How to choose the right tie?

The tie holds a special place in the men's wardrobe. It is undoubtedly the most important piece in a man's wardrobe that does not serve to cover part of the body. Whether at the office in certain professions or at events, a tie is required. Yet in recent years, thanks to renewed interest in sartorial style fuelled by the internet, ties have increasingly been worn for pleasure too. All our advice to help you choose your tie with confidence! A little history The word tie comes from Croatian (a reminder of a recent World Cup final). Under Louis XIII, Croatian hussars fighting for France wore a silk ribbon around their necks. This accessory greatly intrigued the French nobility at the time, who were quick to adopt it, before the fashion spread across Europe. The tie as we know it today dates from the end of the 19th century. Colour Blue Blue is perfect if you do not want to take risks. A navy tie will go with almost anything: a navy, grey or beige suit, a sky-blue, white or pink shirt. A medium-blue or sky-blue tie is an excellent choice to start with. Burgundy If you want to move away from blue, burgundy is a safe choice. Less vivid than primary red, it will enhance your outfit—and you, by extension. You can easily wear a burgundy tie with a blue or grey suit and a white shirt or blue one. Grey Alongside blue and burgundy, which are safe choices, you can also turn to red, dark green, grey or brown without being overly adventurous. A bright grey, for example, can prove to be a very good alternative. The fabric For many, ties rhyme with silk. Yet silk is not the only fabric you will find in ties. First, there is a variation that is very fashionable at the moment: silk grenadine. Its distinctive textured appearance is part of its charm. Silk grenadine ties are notable for being made on traditional looms. With a blue silk grenadine or burgundy tie, you cannot go wrong Cotton A great shirt classic, cotton is also a fabric found in ties. Appreciated for its suppleness, it can be blended with silk, wool or linen depending on the season. Linen Linen is a fabric made for summer, and one you will find in ties. It brings a raw quality, with an irregularity in the fabric that sets it apart from the usual smooth silk ties. Wool When temperatures turn cooler, wool is ideal, offering a fuller appearance in terms of volume. It will help bring texture and depth to your outfit. Patterns If you do not want to take risks, a plain tie is a safe choice. However, you can also opt for discreet patterns such as houndstooth, puppytooth or Prince of Wales check.A polka-dot tie is an excellent alternative. It is safe, modern and adds a touch of originality. The striped tie, also known as a "regimental tie", is not widely worn in France, but can help you stand out with some very fine patterns.Finally, the more daring can try more original patterns, such as Paisley. Polka dots A pattern can perfectly complement an already pronounced texture: interesting details that bring energy to an otherwise understated outfit, such as this polka-dot design. Houndstooth Houndstooth is the large-scale variation of puppytooth. A pattern that stands out while retaining a pleasing harmony. An optical effect. Pince-de-Galles A pattern that has become a great classic, the Prince of Wales check is one of the most refined checks! Tone on tone, it remains discreet without losing interest. Width It is important that a tie is neither too wide nor too narrow, and that it suits your build. A width of 7 or 8 centimetres will suit most people. For a modern look, you can also opt for a slightly slimmer tie, between 5 and 6 centimetres. Be careful, however: the width of your tie should be proportionate to that of your jacket lapels. No wide lapels with a slim tie. We hope you are now well equipped to navigate the wonderful world of ties with ease.