in mind that typically it is a bit more casual…

  9. Larry says:

    I would like a woman’s opinion. Do women still love seeing a well dressed man in a suit and tie, or is that past history ? Business and society is so casual now. It’s rare to find a business that asks its employees to dress professional.

    1. hendrik says:

      HI Larry, great question! IN fact I was wondering the same which motivated me to survey over a thousand people on this subject. Short answer is: YES! Women appreciate men who dress well and classy.

  10. Paul says:

    This information is very subjective and ultimately elitist. You think the information provided is helpful must and be followed or else face ridicule. Very distastful and arrogant. Worst information on the Internet.

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Paul, thanks for your input and opinion. Certainly, you can dress as you please and wear your ties any way you like. Just don’t expect to get too many compliments when you commit several easy to avoid tie faux pas. But again, dress in a way that makes you happy.

  11. sookhan says:

    All the clothes he had is in strip.. so should i get a plain tie for him??

  12. Clyde says:

    While getting ready for a job interview, I noticed that the top button of my dress shirt was showing when I had my tie pushed up. Is this at all okay? I normally don’t dress like this, so I have no idea. I work in a factory, so the normal is jeans and t-shirts. But for a job interview, I always try to dress nice…regardless of what it is for.

    1. hendrik says:

      HI Clyde, yes that is quite common although it is preferred that the tie knot covered the top button(s) on the dress shirt. Possibly try a larger tie knot like the Windsor knot. Also, it may be the case that the shirt collar fits a little too tight for your neck size.

      1. Clyde says:

        Thanks. I found out that by leaving the very top button around my neck unbuttoned, it allowed the tie to work perfectly. And yes, it’s very possible that it was just too tight. It was a large shirt, but I have an 18″ neck.

  13. karla says:

    i wanted my 2015 office attire be a lil’ different from the norm– wearing a tie over my office shirt and im a girl. i just wonder if there’s a specific tie for girls. pls help.

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Karla, most women that wear neckties use a regular men’s tie. If you are on the shorter/petite side, then you could also wear a shorts tie designed for boys. Should the regular sized men’s tie be too long, then you can simply cut off part of the narrow end and use some fabric glue to seal the seam to avoid fraying.

  14. Kenny says:

    I am fairly new to wearing and buying ties outside of military dress. I have noticed that when buying ties, they are all too short. I prefer a double Windsor knot, and my skinny ends always end up around my breast line. Do they make longer ties designed to meet this style? Thanks!

    1. hendrik says:

      Hi Kenny, yes they certainly make long length ties. Since most brick and mortar stores don’t stock them, I suggest shopping for them online. One store I recommend is Bows-N-Ties.com. They have over a thousand XL length ties in stock.

  15. Chidera Chiedozie says:

    Can i wear a tie and a collar tip chain?

    1. hendrik says:

      HI Chidera, short answer is no. But you can wear a tie chain with your necktie. Take a look here:
      http://www.tie-a-tie.net/accessories.html (please copy/paste into your address bar)

  16. Pontefractious says:

    All modern ties are ugly. Show me a tie that doesn’t make me reach for my dark glasses ! Shiny ties are in the worst possible taste yet that’s all there is. Also, who started this business of tying a tie with a crease in the middle at the top ? Sometimes you get it right in the US, but sometimes, as in this case, you drive me to dispair

    1. ODH-G says:

      By and large I agree with you- skinny and shiny ties should have stayed in the 80s, not come back to haunt us. However, the crease in the tie is the traditional way to wear one. It’s just a case of not making it too big.

  17. dshopsfordad says:

    Hi, As a female I wanted to share my observations and opinions on ties and tie collar bars, pins and clip accessories.
    In noticing that some guys wear these it seems that their ties always look perfectly straight, giving a look of fastidiousness and trustworthiness because it makes the tie look like it’s owner took the time to do it well. A tie supported by a tie collar bar pin or clip even looks neater in a lineup of guys having a closeup of their upper body in interviews on TV so I asked my husband about it along with whether or not it was less comfortable to wear a tie collar or tie collar pin and what he thought it added to appearance. He said that as long as the actual shirt collar was the correct size(and especially for the tie collar bar type which has pre-made eyelet holes on the collar lapels), no problem. Then, in asking him ‘Why bother?’ He said it gives the type of neatness to the look that shows you give attention to detail and that he wore tie collar bars when he was in the Navy. He also says the neatness of his uniform did catch the attention of superiors on a few occasions and seemed to lead to a little faster promotions compared to others working alongside him both in the Navy and later in the Army when he decided after war to join up to pursue Military Police work.

  18. ODH-G says:

    Very useful and informative article. I have to say, I disagree with your statement that collar bars are to be avoided. I’ve recently noticed them coming back in a big way, and with a slim silk or knitted tie they can really enhance one’s image (I always wear one for interviews and meetings). Tie pins (if plain and simple, like a single pearl for example) can also look dashing for a night out at the casino, for example, if paired with a light-coloured suit and wide tie.

  19. max raab says:

    i disagree on #2. for a while there was a very fashionable trend in the late 80s to have the skimmy end fall a half inch lower than the wide end. probably the influence of max raab silk tango ties. to this day i have kept wearing that stylistic trend.

    1. Hendrik says:

      Hi Max, thank you for your comment. You are indeed correct here. Italians like to show the narrow end of the tie dangling next to or under the wide end. But this is more of a style statement and rather exception than norm.

  20. Samantha Skelton says:

    When my husband wears his tie the thinner piece ,that hides under the top part , is much shorter than the rest of the tie so that it can’t reach to go thru the loop thingy to keep the 2 pieces together . Excuse my lack of correct terminology, you can tell I’m a woman who doesn’t wear ties ! It looks sloppy and makes me crazy . He’s not particularly tall so I wouldn’t think he needs an extra long tie ? He does have a fairly broad neck so maybe that’s why he has so little tie left to work with ? If you can help us I’d appreciate any advice . Thank you

    1. Hendrik says:

      Hi Samantha
      Thanks for your comment and great question. If your husband’s height in inches + neck size in inches is over 91, then he should be wearing XL length ties that measure 61-63 inches in untied length. You can also tie a different tie knot that ties less of the tie’s length. The Four in Hand knot would be a great pick here.

  21. Bebrave Textiles says:

    Thanks for getting us aware of the Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing a Tie. I read your complete article and found it very useful.

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