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Pick the Right Tie

Let’s Chit-Chat is on “How to pick the right tie?”  Okay, men this blog is for you all.   Ties come in a large variety of colors, design, fabric, and even cut.  Because there are so many choices most men have difficulty making a decision when browsing the tie racks.  While personal preference is important, there is more that goes into choosing the right tie.  Below are three essential tips to help you choose the perfect tie.

Proportion (Length/Width)

The most important thing you should consider when choosing a necktie is proportion; that is, the length and width of the tie, and how they relate to a person’s size/build.  There is nothing worse than seeing a short tie on a big/tall guy or a extra long tie on a short guy.  If you are not sure of the length checkout this link Tie Length Calculator

Let’s chat a little bit about tie width.  The bigger man typically looks better with regular width ties (3.25 to 3.75 inches) while shorter and/or thin men can add a trendy touch by wearing skinny ties (2 – 2.75 inches).  Besides your build, the type of jacket you wear needs to complement your tie.  As a good rule of thumb: The narrower a tie the narrower the lapels of the jacket should be. [Read More Pick the Right Tie]

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7 Style Tips for Large Men

Whether you’re round-bellied, broad-shouldered, big-bottomed, or all three you can be fashionable just like the rest of the men.

1.  Clothes must FIT

How your clothes fit is the most important thing. If you’ve got bulges, wrinkles, or sagging cloth, it’s going to make your outline look sloppy.  On a large man, the effect gets amplified, and it looks even worse.  Many large men dress in clothes that are several sizes too big, thinking they are disguising their physique.  Baggy clothes don’t fool anyone and in fact draw more attention to your weight while downgrading your overall appearance and the impression you make.  The better the fit, the more comfortable your clothes feel, which is good for your mood and for your appearance.

You want the cloth to rest lightly on your body — not hugging it tight and not hanging off your skin with visible folds of extra cloth.  The odds of finding something with a perfect fit off the rack are pretty low, so get to know a good tailor.  Simple adjustments like hemming trousers or taking a shirt in at the waist are cheap fixes — usually $10-20 — that can make generically-sized department store clothes into well-fitted garments.

2. Simplicity

If you’ve got a big frame, you’ve also already got an imposing presence. Dress simple, so that it doesn’t become an overwhelming effect. Keep the patterns to a minimum.  Solid clothes help compliment your shape.

3. Light Weight

Thick, heavy cloth accentuates your size and makes you look bulky.  A smooth, light fabric that drapes in clean lines is always going to make a large man look (and feel) better than something chunky.

In addition to jackets, smooth slacks (as opposed to jeans) give a nice, clean front, and in colder weather a long overcoat is a great way to make a solid impression with your whole body. [Read More 7 Tips for the Large Man]

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How to do a Windsor Knot?

1. Start with the wide end of the tie on the right and the small end on the left. The tip of the small end should rest slightly above your belly-button (this will vary depending on your height and the length & thickness of your tie). Only move the active (wide) end.

2. Wide end over the small end to the left.

3. Up into the neck loop from underneath.

4. Down to the left.

5. Around the back of the small end to the right.

6. Up to the center, towards neck loop.

7. Through the neck loop and down to the right.

8. Across the front to the left.

9. Up into the neck loop from underneath.

10. Down through the loop you’ve just created in the front.

11. Tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end. Slide the knot up & adjust.