Suitable Neckties

Whether you need to suit up for a day at the office or you are looking for a dapper evening outfit, a tie can help to complete your look with an elegant touch of added color or texture. Although the days when a man couldn't see himself in an office or on the street without a tie are long gone, a men's tie is nevertheless a stylish piece of clothing that is still an indispensable part of formal men's fashion today. That is why we aim to offer the right tie for any occasion at Suitable. All our ties at SuitableShop are made in limited editions, which means that new silk ties are regularly available on our website.

The number of tie designs in our collection is very extensive: you will find plain, striped, and textured ties, but also ties with surprising patterns such as paisley designs and checks. Read on to learn about the different types of ties, how to wear a tie to complete your look, and the history of the necktie.

The history of the necktie

Since Roman times, soldiers wore something around their necks as part of the uniform. Often this was no more than a colored scarf. The tie was introduced to men's fashion during the beginning of the 17th century. Croatian mercenaries, hired by the French king Louis XIV during the Thirty Years' War, wore a knotted handkerchief around their necks as part of their uniforms. Besides being functional, these pieces of cloth also served as a decoration. These small handkerchiefs sparked the interest of the Parisians, who at that time was already very sensitive to fashion. The accessory received the name "cravate" after its Croatian origin. King Louis XIV soon started wearing a cravat and subsequently set the standard for the French nobility. Over the next centuries, the cravat evolved into the modern necktie that is still worn today.

Different knots

If you often wear a suit and tie, you will learn some style rules to keep in mind. One of these is choosing the right knot. There are many different knots to tie your tie with, but when do you go for which knot? Picking the right tie knot mainly depends on two things: the thickness of your tie and your collar's shape. A wide knot or a thick fabric goes with a wide collar, and a thin knot goes with a long collar. The shape of your face is another factor that determines how your tie knot will look. Simply put, it is better to go for a little knot if you have a longer face and to choose a wider or thicker knot if you have a round face or a wide neck. This will balance your look and make sure that your outfit compliments your features.

Colors and patterns

Men are often in doubt about which color tie to choose. This partly depends on what best suits your skin color, your jacket, and your shirt. Go for a shade that contrasts with your look and matches with the other parts of your outfit. On the other hand, some colors have their own characteristics that determine how they will affect your outfit. For example, red is often seen as a color that radiates strength and is regularly worn by politicians. Alternatively, blue exudes calm and self-confidence and is a great color for important meetings or job interviews. While a plain-colored tie has always been a solid choice, the demand for ties with a pattern rose again in recent years. Popular patterns include checks, repp stripes, paisley designs, and polka dots. But above all, go for what you like and what suits your style.

How to style your tie

Be sure to pay attention to the way you tie your necktie. Looser knots are fashionable and express a casual nonchalance. If you're wearing a tie to work or a formal event, your tie should be tied more tightly and sit snugly at the top of your shirt collar. Don't pull too hard on it, though, because a knot that is too tight doesn't look good either. Men with a long upper body should not tie a knot that requires a lot of fabric because they are bound to come out too short. If you do prefer a wide knot, it might be better to look for extra long ties. After wearing a tie, be sure to store it the right way. Before your silk tie disappears into your closet, be sure to remove the knot so that the tie can go back to its original shape. It is best to hang ties to prevent any creases. If you do store them in a drawer, the tip should never be kinked. Another option is to place the tie loosely rolled up in a sturdy shoe.

Materials used for your neckwear

Although ties can be made from many different materials, most quality ties exist of silk. Some neckwear exists of a blend that can also include cotton, linen, or wool. Wool ties look great with heavier-weight suits and tweed sport coats. Note that these are delicate materials that should be dry-cleaned only.

Knit ties

If you're looking for something less conventional than a regular tie but still want to look elegant, a knit tie is a great option. Our knit neckwear is made from silk or synthetic fiber, but wool is also sometimes used for knit ties. The great thing about a silk knit tie is that it's both dressy and casual at the same time. It pairs perfectly with a white dress shirt and a suit, but it also looks great when worn casually with a denim shirt. It adds an extra layer of style to whatever type of shirt you are wearing.

Wedding ties

Suitableshop offers several ties that are specially made for the big day. Our collection of wedding ties include an off-white herringbone tie with a matching pocket square, a complete wedding set of an off-white satin tie, pocket square, and cufflinks. These sets combine perfectly with our wedding waistcoats. We also offer two beautiful wedding ties made by Profuomo. You can choose from a white silk tie with a paisley pattern or a silk tie with a subtle striped design off-white.

Tie width

Narrow ties have been trendy in recent years, so the chances are that you also might have several skinny ties in your closet. Although nowadays, both skinny ties and wider ties are in fashion, the essential part is how you wear them. Here the rule is simple: in general, with a narrow tie, you go for a thin knot. The opposite is true for wider ones. Also, it is wise to take a look at the thickness of the fabric of your tie. Logically, your knot will get a lot bigger if the fabric of your tie is thick. So this is certainly something to take into account before you tie a double Windsor! Although there is no golden standard for a tie's right width, the standard tie is currently three inches or eight centimeters at its widest part. This was roughly the same as at the beginning of the 20th century when this type of necktie became popular. In the 1920s and 1930s, you saw the tie's width increase, and you could find ties of up to five inches or twelve centimeters. This is still visible when you look at American gangster films. In the 1950s and 1960s, ties started becoming narrower again.

Tie length

Something that is not as debatable as the width of a tie is its length. The length of a standard tie is five feet or one and a half meters. Because this is too long for a single piece of fabric, you, therefore, see a dividing seam halfway along the tie at its thinnest part. The dividing seam is always slanted because a tie is cut diagonally from the fabric. If you're going for a four-in-hand knot, the dividing seam should rest on your neck before you start to tie to get the right length. If you want to tie a thicker knot, the seam should be positioned more to your right. No matter how short or tall you are or which type of knot you have tied, the tip of your tie should touch your waistband.

Suitable accessories for your tie

A tie clip is an excellent accessory for any man who regularly wears a suit and tie and would like to add something extra. Go for a simple shape for a classic look, or a try more pronounced tie clip with a touch of color or texture. A tie clip should be ¾ of the width of your tie. Wear your tie clip between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt, and it will be at the right height and stay perfectly in place.