Picking the perfect necktie

You have the suit in order, a patterned dress shirt, and a fashionable pair of shoes. But what most men fret over is the finishing touch — the necktie. Your necktie can say a lot about you and your mood. Many of you may feel confused about how to match it with the rest of your ensemble. Wearing a badly matched tie is like fitting a square peg into a round hole. But fret not, here are some tips to pick the perfect necktie.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you always match your tie to the clothing, not the other way around. Once that’s sorted, choose the right tie according to the following three factors:

• Pattern: Ties come in a wide variety of patterns like stripes and checks. The key here is to see that the tie’s patterns don’t clash with the shirt’s or suit’s. A pin-striped tie won’t work with a striped shirt; however, a polka-dotted tie will do wonders. Similarly, a chequered shirt with an intricate paisley pattern tie will look splendid. It’s easier to match a patterned tie with a solid colour shirt.
• Colour: Visualise your whole ensemble together to ensure that the colours are in harmony. If something looks wrong, you’ll know at the first glance itself! If you are unsure, stick to safe colours like a non-bright red and blue. For an elegant look, pair semi-solid blue or green ties with a cool blue-coloured dress shirt or suit.
• Proportion: The necktie size and proportions are less daunting. You’ll usually find them in the standard 3.5-inch width, or the skinny type (less than three inches). A thin gentleman will look sharp in thin lapels and skinny ties. Individuals with a wider build will look their best in a wider than average tie.

So, there you have it. Choosing a tie is more of an art than a science, so the most important thing is to feel good in whatever you buy!

(The author is head of design at Blackberrys)