After much postponing (to establish my favourite trousers rise, to find a reliable shirtmaker, to keep an eye on the ties I'm using the most), now it's time to order some ties of the right length. Below I share thoughts and ask for advice.LL members wrote:Start with solid midnight blue and discreetly patterned wine-colored. Get a few weights and textures for the blue (reppe, Oxford, Atkinsons, etc.) and make sure there's a madder or two in there. Then some Macclesfields in sky blue, and pink, and yellow. - Concordia
I find a couple of knits look good and basic printeds always work for me. [...] I could easily get through a year with 3 ties: one grenadine navy white pin-dot tie, one dark burgundy paisley madder tie and one small-print bottle green tie (and a black bowtie for DJ, obviously). - Luca
Classics. Classics. Classics. Edit. Edit. Edit. That's where one can find solitude peace and elegance. - Uppercase
I did my struggle with blue - here is what worked for me: solid midnight blue silk repp (Drake's), solid large knot grenadine in blue and purple (Drake's), solid knit ties in different shades from light blue to black (Drake's, Budd and some others). - Davidhuh
When I started wearing business clothes, after unit, I stuck for a couple of years purely to navy blue printed ties with small dots (1 white, 1 red, 1 green). They worked with most anything. - Luca
I usually don’t like to wear a solid tie with a solid suit, even when the shirt is patterned. [...] Were I to wear more tweeds then I would probably have more plain silk ties, as well as a cashmere tie or two. I do like to wear a wool tie or wool/silk mix with a worsted suit. Grenadines too (here I do prefer solid over patterned). - T.K.
Alden has written many times before on how the suit should be the "frame" of the picture, with the shirt and tie the centre of interest. It just seems wrong to have an elaborate frame and a dull picture! - Scot
Another style for your consideration is ancient madder. Two or three examples chosen carefully, that is, of varying scale and colour, will go with almost anything. - Scot
I buy neckties that I like (in terms of color, pattern or design) and that I feel that will tie a good four-in-hand. Many times I have even bought ties that I did´t like that much because I have learnt that sooner or later they will come alive when put around good company. - Hectorm
Buying the right tie at the store for the specific suit and shirt can be efficient in terms of time saving but, tell me, who´s looking for efficiency here. Also the right tie in color, shade, texture, etc. would be too perfect for my style. That would make me too predictable and I´m afraid people around me could come to know me for that specific match. I´d rather come up and try different satisfying combinations chosen from within my collection that getting it before hand and hanging the right tie next to the suit. - Hectorm
A man cannot even live without 20. Twice that number seems moderate for someone who wears a tie every day. - Rodes
I have seen that bright bronze or copper ties work very decently with blue suits. Also when wearing a blue pinstripe, although a bit boring, a white pindot necktie on lighter blue background is pretty safe. - Hectorm
It's a lot of work to come to a minimal wardrobe. A lot of experimenting, trial and error, and pruning. You can't edit a blank page, nor an empty wardrobe. Beware: confine yourself to a minimal wardrobe and your eyes will wander, your mind will dream, and your heart will lust. - C.Lee
Browns and greens go well with blue suit/conservative shirt, in an understated way. The reds/yellows/oranges clearly contrast more violently but are also fairly classic, I think. Blue suit + blue tie, as long as the blues contrast sufficiently, is also quite nice, in my humble opinion. - Luca
Personally I like orange and muted yellow with navy and darker blues, as well as light grey or b/w houndstooth. - T.K.
NUMBER. I'd like my wardrobe to be minimal - I believe there is an intrinsic elegance in achieving more with less and the added challenge adds fun as well. I like to wear ties 7 days a week and their number should allow ties to rest enough after each use. I said once that 24 ties/bow-ties would be plenty; 18 ties, 6 bow-ties (sorted out first at Sam Hober's).
MATERIAL AND PATTERN. Solids in wool and in reppe/madder silk seem very versatile - I think I'll start from there. Plaid patterns in wool go very well with tweed, are very addictive and less available. Regimental ties are great, although I find a bit silly the thought of wearing the colours of an institution I don't belong to; wearing the colours of London or one-two other 'universal' colour combinations is still an enjoyable experience. Some chances of saving Macclesfield silk printed dots; all other patterns are out. I like linen but there's no room for it. No grenadine.
COLOURS. Black, red, brown, orange. I have some wonderful solid blue ties that I never wear; the trademark of politicians, they never look right to me. Is it serious, doctor? should I learn to like them? More colours with striped and plaid patterns, of course. Yellow, salmon - I like them on fellow tube commuters, but don't have any and don't feel the urge to buy.
STYLE. Like people sticking to one style (sometimes a 'house style') for their suits or frequently opting for similar configurations (buttoning, lapel, SB/DB), is there some 'structure' in your necktie wardrobe? Please share your advice!