HOW TO CHOOSE THE WIDTH OF YOUR TIES

The width of your tie is just as important as the colour or pattern of your tie, and should be chosen very carefully. You must consider three principles when going to your wardrobe to select the beautiful tie that will accompany you throughout the day or for the evening.

First principle: the width of your tie should be proportional to the collar of your shirt. Thus, it is best to avoid slim ties or narrow ties when wearing a shirt with an Italian or Neapolitan collar. This would be a wrong choice because it would give the impression of a huge collar and a tiny tie. Conversely, it is better not to wear too wide a tie with a small collar, if only because we would then see your tie sticking out under your collar at the back of your shirt.

Second principle: the width of your tie should be proportional to the collar of your jacket. Thus, the narrower your jacket’s lapels, in line with the trend set in recent years by designers such as Heidi Slimane at Yves-Saint-Laurent, the narrower your tie should be. A slim tie with a suit in a classic cut and an equally classic collar will have very little charm. To wear a skinny tie with a jacket or suit, the jacket lapel has to be just as slim.

Third principle: the width of your tie should be proportional to your body type. It is all a question of proportion: a narrow tie on a well-built person will tend to make him look even more stocky. Conversely, a wide tie on a slim person makes him look even taller. So a narrow tie is not an option if you are as big as a rugby player! In general, and in conclusion, if you want to avoid errors, choose a tie between 6 cm and 8 cm or 7.5 cm wide, i.e., neither too slim nor too wide. This is still the best way to avoid making a mistake. A tie wider than 8 cm will immediately make people think you got it from your father’s or even your grandfather’s cupboard. Conversely, a tie that’s too skinny can give the impression that you were trying too hard to follow the fashion: if this is the case, remember the three previous principles and you won’t go wrong!