Your Tie Guide
Occasions

Casual

A tie without a suit works when the tie is relaxed too: matte wool, knits and textured silk, with a blazer, a sweater or tweed.

A Four-in-Hand in chocolate brown

Colours that suit it

Chocolate brown. Earthy colours suit tweed, corduroy and flannel.

Knots that fit

With a sweater

Choose a V-neck, so the knot and the top of the tie show. A crew neck simply hides it.

With a blazer or tweed

A knit tie suits a blazer well. With tweed in winter, choose an earthy, subdued knit.

Which knot

  • Four‑in‑Hand

    Small and a little off-centre. It suits point and button-down collars, and keeps a thick tie from making a bulky knot.

  • Kelvin

    Not too big, so it works with knit ties as well as silk.

  • Oriental

    The smallest knot, for a thick wool tie that would make a bulky knot.

  • Ascot or cravat Guide coming

    A day cravat, tucked into an open collar, for when you would rather not wear a tie at all.

Tie the Four‑in‑Hand

Better left at home

  • A wool knit with a sharp business suit. Wear a silk knit with a suit instead.
  • A big knot such as the Full Windsor in a thick knit tie, which turns out bulky.