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Ties may not be as common today as they were decades ago, but they still serve a purpose: to add formality and personality to an outfit. Wedding Shawl
Turner Allen, a men’s personal stylist whose clients range from executives at Google and Facebook to young professionals who simply want a better wardrobe, thinks ties can even be more meaningful because they’re not a must in most settings.
“Now is the perfect time to embrace ties as a means of expressing your unique style,” Allen told the New York Post. “[You can opt] for a fun tie to liven up your suit or pair one with a casual outfit like an oxford button-down and jeans, ties should be seen as enjoyable accessories rather than bothersome necessities.”
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, wading through all your tie options online and in-store would take way too long. So Allen, along with two other tie experts — Jordan Stolch, celebrity stylist turned personal stylist, and Jennifer Mahoney, a 20-year veteran of the men’s apparel industry — gave us the 411 on the best ties to buy for different occasions and tastes.
The stylists included a mix of budget-friendly and luxury ties from both small and big retailers, including The Tie Bar, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. See the FAQ section down below for some helpful tips on choosing the right tie and a video showing you how to tie a tie.
Later, check out our guides on the best men’s belts and the best men’s dress shirts to complete your wardrobe.
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“If you’ve been on the hunt for the quintessential all-purpose tie, look no further than this option from Bonobos,” said Stolch. With a 3″ width and 23 designs to choose from, this 100-percent Italian silk tie creates options for any outfit or occasion.
For those who are not sure what color to choose, Stolch prefers navy because she said it “exudes sophistication and is sure to become one of the most worn styles in your collection.”
“This knit style from Tie Bar is the perfect option for dressing up a date-night or evening-out look,” said Stolch. “Pair it with dark denim and a crisp white oxford button down and blazer, and let the burgundy tie become the focal point of your effortless ensemble.”
Certain colors, such as the burgundy pictured above, are available in both wool and silk varieties, so you have a few fabric options to consider. Another nice feature is the pointed shape, which is less common in knit ties and helps this one blend into your outfits more easily.
“A subtle printed tie never fails to add depth and dimension,” said Stolch about this gray-blue option. She likes how easily it fits with both gray and navy suits, making it a versatile choice for just about any suiting occasion.
The tie’s grenadine weave gives it a lightweight, gauze-like feel that can help brighten up your outfit. The brand’s red option is pretty charming, too.
Even if gray suits aren’t an office staple anymore, a nice gray tie looks good with any shirt or suit color. This one is also available in black and navy, and is made of 100-percent silk.
Stolch chose this modern skinny tie because she likes how it adds a contemporary finish to any ensemble. “Perfect with trousers to the office or jeans after work, this slim style will seamlessly transition from casual to formal,” she said.
“Striped ties have stood the test of time in men’s fashion,” said Allen. “They are considered a classic choice that never goes out of style, making this tie from Todd Snyder a safe and reliable option for the office.”
This tie is stitched by hand and made using silk from England’s Stephen Walters mill, which has been producing top-notch fabrics for over 300 years. Also available in navy and light blue.
“This cotton-linen blend tie from Hugo Boss exudes a sense of polish that’s neither overly formal nor too laid-back,” said Stolch.
Its woven pattern and neutral blue color help it pair equally well with jeans, chinos and suit pants. Plus, its narrow width — common among modern ties — makes it suitable for any body type.
Although black ties are usually worn only for formal occasions, the knit structure of this tie gives it a more casual look that you can also enjoy in office settings.
“This knitted silk tie says ‘quiet luxury’ thanks to its combination of quality and simplicity,” said Allen. “It’s understated without entirely blending in and makes an impact, all while maintaining a sense of restraint.”
“Tom Ford is known for his impeccable masculine styling with subtle hints of individuality. Case in point, this luxurious silk tie in midnight blue,” said Stolch. “The geometric grid texture creates a distinguished, sophisticated look that’s sure to become the centerpiece of your outfit without appearing as if you’re trying too hard.”
With its mix of blue, black and white, this tie works well with any suit. So if you want a high-end tie that’s also versatile, this is the one.
“Whether you’re a literary fan or movie buff, this tie from Turnbull & Asser is a replica of the one Jay Gatsby wore in the 1974 film ‘The Great Gatsby,'” said Allen. “Although originally pale blue, this version features a bright orange that’s perfect for adding a splash of color to your look.”
In addition to being made of 100-percent silk, this luxury tie choice uses a specific kind of construction — known as slip stitching — to help it avoid creases and maintain its original shape even after being tied in a knot all day.
“If you’re on a budget, try this Penguin tie from Nordstrom Rack,” said Mahoney. “The tonal glen plaid in pink is a perfect accent with any color to any suit or sport coat.”
At 2.5″ wide, this tie is a great middle point between full-width ties and super skinny ones. It’s made from a polyester blend, so it won’t wrinkle easily either.
Stolch likes how the unexpected color and print of this tie lets anyone easily add a dash of personality to their outfit. “For a casual look, pair this green floral tie with jeans and a chambray button down, or dress it up with a navy suit for weddings and formal functions,” she said.
Since this tie is made from linen, it makes it ideal for lighter-colored suits and summery outfits, and it’s also available in a light blue version if that’s more your style. Both colors come in different widths, too: the green is available in skinny and super-skinny, while the blue is available in skinny and full-width.
As man’s best friend, dogs deserve to be recognized on neckties.
This cute pattern is fun without going over the top, and it makes an excellent gift for dog owners. J.Crew Factory’s silk ties come in a range of patterns and colors, so even if this option isn’t your favorite, you can easily find the right one by heading to their site. Most of them are heavily discounted, too!
(NOTE: This is a replacement for an expert-picked tie that was out of stock upon publication.)
“A brown tie makes for an excellent alternative to classic navy, especially when it features an interesting design,” said Stolch. With a width just over 3″ and 100-percent silk construction, it’s perfectly on-trend without being trendy.
Stolch recommends pairing this tie with a crisp button down and jeans for a casual look, or dressing it up with blue suiting and a white dress shirt.
Mahoney recommends this plaid skinny tie as a way to spruce up an outfit without being too loud about it. “Keep the look classic with a gray or navy suit, and wear a white shirt to highlight this amazing tie,” she said.
This option is made entirely from silk and uses more or less the same striped pattern that Burberry is known for, just in a more subtle black and navy design.
“If looking to impress, try this striped tie by Stefano Ricci,” said Mahoney. “The colors are beautifully vibrant and will stand out with any blue or white shirt and navy suit.”
The Italian designer behind this tie is known for his impeccable tailored suits, and his neckwear upholds the same quality standards. Plus, each colorway comes with a matching kerchief.
If you want to upgrade your workwear, you can’t go wrong with a navy and silver striped necktie. This one is made from silk and has a slightly slim width to modernize it.
“This silk tie from Ted Baker features a timeless stripe pattern that’s sure to work with all of your more formal attire,” Stolch said. “The navy colorway is a classic essential that pairs with absolutely everything in your current suiting collection.”
“This Nordstrom tie is a fun take on a stripe tie,” said Mahoney. “It is still traditional in color but also has some texture in the design, which adds more dimension. This tie would look great with a tan suit or sport coat and is also very affordable.”
If you want to branch out into patterned ties and aren’t sure where to start, this multicolor option is a smart choice (that also happens to be made from 100-percent silk).
Perhaps plain stripes are too traditional for you. If so, check out this tie that incorporates a chevron pattern and stippled lines to add a bit of modern intrigue.
“Canali brings a sophisticated look with this classic red tie,” said Mahoney. “The colors are tonal and understated but also traditional. This tie will look amazing with a gray, charcoal or navy suit or sport coat.”
Made with Italian silk and a squared-off end, this is your quintessential knit tie — the one that every guy should own.
“This navy knit tie from Suitsupply is the perfect tie to compliment any color shirt,” said Mahoney. “Pair it with a gray tweed jacket or cardigan for a great fall or winter look.”
For a contemporary update on the knit tie, check out this option with a traditionally pointed end and a fine weave that makes the material light and airy.
Allen recommends this navy tie because the color is so easy to pair with nearly any outfit. “It works in a variety of settings, can coordinate with a variety of colors, and allows you to transition from daytime to evening seamlessly,” he said.
Stolch calls this “a refined take on a menswear staple” and recommends it for both dressing up casual outfits and dressing down formal ones. “It has a subtle, open-weave texture that elevates any outfit.”
It’s available in five colors, so even if this navy and white option doesn’t speak to you, you’ll likely find one pattern that does match your style.
Drake’s ties are handmade in London and are all about highlighting your style and personality. If you get just one tie that really makes a statement, choose this one.
“I love how this tie combines a traditional pattern like paisley with bright colors for a tie that’s bold without appearing tacky,” said Allen. “It’s reminiscent of styles from the late 1960s, which is a period of dress that I love.”
A classic bow tie is a must-have for any man’s closet. Stolch recommends this model because it’s not overly expensive and still looks dapper enough to enhance your formal attire.
This bow tie is made from pure silk and has an adjustable neck strap so anyone can wear it without worrying about it becoming undone — a nice bonus!
“Sure to add Southwestern flair to any outfit,” said Stolch. “Pair it with a flannel shirt for a more traditional look or over a graphic tee for a modern take.”
The braided cord is made from genuine leather, and the metal pieces are engraved with patterns found in Swedish folk art. Just the kind of unexpected detail that makes this unexpected piece stand out.
Mahoney recommends this modern bow tie for adding some subtle flair to your formal outfits. “Navy is a great trend in dinner jackets these days,” she said. “This paisley navy bow tie will compliment a navy jacket and black pant perfectly.”
It’s made from silk and has a self-tied design so you can easily slip it on and know it will always look sharp.
“The width is the most important thing to concentrate on when buying a tie,” said Mahoney. “A thinner tie of three inches or under goes better on a man with a thinner build, while a man with a bigger frame and broader shoulders should wear a tie that is more standard, like three and a quarter to three and a half inches.”
Allen said you can also use the width of your suit jacket or blazer’s lapels to determine how wide your ties should be.
In addition to having a solid black tie, Allen said that “a solid navy tie is a good go-to for formal and business attire.” He also likes burgundy ties “for adding a touch of color” and because they “pair exceptionally well with both navy and gray tailoring.”
Mahoney recommends having both solid red and solid blue ties because they go so well with any dress shirt color.
As for patterns, Allen prefers stripes: “A diagonally striped tie is a classic option to have on hand that can work in most situations.”
Once you have those basics, Stolch recommends branching out to ties with windowpane, checkered and dot patterns.
“Black tie events, formal occasions and various business settings still call for a tie,” said Stolch. “Beyond this, the addition of the neckpiece is often more of a style expression than a necessity.”
Allen adds that you can let the occasion determine which material you choose: “Just as you would wear linen and cotton in the spring and summer, and wool in the fall and winter, the same logic applies to ties.”
“When in doubt,” Allen said, “a silk tie is the way to go.”
“When it comes to matching your style of tie to the occasion, look at the formality of the environment,” said Allen.
“For formal events, classic is king. A regular tie width in black or navy will ensure you don’t look out of place. For less formal environments where creativity is appreciated, less conservative tie styles are fun to play with. These can be in the form of a skinny tie, a textured knit tie, a colorful bow tie, or even a Western-style bolo tie.”
Stolch agrees that on a casual evening out or a date, you should lean into your personality and choose a tie that shows something about yourself. “This is a great opportunity to play with color, fabrication and more interesting and novelty prints,” she said.
“The knit tie is reserved for more dressed down scenarios or an office environment with a business casual dress code,” Stolch said. “This type of tie pairs nicely with an oxford button shirt and jeans or khakis with a dress shirt and layered under a sweater.”
“A clip-on tie is generally not well received in the world of menswear, as it lacks a level of seriousness and sophistication,” said Stolch. “The options are also quite limited for the style in regards to color and print, and the fabric quality is typically made of low-grade materials.”
However, if you’re buying a tie for a child, a clip-on is actually a smart choice. Mahoney said this is because a clip-on is much easier to put on and it looks nice the whole day — no matter how much running around the kid does.
Got all your new favorite ties but still need some help actually tying them? This video shows you the quickest and easiest way to tie a tie.
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