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The necktie has been in use since ancient days and in modern times it is considered to be a style statement.

A tie can tell a lot about one’s personality and is indispensable in today’s business environment.

A tie is one’s personal signature and the selection of its colour, quality and design can make or mar one’s claim to being a man of good taste; it gives one an opportunity for self-expression and individuality.

The colour of the tie should be such that it contrasts with that of the shirt – a lack of contrast could result in a monochromatic look. A well-dressed man seems to be incomplete without this ‘attachment’.

The basic fabric used to make fine neckties is silk since it takes on dyes very easily and also holds the knot better.

There are two basic styles which silk neckties come in:

Smooth – As the name suggests, it has got a smooth finish and is relatively light in weight

Woven – It is usually much heavier and looks more stylish than a printed silk tie

A word of caution though: synthetic ties are a big no-no. They don’t have that luxurious feel to them and moreover, do not hold a knot well. Select ties based on the appropriateness of the occasion. Special attention needs to be paid to the pattern on the tie – the smaller the pattern, the trendier it looks.

Patterns could include geometrical shapes, abstracts, stripes, motifs, etc.; faces, flora and fauna, avian patterns, cartoon characters, etc. should be reserved for informal events only. The shirt should be buttoned up and the collar brought up before putting on your tie.

Having finished wearing the tie, put the collar down and make sure that the knot is in the middle of your collar.

There are over a dozen ways in which a knot can be tied.

But the most popular types of tie knots are: Four-in-Hand, Half Windsor, Windsor and Cross Knot.

The length of a tie varies between 55 inches and 60 inches; its width should balance the lapels of the suit – the widest part of the tie should not be wider than the widest part of the lapel (it can, however, be narrower, but not too much).

What is of paramount importance is where the tie stops vertically once it is tied – ideally, it should end at the top of the belt buckle, viz., it should at least reach the navel; anything shorter than this is surely going to make one look out of place. Tie clips and tie tacks are gradually getting out of vogue. What is gaining ground is a tie accessory that invisibly holds your tie in place by attaching the label loop of the tie to the shirt through a buttonhole.

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