How could you say “No” to this face? I thought that showing a begging puppy might be a good encouragement to take this brief survey. In case this isn’t enough, then maybe the chance to win a $250 gift card to our partner site Bows-N-Ties.com might motivate you to spend 30 seconds to answer the few simple questions below.

As you might know, I am  a tie aficionado. To me, a tie is the ultimate accessory that can add a completely new look to any outfit. Be it for a formal black tie event, a job interview, dressing for a wedding, or going on a first date, I am a strong believer that a tie has many benefits outside of being stylish. Now I want to find out if there is indeed a correlation between wearing ties and such things as your career, your relationships, happiness, success, and much more. I very much appreciate your participation! Results will be posted within the next 30 days.

Vintage Tie Patterns from the 1950s – Found in Como, Italy

Last week I traveled to the Como, Italy in search of new tie designs, high-end fabrics, and skilled tailors. If you ask yourself why Como and not China, then the simple answer is that I was looking for superior quality and excellent design. Como has always been famous for silk production ever since Italian monks smuggled silk worms from China in the 5th century to this mountainous region of northern Italy. The climate was just right to grow mulberry leaves – the food silk worms need in order to produce this sought after thread (For more info, you may also want to read my article on Tie Fabrics).

While the actual production of silk has gone back to China (mainly because of cost reasons), Como still produces silk fabrics. The raw silk is now imported, and the Italian do their magic in terms of colors, designs, and unique fabric weaves. While in Italy I visited eight of the world’s most famous silk fabric mills and designers, some of which supply fabrics for brands such as Brioni, Zegna, Marinella, Kiton, Brooks Brothers, and several others. One company I especially enjoyed meeting with was BBC Jacquard. Their sales consultant Marcello Scebanti not only showed me their entire current collection, encompassing close to a thousand different designs and fabric weaves, but he also gave me access to one of the company’s most valued treasures: their design archives that stores thousands of original fabric designs from 1903 till today. Below are pictures I took from their design book from 1954.

Quite common for tie designs from the mid century were geometric patterns which today’s design world often refers to graphic prints. Today these patterns are not found on neckties, but more commonly seen on floor tiles, wall paper, and other house furnishings. While rare on neckties today, I think that these patterns will be coming back into the world of ties sooner than later.

 

Another design pattern I especially liked from the design book from 1954. T combination of colors and geometric pattern is just perfect. I asked Marcello if they could re-produce this design, and he said that modern looms are too fast to produce some of the old designs, something I found quite interesting.

 

This was my favorite among the hundred+ designs from the book from 1956. The color is perfect, and the design is truly unique. If anyone knows where to find this actual fabric (or even better an actual tie with this design), please comment below.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Hendrik
Tie Aficionado and Founder of Tie-a-Tie.net

 

Necktie Color Trends 2013: Time for Bold Greens

Ever since Pantone announced Emerald as their 2013 color of the year, has this shade been showing up everywhere. While it is a bit too bold on larger clothing pieces, fashion designers found the necktie and bow tie to be the perfect accessories to infuse some of this trend color into a man’s wardrobe. Not just emerald is popping up in tie designer’s summer collections, but also popular are ties in teal, mint, as well as any imaginable shade of turquoise. Without doubt, for those who are used to wearing mostly navy, black and burgundy ties, these bold accessories might seem a bit overwhelming at first. To make it easier to add these pieces to your daily rotation, I went searching for some of my favorite looks showing off these pieces. I hope this serves as some inspiration to step out of your comfort zone. It is time to be bold.

A simple and stylish way to add this color to your business rotation: Solid teal color tie (left) and solid teal pocket square (right), also note the skinny width of the tie that perfectly compliments the slim fit suit. The tie bar nicely accessorizes the tie and keeps the skinny tie in place. Picture Source: Tumblr.com 

 

Two popular tie trends for 2013: Emerald green color & knitted texture. Here the tie nicely compiments a more casual/smart ensemble. Picture Source: stoneleighgallery.tumblr.com

A great combination of color and pattern! Here the emerald green polka dot tie is paired with a window-pane check shirt, and stone gray suit. The white pocket square features a subtle gray border and is the perfect piece to add contrast and a touch of sophistication. Image Source: guystyleguide.tumblr.com

Other Related Posts:
Style Guide for Paisley Ties
Necktie Color Guide

Thanks for Visiting!

Hendrik
Tie Aficionado & Founder of Tie-a-Tie.net 

 

More Style with Plaids & Other Check Patterns

Take a walk down any busy city street, and you’ll no doubt be inundated with check patterns. Regardless of season, check patterns are some of the most popular in men’s fashion, and can be found in practically any type of piece whether it be a tie, shirt or even a pair of pants. Strangely enough, however, checks are actually widely misunderstood. Many people don’t realize that there are actually a variety of different “sub-genres” of the check pattern, each of which is unique to itself and lends itself to particular pieces. The more you can learn about how to properly wear checks, the easier it will be for you to take your fashion sense to the next level. Inspired by the popularity of check patterns in men’s fashion, I took a closer look at the 9 most common types, and give you some tips on how to best incorporate them into your daily rotation.

Argyle
Argyle is one of the most popular varieties of checks in men’s fashion, and should have a place in any fashion-forward man’s wardrobe. Typically, this pattern is made up of an overlapping motif of diamonds and lozenges, which gives it a three-dimensional sense. The result is a pattern that practically screams movement and dimension, which can add texture to even the most basic pieces. The pattern became especially popular in England after WWI, followed quickly by prominence in the US. The Duke of Windsor helped to make the pattern famous, associating it with golf and other leisure sports.

As a pattern, argyle can most often be seen in sweaters and socks. Given the fact that it has somewhat preppy connotations, it’s perfect for wearing during the spring and summer seasons with khakis and boat shoes. Golfers prize the pattern still to this day. My tip: Incorporate an argyle cashmere vest to your street-style by pairing it with a harris tweed jacket, knitted tie, and beige colored dress pants.

A perfect way to incorporate this check pattern into your daily rotation. The argyle sweater vest is paired with a vintage harris tweed jacket. The only thing missing would be a cognac brown knit tie.Argyle vests loo excellent when paired with a necktie. The rich orange color on the tie is nicely paired with the colors found on the sweater.Plaid
Similar in popularity to argyle, plaid is a pattern that has all but completely infiltrated the landscape of American fashion since its inception many years ago. The pattern can be seen virtually anywhere, and typically consists of vertical and horizontal bands of two or more colors that cross one another. It is closely associated with tartan, although there are certain values that differentiate the two.

Plaid is very commonly seen in flannel, although it can just as easily be found in dress shirts. As a result, it’s the perfect pattern for business-casual professionals, as well as those who like to embrace the outdoors. It’s one of those patterns that will never go out of style, making it ideal as an addition to one’s wardrobe. My tip: Wear a plaid flannel shirt with a quilted vest, dark wash jeans, and urban boots.

Perfect outdoorsy street-style! The classic plaid flannel shirt is paired with vest, waffle cone long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and urban boots. Picture courtesy of Nordstroms.Tartan
As a pattern, tartan is that which is most associated with plaid in today’s fashion landscape. In America, it is often interchanged with plaid. Plaid in Scotland, however, is typically a term used to refer to a cloth slung or even a blanket, which is where the differentiation comes into play. The pattern has quite a bit of history, symbolic in that it was adopted as the national dress of Scotland in the 1700s. Consisting of pre-dyed woven threads that weft and warp at right angles, tartan is a very recognizable pattern that continues to enjoy prominence throughout the world.

As with plaid, tartan is often found in woolen pieces such as flannel shirts. Kilts, of course, also utilize the pattern, although to say that the kilt is prominent in modern times would be a rather dramatic misstep. The most famous tartan-check in fashion today is the one made famous by English fashion house Burberry (shown above). My tip: Because tartan is usually quite a bold plaid pattern, it is best left to the smaller accessories. Good choices are neckties, bow ties, umbrellas, as well as cashmere scarves.

Gingham
Gingham, a pattern that once found a great deal of use in the British MOD culture a few decades ago, is once again a very popular menswear pattern – primarily used on dress shirts but also neckties. Consisting of tight, square checks in two colors (typically white and a contrasting color), it resembles what many people might refer to as a “tablecloth pattern.” Given the fact that the pattern is laid out in such a way, it does not have a right or wrong side, and can be worn in practically any fashion.

In men’s fashion gingham is commonly found on dress shirts, ties, as well as scarves. My tip: Take a gray, charcoal, and white gingham-check shirt and pair it with a charcoal tie made from worsted wool. Because gingham dress shirts very popular these days, I recently added a post titled the TOP 5 Ties for Gingham Shirts. Take a look for some tie matching tips to your gingham dress shirt.

A perfect example of adding the gingham check into your rotation. Here the shirt is paired with solid midnight blue bow tie, sports coat, cream colored chinos, and contrasting pocket square.Windowpane
While many people don’t know this pattern by name, windowpane is actually quite commonly found in men’s fashion. This pattern consists of very wide checks, often in white or offwhite. It gets its name from the fact that the pattern does indeed look like a series of window panes, which adds quite a bit of dimension to practically any piece it is applied to.

Perhaps the most common application of the windowpane pattern is in the men’s suit. Windowpane outlines can look extremely attractive on the right suit, especially when the pattern outline is an attractive shade of grey and subtly melds into the piece. My tip: work with a tailor and create a well fitted double-breasted suit featuring this unique pattern. Also great in combination with window-pane check are 3-piece suits as well as sports coats.

One of my favorite looks of a window-pane suit. The earthy colors, and the tweed herringbone tie make this a perfect ensemble come early Fall.Glen Plaid
Glen Plaid is a pattern seen not quite as often in America as in other parts of the world, although some Americans still swear by it regardless. Glenurquhart Valley in Scotland is where the pattern gets its name, and it also sometimes goes by the Prince of Wales check, as the Duke of Windsor helped to popularize it. Typically, this pattern consists of tightly woven small and large checks in muted colors, often utilizing greys and whites as well.

The Glen Plaid pattern is usually seen in woolen goods; cabbie caps commonly utilize it. Pee-wee herman actually helped to popularize Glen Plaid, as his trademark suit made use of the pattern. My tip: Go for the vintage look of a glen-check patterned sports coat. Chances are you will find the perfect piece at a thrift store for less than $50. Pair this piece with narrow striped shirt, dress pants, and a crisp white pocket square.

Tattersall
Tattersall is one of the more interesting forms of check patterns, as it truly has a look and feel all its own. The “square within a square” look is formed by vertical warp stripes that intertwine with horizontal weft repeating stripes, which tend to be in alternating colors from one another. Prominent in London as far back as the 18th century, Tattersall still remains popular today.

Since this pattern is all about contrast, it can very often be found in dress shirts, as well as waistcoats. While casual in design, it adds an air of sophistication to practically any piece that it is added to, and is perfect for the modern man. My tip: add at least one or two tattersall check shirts to your rotation. These pieces pair exceptionally well with repp-stripe as well as solid colored ties.

Madras
Originating in East India, Madras is a pattern that many people see daily, yet don’t know the exact name of. This is a very summery fabric that consists of checks and stripes in muted, yet soft and vibrant colors. The checks that are formed from Madras tend to be uneven, which gives a sense of depth and dimension to the pattern.

Typically, Madras is associated with preppy attire, and can often be found in shorts and chinos. Since it is ultra-casual in nature, it isn’t usually found in business attire. My tip: take a colorful madras-check necktie made from cotton and pair it with a cream colored suit – a perfect look for the next summer wedding you are attending.

A perfect summer look! A colorful cotton tie with madras check is paired with a micro window-pane check shirt, and double breasted navy blazer.Houndstooth
Houndstooth is one of the more interesting check patterns, as it is quite loud, yet often seen in various aspects of men’s fashion. This pattern consists of a tight weave of broken/uneven checks; it gets its name from the fact that the checks literally look like dog teeth. Traditionally in black and white, houndstooth can also be seen in other colors as well.

While the pattern is sometimes found in ties, it can most often be found in certain types of hats such as cabby caps. It has a throwback, retro quality to it, which many people find to be one of its strong points. My tip: because houndstooth is quite an attention-grabbing pattern, use it carefully. Personally I enjoy this pattern as inner lining for contemporary sports coats, as well as neckties.

The Power of Paisley – Style & Matching Tips for Paisley Ties

If you have found yourself wearing either striped or solid ties day after day, then it is time for a change. 2013 is all about patterns, layering, and contrast, and few accessories will do as good of a job in doing just that, than a paisley tie. But before you head out to your next Nordstroms in search of the perfect paisley, make sure you familiarize yourself with these basic style tips. Depending on your personal style, I created three looks: “The Sophisticated”, “The Dapper”, and “The Renegade”.

“The Sophisticated”
You like 3-piece suits, classic brass-button blazers, and black tie events. Your tie collection consists of plenty of solids, repp-striped ties, and you even own a few paisleys. While you do own paisley ties, it is time to upgrade your wardrobe for the 2013 season. Pick bold paisley patterns but stick to classic colors such as navy, reds, hunter green, amber, charcoal, and brown. Besides these ties you should consider investing in a few key accessories such as tie bars, paisley pattern pocket squares, vests, and cardigans. Below are a few of my favorite looks found on some of my favorite style blogs, Pinterest, and google images.

A perfect play of pattern and color! The bold large-scale paisley pattern on the tie is paired with a very subtle micro-check shirt. The strong contrasting pin-stripes on the suit add yet another element to this uber sophisticated ensemble.

Again, the paisley tie is paired with a pastel colored checkered shirt. The muted colors on the tie as well as the classic navy blue suit give this ensemble a slightly more mature/conservative look compared to the first picture above.



“The Dapper”
You subscribe to GQ, prefer slim ties over wider pieces, and half of all your facebook page likes are for sartorial style blogs. You do own a nice tie collection but I bet that there is not a single paisley tie among them – but this is about to change. Choose slimmer (but not skinny) paisley ties that are about 3 to 3.25 inches in width. Chose bright colors but stick to a monochromatic color theme. Perfect here are pastel tones such as baby-blue, lavender, pinks, and mint-greens. Here are some of my favorite paisley tie looks for “The Dapper” dude in you.

TV character Chuck Bass is not afraid to show some color on his ties. Pinks and lavender are among is favorites. Here he opted for a pink paisley tie paired with a lavender and white striped shirt. If you like a bright and somewhat “flashy” look, then this may be an outfit for you.

The “Dapper” is not only a fan of bold colors, but also of attention-grabbing patterns. The navy paisley tie is paired with a trendy window-pane check suit, light blue shirt, and a white pocket square featuring navy edging.



“The Renegade”
You don’t really care about following a certain trend but instead focus your energy on being different. While you may not be an everyday tie wearer, you too can benefit from owning a few paisley pieces. Best for you are vintage inspired paisley designs in muted colors. Both silk and wool are strong contenders for you. Here are a few looks that my inspire you to experiment with paisley neckties.

A look that is both flashy yet sophisticated. The pink and coral paisley tie is paired with a window-pane-check sports coat, and double breasted indigo-blue overcoat. The rose colored hanky adds another interesting element while helping tying the colors together.

The “Renegade” likes shopping at Vintage stores. The Harris tweed jacket paired with muted paisley tie, golden tie clip, and complementing pocket square shows that vintage can be stylish.



Other Related Posts:
Check Our my New Mens Dress Shoe Guide
Guide on How to Wear Knitted Ties

Thanks for Reading

Hendrik
Tie-a-Tie.net

A closer look at all common bow tie styles, along with tips on how to best wear them

Just like there are different necktie styles, there are quite a few different styles of bow ties. The main difference lies in cut, size, and fabric. Below I am discussing each style and give you some tips on when/how to best wear it. Last but not least, I added a few images of some of my favorite bow tie looks ranging from casual to strictly black tie. Enjoy!

Cut:
The biggest difference here lies in the spread of the bow (horizontal size) as well as the shape of the tips. Usually the spread of the bow tie needs to be proportionate to the rest of your outfit, meaning larger butterfly bow ties usually look best with wider lapels and/or double breasted jackets. Here are the four most common bow tie cuts:

From left to right: bow tie with pointed ends, batwing bow tie, classic (aka Thistle) bow tie (usually: 2″ – 2.5″ spread), butterfly bow tie (usually 2.75″-3.5″ spread)

Fabrics & Texture:
Most bow ties are made from silk, but that is not to say that there aren’t other choices out there. For the summer cotton is an excellent fabric that combines nicely with typical summer patterns and colors (seersucker, pastel tones, and multi colored checks). Another fabric that is a must mention is velvet. Bow ties made from velvet were popular in the late 50’s, and until recently, had vanished from the fashion scene. Today velvet bow ties are back in style. They can be seen on black tie aficionados like George Clooney as well as dapper dudes embracing New York streetstyle. Last but not least fabric textures can add a huge amount of diversity to your bow tie collection. From subtle ribbed textures, worsted wool (winter), formal pique (popular for white tie dress), and many more.

Lengths:
Most self-tied bow ties can be adjusted in length usually fitting a wide range of neck sizes. Fixed length bow ties do exist but should only be bought if you have the chance to try it on. The benefit of the fixed length: the bow tie spread is cut in proportion to your neck size, and they do look nicer when worn with a wing tip collar (check out my dress shirt collar guide for more info).

Some of my Favorite Bow Tie Looks:
Because pictures are worth a thousand words, here are a few examples of some great bow tie looks. For more bow tie matching inspiration, please check out this board on Pinterest:

Velvet bow ties are back in style! George Clooney did a nice job pairing a modern velvet bow tie to your formal black tie ensemble.

A perfect look pairing a glen-check patterned bow tie with a fine herringbone textured blazer and a V-neck cashmere sweater. A perfect combination of color, pattern, and texture.

Something quite unusual but very stylish are so-called Grenadine bow ties. The unique fabric texture paired with the larger butterfly bow tie makes this a stand-out accessory. Nicely paired with charcoal trench coat and checkered shirt.

Who said that “black tie” bow ties have to be solid in color? A nice combination of polka dot bow tie paired with double breasted tux.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Hendrik
Tie-a-Tie.net

Men’s Shoe Guide: Tips on How to Wear the 8 Most Common Men’s Dress Shoe Styles

If I would only have a dollar every-time I hear a fellow sartorialist say “The shoe makes the man”… Well, this saying is popular for a reason. Nice footwear does add a tremendous amount of style and class to your wardrobe, a fact that inspired me to write this dress shoe guide. Below are the eight most common dress shoe styles found in a man’s wardrobe, and besides just writing about what makes each style unique, I am giving you some helpful dress/style tips on each. Last but not least, because a picture is worth a thousand words, I added images of some of my favorite pieces for each category.

Oxfords (AKA Balmoral)
A classic shoe style with a formal, elegant, and dressy appeal. Oxfords come in any color although black and browns are most popular. Typically the sleeker the design (being also black in color), the more formal the shoe. Brogue oxfords and heavier construction on the other hand appear a bit less formal. Pair the oxford shoes with dress pants but not jeans.

Two classic examples of men’s oxfords. The one on the left is a captor style. Its black calfskin leather and overall simplistic design makes it a perfect formal pair for suits and even black tie events. The brown color, more rugged construction, as well as its brogue wingtip makes the left pair much more casual in comparison.

Derby (aka Blüchers)
The Derby is a very similar to the oxford shoe but the difference is in the lacing which is sewn outside of the shoes (showing visible flaps). This more noticeable lacing style makes this shoe style less formal compared to the classic Oxford. Derby/Blüchers come in any color, brogue and non brogue, cap-toed, wing tipped, as well as many different types of leather and linen. Derby shoes are perfect for a smart-casual dress consisting of jeans, dress shorts, and sport coats. They are less suited for suits but do make a good shoe choice for business attire on rainy days due to their more rugged construction.

Two very unique pair of Blüchers. The pair on the left is decorated with a brogue wingtip. It is a classic pair that suits casual business attire with slacks and sports coat as much as with dark wash jeans and cardigan sweater. The pair on the right stands out because of the dark blue color and different leather combinations (suede and calf skin).

Loafers
Loafer’s are the traveling business man’s best friend. They slip on and off easily when going through security, they are comfortable, and versatile. The sleeker and simpler the design the more formal it is. Also, darker colors are more formal (black being the most formal), and the less of your socks are visible the more formal the look. Loafers look great with jeans and dress pants, as well as with suits when not wearing a necktie. Common loafer variations are monk straps, tasseled decorations, penny loafers, and formal pumps (see below).

That most loafers are more casual can be seen here. The Hugo Boss pair on the left is a bit more formal compared to the suede pair on the left thanks to color, type of leather, and minimalistic design. The pair on the right (sometimes also called driving shoes) are much more casual. The blue color, the suede leather, and the thin rubber sole are all indicative of a casual pair.

Cap Toes
The term cap toe refers to the extra layer of leather near the front of the shoes. That being said, oxfords as well as Blüchers can be “Cap Toed”. Again, the sleeker the design the more formal. Heavy brogue (embossing of the leather) takes away the formality but does add a more uniqueness. Depending on the style and formality, cap toed dress shoes can be worn with suits, tuxedos, and even jeans.

Two classic Allen Edmonds captoes. The oxford style pair on the left is elegant yet not overly dressy thanks to the decorated brogues. The Derby pair on the right is another perfect casual dress shoe that would look excellent with sports coats, blazers, and even suits.

Monk Straps
The term “Monk strap” refers to the buckled strap the replaces shoe laces. Monk straps come with one, two, and even three straps, are available in any color, can be made from a wide variety of different leathers, and can be cap toed as well as wingtipped (see below). Monk strap shoes are perfect for those who seek a more unique type of shoe that will draw attention. When matching the shoes, make sure that the color of the clasp Typically silver, brass, or gold) matches your belt buckle, wrist watch, and cufflinks (should you choose to wear those).

Two elegant pairs of monkstrap dress shoes. The pair on the left uses a double clasp giving the shoe a more trendy/fashion-forward look, while the pair on the right keeps the style classic/timeless with its single strap. Note the captoe construction on the left and the brogue wingtip on the right.

Dress Boots
Dress boots are a sleek and minimalistic boot style that can be worn with jeans, odd trousers, and suits (in rainy or snowy weather). Dress boots come in a wide variety of styles such as brougai, wing tip, monk strap, and cap toed.

Two completely different types of dress boots. The chelsea boot on the left is a classic accessory dating back to the Victorian era. The laced up pair on the right is perfect for smart-casual wear and great for jeans and slacks but not suits.

Wingtips
The term “Wing Tip” refers to the shape of the cap toe that looks like wings stretching across the front of the shoe. Most wing tips are Derby shoes decorated with brogue leather. While most wing tips are solid in color (mostly back or brown), two-toned date back to the 1920s (black & white). Today two-toned wingtips are once again quite popular and perfect for a smart-casual dress.

Wingtips are a popular shoe style that comes in any color and style. The brown brogue pair on the left is a bit more elegant compared to the grayish-blue brogue pair on the right. Designers like Cole Hahn especially has played with lots of colors on their assortment of wingtip shoes offering bright colored soles and two tone upper leather.

Formal Pumps
The formal pump (aka Opera pump) is a formal type of loafer made from shiny black patent leather. Typical is a grosgrain ribbon decoration on the cap of the shoe. Formal pumps are only suited for formal black tie or white tie ensembles and do make a good alternative choice of shoe to formal patent leather oxfords which are typically worn for these two formal dress codes.

Who said loafers are casual? The so called Opera Pumps are one of the most formal type of footwear in a man’s wardrobe. The patent leather on the left is the classic style decorated with a grosgrain ribbon. The suede pair on the left is a bit more fashion-forward but an excellent choice for those opting to wear a tux with suede lapels.

Thanks for Visiting my Site.

Hendrik

Learn to Tie an Oriental Tie Knot

The Oriental is a very easy to tie knot that is small in size and narrow in shape. It is perfect for ties made from a thicker fabric worn in combination with narrow spread, as well as button down collars. I tend to choose the Oriental knot for my thicker Regimental ties. The thick Mogador fabric, and/or Irish Poplin commonly used for these ties, makes it difficult to tie a knot that fits between the narrow spread collar of my oxford dress shirts. The four in Hand, while also small in size, is a bit too wide for this very specific shirt and tie combination. The Oriental knot on the other hand is perfect.

Pros:

• Easy to tie
• Takes little of the tie’s fabric (perfect for taller men tying a normal length tie)
• Great for ties made from thicker/heavier fabric
• Ideal for very narrow spread shirt collars

Cons:

• Unsuited for wide spread shirt collars
• Slips easily and needs to be re-tightened occasionally
• Flat and narrow shape makes it unsuited for most silk ties

Oriental Tie Knot Instructions:

Lay the tie around your flipped-up collar, with the inner stitching facing outwards on both ends. About 3/4 of the length of the tie should hang down on the broad end.

Wrap the wide end around the narrow end. Then pull the wide end of the tie around the piece wrapping your neck (see image). Don’t pull tight quite yet, but leave a loop at the front.

Pull the wide and through the loop created in step 2.

Pull the knot tight, turn down the collar, and center it.

Other Exotic Tie Knots:
Learn to Tie the Kelvin Tie Knot
Tie a Manhattan Tie Knot

A Wardrobe that Even the Top 1% Can’t Afford

The world’s most expensive wardrobe comes in at a whopping $6.6 Million – a price tag that will make even the Top 1% feel poor. Using Bloomberg’s Top 1% income figure of $350K, it would take the average 1% earner over 30 years of frugal lifestyle to afford such lavishness. To put things in perspective, $6.6 Million is enough to feed 90,000 starving children in Africa for an entire year (figure taken from the United Nations World Food Programme). I think this is the perfect example that money can’t buy style, and certainly can’t buy class.

Stuart Hughes Men’s Suit – $900,000
The world’s most expensive suit was a collaboration between luxury designer Stuart Hughes and tailor Richard Jewels. The suit is constructed out of fine cashmere and silk blend, and is decorated with a trip of 480 diamonds with a total weight of 240 carats. Apparently it took a master tailor 600 hours to create.

Eton’s 80th Anniversary Dress Shirt – $45,000
Cheap in comparison to the suit featured above is this limited edition dress shirt by Swedish shirt maker Eton. The luxury shirt maker created this piece in celebration of its 80th anniversary. The shirt is constructed from fine Egyptian cotton, and of course dozens of diamonds on the studs and cufflinks. Best of all, there is no need to feel guilty for this lavish spending since all proceeds will go to Charity.

Jacob & Co. Cufflinks – $4.2 Million
If the “free” diamond cufflinks that come with the Eton shirt (shown above) aren’t flashy enough, then Jacob & Co designed the perfect upgrade for you. The centerpiece on each cufflink features a 10.5 carat yellow diamond framed with an additional 5 carats of baguette cut diamonds.

Patek Philippe “Sky Moon Tourbillon” – $1.1 Million
Compared to the world’s most expensive men’s wrist watch (1735 Blancpain @ $8.39 Mil), Swiss watch maker Patek Philippe created a bargain timepiece. Although one would expect a flashy diamond encrusted bezel for such a price tag, the designer uses ordinary gold and leather instead. It is a lavish yet impressive double-faced timepiece that features a sidereal time display, perpetual calendar, stars motion side display, and moon phases.

Necktie by Satya Paul – $223,000
Still looking to add more flash and bling to your ourfit? Then this quarter million dollar necktie will be perfect. Designer Satya Paul created this lavish tie from silk and white gold yarns, and decorated it with 261 diamonds (77 carat in weight). After finding this tie, I thought about what tie knot would suit it best, but couldn’t decide on one. Regardless of the price, I find this the most tacky piece on this “most expensive wardrobe”.

Crocodile Skin Umbrella – $50,000
Perfect for the rainy season this winter is this $50,000 umbrella, designed and created by Italian Formula One mogul Flavio Briatore and designer Angelo Galasso. It is constructed out of genuine crocodile skin that is actually water resistant.

Moro Alligator Skin Dress Shoe by A. Testoni – $38,000
To finish this billionaire’s outfit, I picked out these $38,000 cheap dress shoes by Bolognia’s luxury shoe maker A. Testoni. It not only Testoni’s most expensive shoe to date, but it is the most expensive men’s dress shoe in the world. It is made from alligator skin that will be the perfect compliment to the $50,000 umbrella featured above.

Think I missed an accessory for this billionaire’s wardrobe? Then tell me in a comment below.

Hendrik
Tie-a-Tie.net

The Art of Mastering the Popular Kelvin Tie Knot

You may ask yourself: “what is the point for yet another tie knot? I already know the four in hand as well as the Windsor. Shouldn’t this be enough?” Well, for 9 out of 10 shirt & tie combinations, these two knots will work just fine. But when tying a skinny tie you may want to consider the so-called Kelvin knot. The Kelvin has a longish shape and is a bit thicker than the four in hand, while being narrower than a double Windsor. My tip for this knot: wear it with a skinny tie (2 to 2.5 inches) made from either cotton (great for summer), or worsted wool (excellent winter choice). These 5 step instructions will help you master the Kelvin knot in just a couple minutes. Print them out, tape them next to a mirror, and simply copy these 5 steps.

Step 1:
I suggest you practice in front of a mirror. Flip up your collar and turn your tie around so that the stitching shows. The wide should hang about 3/4 down compared to the narrow end.

Step 2:
Create a tight wrap around the narrow end using the wider end of the tie.

Step 3:
Create a second wrap, but this time to not pull tight. Instead leave a loop on top of the tie. This will be needed to secure the tie knot (in step 5).

Step 4:
Take the wide end of the tie and feed it between collar and the part of the tie that goes around your neck.

Step 5:
Last but not least, secure the knot by feeding the wide end through the loop on to of the knot. Pull tight, flip down your collar, and center the tie.