Words: Guy Aubrey Devito
Whether yours is the four in hand or the half Windsor, a Gieves & Hawkes classic or a head turning Ferragamo, a tie says a lot about your personality. You may not realise it but a tie can reveal a lot about you –whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, a sportsman or a bookworm. Your tie provides an insight into what kind of man you are and what kind of man you want to be.
NECK TIE OR BOW TIE
Aside from black tie/white tie dinners, the neck tie reigns supreme and is the preferred choice for work, church and events. Those that plumb for the bow tie invariably tend to fit into certain categories and are either eccentric, a fashionista or very keen to stand out from the crowd. Cravats and bolo ties are even rarer options and, while bolo ties would look strange outside of America’s deep south, cravats are enjoying a mild resurgence.
TIED UP IN KNOTS
Choosing a knot is like choosing a football team – more often than not it was chosen because that was that one your father, or a friend, liked the most. We stick to our favourite knot or knots and rarely deviate from the one we enjoy tying the most. Those who go for the most complicated, convoluted knots such as the rose knot or Eldredge knot will tend to be dandies, fascinated with the complexity of such intricate knots. The uber-skinny knots such as the small knot or the Prince Albert knot indicate a hipster or a subversive – keen to look good whilst also breaking with tradition., James Bond never trusted a man who tied his tie with a Windsor knot but the Windsor, along with its traditional cousins the four-in-hand and the Pratt are the most commonly used knots and are tied by those who feel that knots should not be too wild.
WOOL, SILK, OR SATIN
The material that your tie is made out of says a lot about you and so choosing a fabric is a very important decision. In times past the choice was simple –silk if you were rich, polyester if you weren’t and that was about it. Nowadays, the options are more varied; knitted wool, satin for the salesman, cashmere for the country-bumpkin and cotton when keeping it casual. Although polyester is still an option, there are so many brilliant ties out there that it really shouldn’t be much of an option anymore, much better to save up for one with natural fibres.
COLOUR IS KEY (AS ARE PATTERNS)
Most people have a favourite colour and this will probably influence their choice of tie. Many will have a preference for plain ties, whilst others will feel that a pattern is essential. Those that go for a tie that’s plain, or faintly patterned, in one colour will likely enjoy the uniformity that a plain tie shows. A basic tie in non-garish colours will always keep people guessing about you and won’t give a lot away. Brighter colours show a more exuberant side of your personality and patterned ties in herringbone, houndstooth and pin check all add an element of complexity to the wearer. Greens are indicative of calmness, reds are indicative of power and aggressiveness while greys indicate a reserved and cool character.
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