Choosing Your Necktie Width (2024)

FAQs

What width tie is in style 2022? ›

Most ties we see fall around the tried-and-true width of 2.5 inches or so, meaning it will stay in fashion long after your wedding day. Of course, larger guys might look more proportional with a slightly wider tie (and vice versa), so keep that in mind as you start shopping.

Skinny ties are usually those with a width of no more than 2.5 inches (6.25 cm) whereas a tie classed as slim would be no more than 3 inches (7.5 cm). Although you will see skinny ties being worn at some formal events, they are best suited for more casual occasions.

Traditional 3.5" Width

No matter where you shop, today's standard ties measure between 3.25- and 3.5-inches wide. This is your can't go wrong, go-to width for any situation, whether it's a job interview or a formal event.

At it's widest point, your tie should be about the same as your lapel, which is 2 ½ inches for your average suit. Give or take a half inch of wiggle room, that means a one inch lapel does not work with a 3-inch tie. Larger guys can wear slim lapels, as long as the suit fits well, Cristodero says.

The easiest way to determine your tie width is to match it in proportion to the lapel of your suit. When your tie and lapel are balanced, it creates a visual harmony. Therefore, a wider tie should be paired with a wider lapel, and a slim tie with a slim lapel.

3.25 Inches: This is the typical width of a standard tie today. It's a contemporary width that has become the norm in the last few years. (Standard ties were a bit wider before then.) 3.5 Inches: This is considered a standard or traditional width tie.

Tie Width. Now that we have touched on some wedding trends happening in 2022, let's briefly talk about necktie widths, what sizes are in style and how to choose the perfect necktie width. Currently tie sizes usually range between 2.25 inches to 3.5 inches wide.

“Skinny ties are becoming very popular again as the trend of a more tailored suit is on the rise,” says Patrick. “They elevate any look to make you appear more slender, tall, and polished,” he adds. How Do You Style a Skinny Tie?

The wider the skinny tie, the more professional it is, and we recommend selecting a skinny tie 2.5-inches+ for the workplace. Skinny ties between 2- and 2.25-inches wide should be reserved for casual dress codes and more stylish environments. Sticking with skinny ties 2.5-inches+ for the office is a smart move.

A perfect tie knot is the so called four in Hand knot. Please see our guide on How to Tie a Necktie for more information. Skinny ties look best on tall and thin men. Stocky, short, and overweight men should stay away from narrow ties as they will add even more pounds to the frame.

What size neck tie should I buy? ›

When you're standing straight up, not hunched at all, your necktie should end right at the top of your belt buckle, give or take no more than ½ inch. Any shorter than this and your tie will look like a bib, not a tie. Any longer than this is known as a Donald.

In other words, if you're a bigger guy, you should wear a wider tie and avoid wearing skinny ties. That said, a thinner guy should wear a skinny tie, and avoid a wide tie, but both gentlemen can totally rock a standard width tie.

To narrow the tie fabric, fold the long edges of the tie carefully over the narrowed interlining; fold from the basted mark on each side all along the edge of the interlining to the center of the tie. Be careful not to stretch the bias edges of the fabric. Press the edges carefully to crease the tie into its new width.

There are three main types of suit lapels: notched, peaked and shawl. Each of these lapels come in different widths, ranging from super slim, around 2.25 inches, to super wide, around 5 inches. A normal lapel will be between 3 and 3.5 inches.

Wide - Most wider lapels fall around the 3.5-inch mark and have seen a recent resurgence in popularity thanks to the return of bolder, Italian-influenced suiting styles.

Lapels of regular width tend to measure around 3-3.5” at their widest point, so not too skinny or too wide. This is the lapel width that most off-the-rack jackets are made with which is why it's the most recognized width out there. Here's a great example of a 3.5" notch lapel paired with a waistcoat.

The Full-Windsor knot, sometimes called the Double-Windsor, is the most formal knot of the three. This is the fullest, widest knot, and so goes best with wider and longer neckties. Its fullness gives it the most formal look and so is appropriate with formal, wide spread dress shirts.

Apparently the open-collared shirt is becoming more popular on television and cinema screens, and workplaces are adopting a more relaxed approach when it comes to neck attire. In fact, a lot of people are blaming the boom in creative businesses, such as Facebook and Google, where formal dress codes are not enforced.

If you have slender shoulders, chest or torso a skinny tie is going to work well for you, the narrower tie will balance well with your body and look wider on you than it will on a larger person.

3.25–3.5-inch tie

A tie wider than 3 inches is a wide tie. We're not saying it's a bad thing, just make sure you don't look dated or goofy. Craig Ryan recommends wider ties for bigger guys or guys with broad shoulders.

What color tie is most versatile? ›

Dark blue is the safest and most versatile, but any deep, rich color is good. Dark greens, burgundies, and for some complexions purples all work great. Steer clear of bright colors and shiny surfaces, however.

Functionally, it also helps to bring the collar together and draw attention to the wearer's face. Over the last twenty years, workplaces have relaxed their dress codes, and we've witnessed the rise of athletic-leisure as a style in itself. All of this seems to indicate that the necktie is obsolete and near extinction.

It's called the power tie for a reason, and by wearing a red tie you are implying that you mean business. Just like Tiger Woods wears a red shirt to convey dominance, the red tie is a reaffirmation of strength, authority and dominance within the professional world.

A kipper tie is a type of necktie primarily fashionable in Britain in the mid-1960s to late 1970s. The primary characteristics of the kipper tie are its extreme breadth (normally 4.5–5 inches (11–13 cm)) and often garish colours and patterns.

The general contemporary rule of thumb is that your tie should fall right at the top of your belt buckle, regardless of tie length, style of the tie, or how tall you are.

Standard ties which are usually 56 to 58 inches or 142 to 148 cm long, are worn by men with average height and body build. While men with taller stature of 6 ft. and above and bigger body build, extra long ties are highly recommended. XL ties measures around 62 to 66 inches or 158 to 167 cm.

Skinny ties between 2- and 2.25-inches wide should be reserved for casual dress codes and more stylish environments. Sticking with skinny ties 2.5-inches+ for the office is a smart move. The size is trim and modern compared to a traditional tie, but it's not overly trendy either.

Once you have it in the right position, open it and slide your tie into place. Your tie bar should never be wider than your tie. Your tie bar should also compliment other accessories and match your outfit.

3.5 Inches: This is considered a standard or traditional width tie. It's a common width on traditional extra long ties today where the contemporary 3.25-inch width could look too narrow.

You might need and XL tie! Extra-long ties are typically 4 inches longer than regular-length ties. Our regular ties average about 58 inches long; our extra-longs are about 62 inches long.

How tall should you be for a 62 inch tie? ›

Without any additional considerations, our general rules of thumb for sizing tall folks are as follows. Shorter than 6'2" - Our standard 58" tie will do the trick. Between 6'2" and 6'4" - Size up to our long 62" tie. Taller than 6'4" - Pick our extra long 66" option.

“Skinny ties are becoming very popular again as the trend of a more tailored suit is on the rise,” says Patrick. “They elevate any look to make you appear more slender, tall, and polished,” he adds. How Do You Style a Skinny Tie?

Clip on ties are not a fashion faux pas. Not wearing a necktie because of the lack or inability to tie a tie is a faux pas! Clip on ties are an exceptional menswear accessory that can help any man look his best, easily, and without the stress of achieving the perfect not.

Today, tie pins are back in style (though certainly not required as part of a formal jacket-shirt-and-tie ensemble) and can be worn on casual occasions or when there's a more formal dress code.