No fashion faux paux is more serious than wearing a terrible tie in my book if you’re a man. Wear a bad tie to an interview – don’t count on me giving you the job. Wear a bad tie on a date – don’t count on going on second one. Wear a bad tie to a meeting – don’t count on me hearing a word you say.
Not sure if you have terrible-tie syndrome?
Here’s my list of 10 power ties every guy should own (or own one similar to):
Burberry’s signature Check Silk tie – $145.00
You can substitute other ties on this list for look-alikes, but a fake Burberry is easy to spot a mile away. Splurge before your next big event and purchase the one, the only, Burberry signature tie. You won’t be sorry.
Express’ Woven Grid Tie – $39.90
Express Men has one of the finest selections of ties I’ve seen of any chain store. Additionally, the ties are relatively cheap there compared with the stores other products. Express is currently having a buy one get one 50 percent off tie sale, so do yourself a favor and just buy this tie today.
Michael by Michael Kors – $59.50
Get familiar with Michael Kors. Almost everything Michael Kors is acceptable, and not just ties, shirts, jackets – you name it. But get especially familiar with Kors’ signature tie, which looks good in almost every color, though I prefer the yellow version the best.
Bachrach’s Quest Paisley Tie – $49.50
Good paisley ties are difficult to find. I’ve noticed Bachrach has an unusually good collection. Unfortunately this tie is sold out online in every color but grey and purple. However, you can purchase this tie in blue at any Bachrach store. Most major malls contain a Bachrach, so purchasing one in-person should be a breeze.
Brooks Brothers’ Framed Alternating BB#4 Stripe Tie – $79.50
Finding the perfect striped tie is almost as difficult as finding a good paisley tie. Most striped ties are tacky. Striped ties have a tendency to look cheap if you’re not selective. Often times colors that are paired in striped ties were never meant to be paired together, resulting in an albatross around your neck that makes people who have to look at nauseated. Below is an example of an acceptable striped tie.
Bachrach Tonal Plaid Bowtie – $49.50
This one’s for the Southern gents. I’m not a fan of bowties, personally, though I know a number of respected men in the conservative who pull them off. If you must wear a bowtie, stay away from obnoxious colors that make you look like you belong in a frat or at a circus.
Banana Republic Textured Silk Tie – $59.50
With spring and summer upon us, I thought it appropriate to include this colorful orange tie. Please do not wear this tie from September through February. But orange is a fall color, too, you say? Not this shade of orange. This is tangerine orange. The appropriate orange for fall is burnt orange. Don’t confuse the two.
Tasso Elba, Tight Neat Tie – $59.50
As the slogan goes, real men wear pink. Rather than the pale pink associated with the American Cancer Society’s annual campaign, I suggest a darker pink, as shown below. This is hands down my favorite color on girls and on guys. This pink pops against a dark suit and is admittedly more manly than other shades of pink.
Alfani Solid Sateen Skinny Tie with Tie Bar – $49.50
Hipster or not, every man should own a skinny black tie. There’s nothing sexier than a skinny black tie, and it’s perfect cocktail attire.
Perry Ellis Tie, Evesham Dot – $55.00
If you’re Republican or consider yourself at all conservative, you must at least one classy red tie. And by classy, I don’t mean Marshalls. The average conservative power player can spot a cheap red tie in an instant. Unique red ties are difficult to find, so when you spot a nice one, buy it. If you regularly attend conservative or GOP events, however, I would suggest purchasing multiple red ties. The good thing about a nice, red tie is that it stands out and it’s memorable. The bad thing about a nice, red tie is . . . it stands out and it’s memorable – you can’t wear it at back to back events.
