We know the problem. Trends change. Style standards change. As frustrating as it may be, tie width is no exception. For the modern man who wants to stay on trend, it's important to keep up with the ebb and flow of the fashion tide. But don't worry, we're here to help you stay afloat.
You've decided to wear a tie on your wedding day, but another decision needs to be made! Will you choose a slim tie or a classic tie?
Often, when you think about these different widths, certain extremes come to mind; you imagine the super-wide ties of the 1920s or the super-thin ties worn by the Beatles in the late 1950s.
While these ties have their place in fashion, most of you prefer something in between on your wedding day, and that's where we come in!
What tie width is currently in fashion? Here's a simple answer: Any width between 5.5 cm and 8.5 cm.
This is the safe zone. Any wider or narrower, and you risk looking like you're living in the past (or the future?). With that in mind, there are a few points to consider when deciding on the right width for you.
We recommend - 5.5 cm and 7 cm.
Men with a small chest and a narrow torso should wear narrower ties. Why? A wide tie on a slim man will appear much wider than on a man with a larger build. For this reason, we recommend looking for slim ties between 5.5 cm and 7 cm wide.
Although it is a bit bolder, a 5cm tie can also look very good on a slim man - bear in mind that it may look a bit retro to some, and a bit "hipster" to others.
Discover all our slim ties .
We recommend - 5.5 cm and 8.5 cm.
If you're an average man with a medium to athletic build, the world is your oyster. Feel free to wear any tie from our recommended range of 5.5 to 8.5 cm.
It's a matter of personal taste that will determine your choice. Wider ties tend to have a conservative and classic appeal. On the other hand, narrower ties exude a youthful and trendy charm.
Discover all our regular size ties .
We recommend - 7 cm to 8.5 cm.
Broad-framed men need broader ties. If you have the chest of a professional bodybuilder or the belly of a sumo wrestler, very thin ties can look a bit comical on your imposing frame.
We recommend choosing a tie that is between 7 cm and 8.5 cm wide. It is possible to wear a tie as wide as 9 cm, but anything wider risks making you look like you raided your grandfather's wardrobe.
This doesn't mean you should throw your extra-wide ties in the bin. Put them at the back of your wardrobe for now, as there's a good chance the extra-wide tie trend will come back into fashion in a few years.
Lapels are the folded panels of fabric on the front of a jacket or coat. And just like the width of a tie, the lapel of a suit is constantly evolving.
Why is the width of the lapel important? Because a man should always try to match the width of his tie to the width of his lapel. Wearing a wide tie with narrow lapels or a narrow tie with wide lapels can throw off your body proportions. That's not a good look.
Fashion designers are restless individuals who push us into uncharted territory, revisit styles of the past, and challenge current trends. The recent abandonment of narrow lapels and the resurgence of wider ones are good examples of this phenomenon. The fact is, when you buy a new suit, you might need to update your tie collection.
TIP: Do not wear very thin ties with a double-breasted jacket, regardless of the width of your lapel.
If you're aiming for a certain style for your wedding, choosing the right tie can really help. If, for example, you've chosen a 1920s theme, you'll definitely want to stick to standard width options; if your goal is more mod or rocker, you should definitely opt for a slim tie.
Although there is absolutely no obligation for certain ages to wear certain ties, you can discuss with the different members of your wedding party what they would like and make sure they are comfortable.
If you have a teenager as one of your pageboys, for example, you will generally find that they prefer a slim tie (something to consider if you think it will be difficult to get them to wear a tie).
Similarly, you may have more traditional members from older generations who would prefer to stick to a more classic, regular width (this is really not a hard and fast rule though, so be sure to talk to them!)
I hope this helps you make your decision. Ultimately, it's your big day, so make sure you're comfortable in what you wear!
No tie is perfect for every man, every time of day, or every situation. The width you choose should be something you feel comfortable and confident wearing.
Thanks to the ease of online shopping, there's no valid excuse not to learn and experiment. The tie width you want is just a few clicks away.
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