Proper Tie Width

• Dec 29, 2006

• #1

anselmo1

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142

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Amherst, New York

What should be the proper width of a necktie now? I have neckties that are 3 1/4 inches, 3 1/2 inches, 3 3/4 inches and 4 inches. Styles change regarding neckties it seems every 4 to 5 years.

 

• Dec 29, 2006

• #2

S

Slicksuit

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Suburban Detroit, Michigan

It's relative

It depends on who you ask. Since you mention "now", I would say that the current trend is in the 3 1/2 - 3 3/4 range, particularly for business workwear. I think that the look is timeless, and the ties will be servicable for years to come.

That said, it's fashionable (read: of the moment) for ties to maybe be somewhat skinnier, around the 2 1/2 to 3 inch range. It's a look that is best suited for evening nightlife or creative professionals.

As a general rule, the width of the tie should harmonize in proportion with the jacket you may be wearing with it. Skinnier ties work best with slim-cut, modern suits (such as those seen in the 60's - single breasted, low gorge, skinnier lapels). More full-cut and vintage suits call for a wider tie. As a general rule, slim-cut suits and skinny ties tend to work best for non-portly and younger men.

Your mileage may vary.

 

• Dec 31, 2006

• #3

W

Will

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3 1/2 inches has been the Savile Row standard for at least twenty years. The Italians went as wide as 4 1/8" for a while but are getting narrower again, to the 3 3/4" you mentioned.

3" and narrower is a fashion statement. They were last mainstream in the U.S. about forty years ago.

 

• Dec 31, 2006

• #4

Senator Jack

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3" and narrower is a fashion statement. They were last mainstream in the U.S. about forty years ago.

Click to expand...

If we were worried about fashion trends here at the Lounge, we wouldn't be wearing suits that went out of favor 60 years ago.

Seriously, I don't wear narrow ties to make a fashion statement, I just happen to like them. Perhaps I'm an oddity? [huh]

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

• Dec 31, 2006

• #5

W

Will

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San Francisco Bay area

Senator Jack said:

If we were worried about fashion trends here at the Lounge, we wouldn't be wearing suits that went out of favor 60 years ago.

Seriously, I don't wear narrow ties to make a fashion statement, I just happen to like them. Perhaps I'm an oddity? [huh]

Regards,

Senator Jack

Click to expand...

If we were not odd none of us would be here.

I was agreeing with the original poster.

Narrower ties go with suits from the sixties. In the 30's ties were about the same width they are today. I'm a thirties guy.

 

• Dec 31, 2006

• #6

M

max the cat

Familiar Face

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midwest

tie width

I rather liked the 3'' width favored by Brooks circa 1981- anything approaching 3 1/2 + reminds me of the napkin like width re Nixon 70's era- It could well be that my aversion to the 70's, while being forced to live in it, would make me hate anything from that time regardless of construction.
The exception might be 3 button sack suits, ie Brooks Greico, similar in many respects to 20's suits-note some 20's photos with relatively wide lapels -even on a sack- with fairly narrow necktie 3" or so-standardization would occur later.

 

• Dec 31, 2006

• #7

Matt Deckard

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I like all sorts of ties. In the 1930's wide lapels and narrow ties were the common.

In the 20s it was narrow ties and narrow lapels.

In the 40's wide lapels and wide tie
in the 50's ties narrowed and by the end of the decade the Mod look of narrow and narrow was back.

Trends happen.

I myself like the 1930's narrow tie and wide lapels...

As for proper... My proper whatever looks cool on me.

 

• Dec 31, 2006

• #8

anselmo1

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Amherst, New York

The majority of my ties are 3 1/2 inches in width with the remainder in the 3 3/4 inch range. The ties I have in 3 1/4 inches and 4 inches are rolled up and packed away in boxes.

I guess the 3 1/2 inch tie is the standard today. But like many have stated, style is a personal choice.

 

• Jan 2, 2007

• #9

M

manton

A-List Customer

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New York

Savile Row goes down to 3 1/4". Most of the true English regimenal and school ties are that width. The fancies and wovesn tend to be a little wider.

Between 3 1/4" and 4" will never look odd or out of time/place. At least for now. A wider tie is definitely an Italian look.