Three New Tie Trends to Look Out for 2012

Dear fellow tie and men’s fashion aficionado. Before talking about new tie fashion trends emerging for 2012 I wanted to thank you for such a great 2011. I appreciate you visiting my site and telling your friends about my tie-a-tie resource. For 2012 I made it my goal to continue growing this site by providing more tie-related fashion information. I also want to expand my dress code section, add a few new video tutorials, and add a few new different tie knots.

What is New in Stores for 2012?

I spend my Holidays in the Los Angeles together with my family, and I took the chance to to some “tie shopping” along the infamous Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive. I looked at new collections by Brioni, Feragamo, Tom Ford, Gucci, Brooks Brothers, Versache, DG, Hermes, and many more high end men’s fashion establishments. Out of the hundreds of ties that I inspected and tied into a variety of knots, I picked out two new ones by Tom Ford. In general I was impressed with Ford’s eye for new styles, colors, and fabrics. Their fall and winter collection already impressed me with unique fabric weaves and blends. Quite common among several high end retailers were wool and silk blends woven into the most elaborate and intricate fabric textures. This trend continued into the spring season but wool is being replaced by lighter “summertime” fabrics such as linen and cotton.

Besides unique fabrics, a few new patterns appeared to be popular by several high end brands. One of the most visible patterns (specially by Tom Ford) is the micro hounds-tooth check in a monochromatic color scheme. Also popular among several designers is the idea of using two contrasting, yet complimentary colors on the narrow part and the wide part of the tie. This will create a different colored knot then the rest of the tie – something that I personally have not seen in previous seasons.

Finally, let’s talk colors for spring 2011. Pastel tones in light blue, rose, peach, coral, and pink are popular choices among several brands. In addition to these classic spring colors, I noticed a few designs add light berry purples to their collections.

If I had to pick a winner and looser of all the dozen plus designers I visited then Tom Ford deserves the gold medal for design, creativity, and elegance in my book. The brands that didn’t impress me were D&G as well as Versache.

Thanks for Visiting.

Hendrik Pohl
Tie-a-Tie.net

Funniest Video Teaching You to Tie a Tie

As a tie aficionado I am always on the lookout for tie related topics that are worth writing about. In my quest to find an interesting topic I came across a very funny, and also quite strange video teaching you to tie a tie. The guys over at Mens-Ties.com took a fluorescent necktie and tied it under black light. An ingenious idea that, I must jealously admit, I came up with.

The figure in the video wears a black spandex suit, also known as Zentai suit, and ties several different tie knots such as the Four in Hand, half Windsor, and double Windsor. Although meant to be funny, the instructions are clear and easy to follow (even though only music is playing). I found these videos so interesting and funny that I had to share it on my blog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Here is the video on the four in Hand knot:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Hendrik

The Dimpled Tie Knot

You may have heard men talk about “dimpling their tie knot”. It may look easy, but creating the perfect dimple takes a little bit of practice. Basically the dimple is fold of the tie’s fabric near the knot. It gives the tie a more interesting look, adds more depth, and gives the tie more texture. Knowing how to make a dimple will differentiate the sophisticated tie wearer form the necktie newbie. Below I am giving three tips that will guarantee a perfectly dimpled necktie.

#1: Choose the Right Knot
Some knots are better for the dimple then others. Two great knots for the dimple is the four in Hand as well as the Pratt knot. I never exactly figured out why these two knots are better suited, but fact is they just create a better dimple.

#2: Pinch the Tie
To make the dimple simply pinch the tie near the knot to make it look like a “W” right before tightening it. Create the dimple with your hands first and then secure it by pulling the knot tight. Give the knots a final pinch once tightened and the dimple will stay in place.

#3: Best Ties for Dimpled Knots
Some ties are easier to dimple than others. Best and easiest to dimple are ties made from a coarser fabric such as fine ribbed textured silk. The coarser fabric creates more friction that prevents the dimple from loosing it’s shape.

Other Related Blog Posts by Me:
Guide to The Tie Bar
Mens Dress Shirt Collar Guide

Tie Knot Tips for the Big & Tall

If you are tall then tying a necktie to the right length might sound like an all-too-familiar problem. In the ideal world you would only have ties that are a few inches longer than the average necktie, but in reality finding a good selection of fashionable ties in XL length is quite difficult. If you own a few ties that are too short for your stature, then this article is right for you. In this post I will give the big and tall man tips on how to tie a normal length necktie.

There are four things that factor into the right length needed: Your height, your neck/collar size, the type of tie knot you want to tie, and the size of your belly. There is no doubt that tall men will need a longer than average necktie. To make it easier to decide whether or not you need a normal or XL sized tie, do this: Add together your height and neck size in inches. If the sum is larger than 92 inches then you should be shopping for XL sized ties that are 61-63 inches in length (untied). Or you may also use my Tie Length Calculator

Big & Tall Men Tying Normal Length Ties
99% of all regular length ties are 57-59 inches in length (untied), and will be a good fit for men between 5 feet and 6 foot 2 inches. Even if you are taller, there are a few things you can do to tie a normal sized tie to the right length (ending near your belt buckle). Here are my top 3 tips:

1. Tie a smaller tie knot: Knots like the Windsor take up more of your tie’s length. The best knot here (one that takes the least amount of fabric) is the Four in Hand knot. It is a smaller knot and best for narrow spread collars.
2. Go to a tailor: Go and research for a good tailor. Sites like Yelp.com will make finding a knowledgeable tailor a piece of cake. Have him/her add 4 to five inches of fabric at the narrow part of the necktie. There is no need to try and match the fabric of the tie since it will not be visible. Excellent fabrics are felt and cotton.
3. Wear a 3-Piece Suit: Personally, I am a huge fan of the three piece suit. Only the top few inches of the tie will be visible, and no one will notice a tie that has been tied to short. What does matter is the perfection of the tie knot. Since only a small portion of the tie is visible, the knot will take center-stage.

Other Interesting Blog Posts:
Tying a Tie That is Too Long – Tie Knot Tips for Shorter Men

Thanks for visiting my Site & Blog!

Hendrik

How to Wear a Tie Bar

If you follow men’s fashion then you may have noticed models in GQ, Esquire magazine, JCrew catalogs, billboards, and every other fashion oriented publication, dressed up wearing metal clips on their neckties. These tie accessories, also known as tie-bars, have gained much popularity in recent years. Below I am giving you some basic tips on how to wear a tie bar.

Tie Bars, Clips, Pins, and Co
Nowadays most people simply call them “Tie Bars”. But not every tie bar is created equal. Some slide on, others attach with a spring loaded clip, and others again pin right through the tie. When shopping for tie bars I suggest you choose one that slides over the tie since clips are too bulk and pins can damage the tie. Fore more information on all the different available styles please see my page on Tie Accessories.

Why Tie Bars?
The the bar was initially invented to prevent a tie from dangling around too much. It is not surprising that tie bars became more popular with the invention of slimmer, so-called skinny ties in the 1960s which tent to dangle quite uncontrollably. Soon the tie bar became a must have accessory for the skinny tie and combined function with fashion. In the 1970s, 80s, and 90s ties became wider again and tie bars became less common. Since the skinny tie experienced a re-birth a few years ago, tie bars are also celebrating a come-back.

Best Ties for Tie Bars
Best are slimmer, European neckties that have a width between 2 and 3.25 inches. Although tie bars can be worn with any design and tie color, it usually looks best when they accessorize plain and elegant solid color neckties in darker contrasting colors, such as navy and classic black.

Tie Bar Colors and Materials
Typically tie bars are silver or gold. Lower cost models typically are made from stainless steel while more expensive pieces are handmade from sterling silver, platinum, and gold. Typically the simpler and sleeker the design, the more formal and classy the tie bar will appear. When choosing between silver and gold colored tie bar you want to pair them to all other metals on your ensemble such as the buckle on your belt, your watch, and cuff links.

Thanks for visiting my site.

Hendrik

Elegant Business Attire in Black & White

Typically the simpler a look the more formal it will be. It is not surprising that formal dress codes like Black Tie and White Tie consist solely of clothing items in either black or white. Although black and white ensembles are typically considered to be formal and non-business-like, there are in fact ways you can create an outfit using only these two colors that is perfect for everyday office wear. Below are some tips to use only black and white for traditional office attire.

1. Patterns
One way to dress down a formal color is by using certain fabric patterns. Typically the larger and more noticeable a pattern the less formal it will look. Black suits with pin stripes are a perfect example, but also wearing a tie with playful polka dots or intricate paisley design will do the trick of “dressing down”.

2. Cuts & Styles
You can also create a more casual look by using more modern and trendy cuts. Suits can have narrow lapels, pants can be straight-cut with no cuffs, dress shirts can have a cut-away collar, and neckties can be slim and skinny. All this will take away from formality, and at the same time will add a trendier touch.

3. Presentation
Even if every clothing item is formal by itself, it can be casual and more relaxed if presented a certain way. Neckties can be worn a bit looser with the top shirt button left unbuttoned, pocket squares can be folded in a more casual way (have the look at the “puff fold” in my tutorial on How to Fold a Pocket Square for instance), and jackets can be left open and loose.

4. Combinations
Color, cut, and presentation are not the only things that can dress down a formal outfit. Also just as effective are adding certain clothing items and/or accessories that are much more casual. A pair for black canvas shoes added to classic black suit, white shirt, and black skinny tie, is a good example.

Other Readings You May Like:
My Tips for Matching a Pink Tie
Matching Ties and Pocket Squares

How to Wear Pink Ties

Ever since celebrity and business tycoon Donal Trump showcased the solid bright pink tie on his TV series “The Apprentice”, businessmen all over the US coming from all industries are adding pink ties to their collection of neckwear. Before you add a pink tie to your ensemble however, there are a few basic dress rules you should follow. Below I am outlining three main conundrums for wearing the pink tie.

#1 Season:
Just like it is considered a fashion Faux Pas to wear white pants after labor day, pink ties should only be worn during the spring and summer season. Wearing a pink necktie with a tan colored suit on a cold and rainy day during Fall just doesn’t look right. Thus, reserve your pink ties for the months from March through August, and avoid the summer look the pink tie during rainy, cold, and overcast days.

#2 Suit Colors & Patterns:
Since pink is a color for spring and summer it must be matched with a complementing outfit. Excellent suit colors for pink ties are tan, beige, navy, light gray, and even charcoal. Just as important as the suit color is the fabric. Match the pink tie with a summer suit made from a lighter wool, cotton, seersucker, and even linen. What you want to avoid are heavy fabrics and darker earth-tones such as olive and dark brown. Just like the fabric should be lighter in weight, the pattern should be delicate and subtle. Perfect suit patterns are fine pin-stripes, very light checks, as well as solids.

#3 Accessories
Just like the suit color, fabric, and pattern need to harmonize with the “summer look”, the accessories you choose need to be equally “summer like”. Should you decide to add a pocket square to your ensemble then a matching pink one would be perfect. (You may also want to read my guide on How to Fold a Pocket Square). Dress shoes should have a thinner and lighter sole that is preferable made from leather rather than a winter-like rubber. Excellent shoe, and also belt colors, are any shade of brown as well as classic black.

May I also Suggest:
Ties & Pocket Squares
Style Tips for Skinny Ties

Thank you for visiting my site!

Hendrik

How to Store Your Ties

You can probably guess that I am quite the tie aficionado. In fact, over the years I have collected over a hundred different neckties in all imaginable colors, designs, and cuts. As my tie collection grew, finding a particular tie became more and more difficult. Eventually I decided to store my ties in a way that allowed me to quickly find the one I had been looking for. Below I am giving you tips to store your neckties.

Buy a Tie Rack or Two
In my biased opinion specialty made tie racks are the way to go – especially if you have over two dozen different ties. Not only will it be easy to quickly see your entire collection, but quality tie racks will also protect the fabric of the tie. When shopping for a tie rack there are a few things you want to consider: How many ties fit on the rack, how secure are the ties (can they slide off easily), and finally how easy is it to remove and/or hang a tie on the tie rack? After trying a few different tie rack designs I decided that I prefer those tie racks that you can mount inside of your closet door. The individual hangers fold in, keeping the needed storage space at a minimum, while at the same time making it easy to quickly find the tie you have been looking for.

Don’t Overstuff
I suggest you don’t over-stuff your tie rack for two reasons: First, keeping some space between the ties allows the fabric to breathe which will eliminate odors. Second, having some space between each tie makes it much easier to find the tie you are looking for.

Sort by Color
When matching a tie to shirt and suit it is the color that matters most. Thus, it makes sense to sort your neckties by color and to arrange them from light to dark. I actually have seven different tie racks that I mounted on the inside of my closer door. The colors are as follows: Red ties, yellow and green ties, black white silver ties, blue ties, brown and burgundy ties, orange pink and purple ties, multi-colored neckties.

I hope this tie storage advice was helpful. Should you not want to spend money on a tie rack then you can also use a hanger, or roll up your ties and place them into a drawer. Regardless of which method you choose, make sure that your ties are not hung in direct sunlight as this may cause colors to fade.

Other Blog Posts You Might Like:
Tie Tips & Tricks
Skinny Tie Style Tips

Thank you for visiting my site!

Hendrik

New to Tie-a-Tie.net: Pocket Square Folding Guide

Hello fellow tie aficionado, I am excited to have added a new section to my Tie-a-Tie site teaching you five popular and stylish ways you can fold a pocket square. Besides teaching you step by step instructions on how to do each fold, I also describe what outfit and what type of dress code is best suited for each folding method.

Why Adding a Pocket Square?
The pocket square is a perfect compliment to your tie. Even if you decide to go “tie-less”, a pocket square can add some nice accent color to your outfit. If you are new to pocket squares then I suggest to go with a solid colored one (preferably white). Don’t try to match your tie color exactly but instead choose a complimenting color. For more information I suggest you also read my article on Ties & Pocket Squares.

Currently I only have illustrations but I am planning to also add some pocket square folding videos over the next few months. Should you have any questions, comments, or advice on how to make this guide better then please let me know. I am looking forward to your feedback!

Thank you for stopping by.

Hendrik

Just Added: Mens White Tie Dress Code

Hello visitor, over the past few weeks I have worked on another dress code guide, and I am excited to have uploaded my tutorial on men’s White Tie attire. Obviously, your feedback is appreciated. Should you have anything to add to my dress code guide, or have any suggestions for further improvement then I would like to hear from you.

Thanks for Visiting My Site

Hendrik