Office
A work tie has to look right day after day. The darker, smoother and plainer a tie is, the more formal it looks, so you can dress up or down for the day ahead.
Colours that suit it
Navy. Goes with everything you wear to work. A navy grenadine suits a suit day and a jacket day alike.
Knots that fit
Pattern and fabric
A fine stripe, a small geometric print or small dots all work. A navy stripe goes with almost any shirt pattern. Silk is the everyday choice. Wool and linen look more casual because of their matte surface, and knitted silk sits in between.
Which knot
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Four‑in‑Hand
The everyday knot. British etiquette advice suggests it, or the Half Windsor, with a suit.
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Half Windsor
A neat, symmetrical triangle, a step more formal than the Four‑in‑Hand. Best with a spread collar.
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Pratt
Medium-sized and tidy, for spread and cutaway collars.
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Prince Albert
A Four‑in‑Hand with an extra wrap. It uses up more of the tie, which helps when yours hangs too long.
It depends
- Business formal
- A dark or grey suit with a conservative tie.
- Business casual
- The tie is optional. Keep a plain navy tie at hand for the meeting nobody warned you about. Matte, textured ties suit a jacket without a suit.
- Summer
- Linen, cotton and textured silk feel lighter, and brighter colours suit the stronger light.
- Winter
- Wool, cashmere and darker colours such as brown, forest green and navy.
Better left at home
- Novelty ties and knots, which can suggest you don't take the job seriously.
- A wool knit with a sharp business suit. It looks too casual; a silk knit works better.