How to Wear a Tie

Co-authored by Candace Hanna

Last Updated: July 20, 2021 References

Ties are a classic part of formal, semi-formal, and even semi-casual fashion. There are lots of options to choose from: solid-colored, patterned, silk, matte finish, wide, thin, and more. As long as you follow a few rules of thumb, you can coordinate a shirt and tie so they’ll look great together. Don't be afraid to choose a bold color or pattern, or wear a tie in a non-traditional way if you want to make more of a statement. Express yourself and find a tie that's perfect for any occasion!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Picking a Solid-Colored Tie

1
Choose a shirt and tie in the same color family. Look for colors that are similar, or coordinate well. For example, a navy colored tie can look great with a light blue shirt. Likewise, you can go with a pink tie against a dark red shirt.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Keep in mind that black ties are usually reserved for solemn or very formal occasions (like funerals).
2
Choose colors to coordinate with your skin tone. Pick a tie that goes with your skin if you want your physical appearance to be highlighted. Wear purple, blue, or red ties if you have pale skin. Greens and browns can look great if you have darker skin.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Pick a meaningful color if you want to send a message. Psychologically, colors convey different attitudes, so draw on this fact when choosing a tie to wear. For instance, many people find that:^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Red conveys authority.
- Yellow signifies positivity and energy.
- Silver suggests celebration.
- Navy blue is good for business dealings.
4
Make a bold statement with a pop of color. If you want to stand out, choose a brilliant colored tie, such as purple, teal, or lime green. A bolder colored tie will make a statement that won’t be obnoxious as long as you pair it with a plain shirt (and a traditional suit, if you're wearing one). For example, try a:^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Lime green tie with a black shirt.
- Teal tie against a plain white shirt.
- Orange tie against a light blue shirt.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Wearing Patterned Ties

1
Find the dominant color of a patterned tie. For a tie that has multiple colors, look at it and decide which of its colors is most prominent in the pattern. Then choose a shirt accordingly. For instance, a tie with paisleys against a dark blue background (its dominant color) can go well with a light blue shirt.
2
Go with a traditional patterns for variety. For example, get a couple of ties with diagonal stripes in contrasting colors. If you don’t want to wear a solid-colored tie, a striped one is a great alternative. Other traditional patterns include:
- Checked
- Plaid
- Floral
- Dotted
3
Wear a non-traditional pattern if you want to attract some attention. Just as you can wear a bold color to make a statement, choose a tie with an unexpected pattern to turn heads. You should still make sure that the dominant color of the tie coordinates with your shirt, however.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- A tie with a single vertical stripe is a great alternative to the traditional diagonally striped tie.
- Paisley patterns have been around for a long time, but go in and out of fashion. Wearing one will get some attention while still not seeming outlandish.
4
Coordinate patterned ties and patterned shirts for a bold look. It is possible to wear a patterned tie with a print shirt. Just follow a simple rule of thumb: choose a tie that has a pattern that’s either noticeably smaller or noticeably larger than the print of the shirt. For instance:^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Wear a tie with thick diagonal stripes against a shirt with thin vertical stripes.
- Choose a tie with tiny dots to pair with a shirt that has large dots or another print pattern.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Knotting the Tie

1
Pick a knot style that suits your shirt’s collar width. Collar width should determine the knot you choose, if at all possible. Tie a four-in-hand knot if your shirt has a narrow or button-down collar. A half Windsor is best for medium or spread-out collars. Go with a full windsor knot for very wide collars.^{[7]
X
Research source}
2
Knot the tie so its tip sits just above your belt buckle.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.} No matter the color or pattern, a tie won’t look right if it hangs too low or too high. Ties come in different lengths, however, and people are of different heights. This means you may have to change your knot to get the right look:^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If your tie seems to hang too low, try using a windsor knot instead of a half-windsor or four-in-hand. It takes more fabric, which will raise the tie’s end up.
- If your tie hangs too high, use a four-in-hand knot, which takes less fabric.
- If your tie is still too long or to short even after trying a different knot, choose a different tie that is shorter or longer than the first one.
3
Choose a knot based on your tie width and suit style. Large knots, like the windsor and half-windsor, will look best on wide ties. A four-in-hand will look great with a skinny tie. The same goes for suit styles: choose a wide tie for a full-cut suit, and a thin tie for a slim-fit one.
4
Wear a tie in non-traditional ways, if you want to express yourself. Ties are often thought of as part of traditional male formal and semi-formal wear, but the truth is you can use a tie as an accent no matter who you are or what you’re wearing. There are tons of creative ways to wear ties, so just use your imagination or look around for inspiration! For example:
- Simply drape a solid-colored tie around your neck to add a pop of color to your outfit.
- Knot a tie loosely and tuck its ends into a cardigan.
- Wear a bow tie as a necklace.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Picking the Right Tie for Any Occasion

1
Wear a tie to most formal and semi-formal occasions. Unless an occasion is strictly casual or specifically requires other clothing, it’s hard to be out of place wearing a tie. Go for one in many professional, formal, and personal occasions, including:^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Weddings
- Fine dining
- Job interviews
- First dates
- Meeting new people you want to impress (such as future in-laws)
- Business occasions
- Networking events
2
Choose a tie width to coordinate with your body type and the occasion. If you have a broad and/or taller body type, pick a wider tie.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Candace Hanna
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 April 2019.} Alternatively, if you are thin or not tall, go with a thinner tie. Beyond that, skinny ties are best for casual occasions, while wider ties will seem more formal.^{[12]
X
Research source}
3
Select a fabric finish to match the occasion. Choose a fabric that has a shiny finish for formal or evening occasions. If you’re wearing a tie for business or professional reasons, go with silk. A wide variety of matte finish ties are also available, and they’re great for informal occasions.^{[13]
X
Research source}
4
Rock a bow tie, when appropriate. Generally, you can wear bow ties (including clip-on or pre-tied ones) at occasions when a regular tie is also expected. Bow ties have been around for a long time, and are still a way to make a classy statement, if chosen carefully.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Bow ties are perfectly acceptable at weddings and other formal events.
- Most of the time, bow ties can be worn at semi-formal occasions, such as working in an office, going to brunch, or attending religious services.
- You may not want to wear bow ties to solemn occasions such as funerals, since they may be seen as too outlandish.
- If wear a bow tie, go for either a bold tie with a plain shirt, or vice versa.
- Black bow ties may be required at very formal occasions, however.