It is a more important subject than it might seem. Behind this small piece of fabric lies a symbolic accessory whose sole purpose is pure aesthetics—a touch of sartorial refinement. Whether for work or pleasure, the aim is to elevate your look; we always recommend choosing your tie with thoughtful care.
So, where to start?
Wearing a tie well starts with choosing the right one. Beyond the rules, traditions and sartorial advice that follow, the main thing to remember when picking a tie is enjoyment. It is a piece to vary according to your mood or the occasion, one that should bring a touch of pleasure when coordinating your outfits.
How to make the right choice?
Natural fabrics
We might as well tell you right away: avoid synthetic fabrics entirely. The finest ties are crafted exclusively from noble, natural materials. Silk offers strength, a subtle sheen and a fluid drape, far removed from the stiff polyester ties that flood the market. Wool is well suited to flannel suits and tweed jackets. Linen, on the other hand, works wonderfully with more relaxed summer outfits.
The choice of pattern depends on the context and how you wear your tie
Recommended width
Unless you have a distinctive build, where you might explore the extremes, we recommend choosing a tie between 5 and 9 centimetres in width. For our part, we opted for a width of 7 centimetres across all our ties, the easiest to wear with every collar style we offer. For smaller frames, a slim 5-centimetre version has been designed for select models.
Plain or patterned
When it comes to colour, texture and pattern, very little is off-limits, except for novelty cartoon characters. The choice of pattern (plain, stripes, polka dots, marled, textured) depends on the context and how you wear the tie. A bolder tie will be highlighted well by understated, classic clothing in darker tones. Conversely, a plain navy blue tie pairs nicely with a striped shirt or even a patterned suit, serving as the necessary graphic touch for a coherent look.
How to integrate your tie seamlessly into your outfit
Colour matching
Ah, the eternal question of combining colours! When choosing your tie, it is important to consider your entire outfit. Neutral colours such as a deep navy blue, a burgundy or a classic grey have the advantage of pairing easily with most of your shirts, but they can also lack stylistic flair. To avoid an overly understated look, play with subtle patterns! A polka dot or club-style tie will imtely make the ensemble more dynamic and distinctive, without being much harder to match.
Matching materials
It often goes overlooked, but the interplay of textures is just as important as colour! A smooth silk tie is a fail-safe choice, provided it is well made. (In fact, all our ties are handcrafted in Italy by a specialist workshop dedicated to fabrics for ties and bow ties. Everything is crafted on-site, from knitting to the final fold.) Wool ties are particularly suited to winter outfits, though they can also be worn during the warmer months. They offer that distinctive handle—soft, supple and slightly less formal than a classic silk tie.
What to do with the blade tail?
To avoid a tie looking overly stiff and formal—which often detracts from its appeal as a sharp accessory—and to add a touch of ease, skip tucking the tail into the keeper loop. Let your tie move naturally, and keep in mind that letting the tail show slightly is by no means a misstep! Ideally, both ends should sit at roughly the same length. Failing that, allowing the tail to show slightly is perfectly acceptable.
An important reminder: the tip of your tie should reach your belt line. No more, no less.
Which knot should you choose?
The four-in-hand knot
Quick and easy to tie, it suits almost every collar style, particularly narrower spreads such as the point collar, English spread or club collar. You can tie it with a slim, knitted or heavier tie. If you opt for a wool or knitted tie, feel free to double wrap it to keep it securely in place, and make sure to pull the knot firmly. That way, your tie won't budge!
The Windsor knot
This type of knot is most commonly seen in professional settings or at weddings. It is a wide knot, often best suited to shirts with wider collar spreads, such as our semi-cutaway collar. Thanks to its clean symmetry, it is often seen as more formal and structured. When tied neatly, this knot looks impeccable, but it can easily appear sloppy if not executed properly. Do practise if you like this style! And stick to the four-in-hand knot if you want to play it safe, even with cutaway collars.
The Old Bertie knot
Both smart and casual. It is trickier to master than the simple knot, but it offers many advantages. Notably, it is more substantial and generous than the four-in-hand, and less formal than the full Windsor. In short, if you had to pick just one...
The tie you choose and the way you wear it say a lot about your personality, your professionalism or your free spirit. It is an accessory that is anything but trivial, which, when well matched, can prove to be a very powerful communication tool.
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