Narrow Ties Are Not For Those With Narrow Viewpoints

Men’s formal fashion has moved only in subtle directions over the years. One of the methods men make a statement is through the width of their ties. The narrow neck tie debuted in the 1950s, persisted in the 1960s and made a comeback in the 1980s. Once again, the narrow necktie is making a comeback as one of the hottest trends in men’s neckwear.

How to wear a narrow tie

Not everyone can wear narrow neckwear successfully. The best body type for narrow ties is a man who is tall and skinny. Large men, short men and those who are a bit wide should not wear a narrow necktie since it accentuates the belly area. Narrow ties look great with suit lapels that are narrow, with suit jackets that have either one or two buttons and with a shirt that has a narrow or medium collar. Do not wear a shirt that has a collar with buttons if you want to add a narrow neck tie.

Keep both the pattern and the color simple! Simple solid colors are the best on a narrow tie. It’s best not to try to overdo. Sometimes a simple solid black, navy, blue, brown or maroon narrow tie will be just the style statement you need to stand out. A small addition such as a tie clip will offset your narrow neckwear perfectly.

How to choose a narrow tie

A normal necktie is typically around 3 ½ inches wide at its widest point near the tip. Narrow ties, however, can be from 1 ½ - 2 ½ inches wide. If chosen properly, a narrow necktie can create an updated and cool look without much effort. The narrower you choose, the more retro you will look. Wider narrow ties are more conservative and traditional. If you want edgy, choose the narrowest tie width you can find. The normal length of these ties is the same as a regular width tie (57 inches), although if you are taller, you may want to look at extra long narrow ties. However, remember that narrow ties do not need to be as long as wider ties. These ties should end near the belt and be no longer than three inches above the belt or one inch below the belt.

What Knots to Use and Why

Narrow ties work best with narrow knots. A large knot such as a Windsor knot is not appropriate and does not look right on a narrow neck tie. The most commonly used knot is the four in hand knot. This knot is slightly asymmetrical and is very compact. Half Windsor knots are also popular with narrow ties. The Half Windsor is a larger knot than the four in hand, but is also asymmetric and stylish. The Half Windsor should be used with narrow neckties equal to or greater than 2 inches wide.