Almost every man in the western world has worn a necktie, and about as many have committed a mistake with it. Ties are a physically and visually small detail, yet there are innumerable ways to err with this seemingly simple accessory. These errors can often be put down to haste or sloppiness, but could also be attributed to ignorance of the rules. Be every bit the stylish man you are and wear that tie properly!

Steer Away from Slip-Ons
The premise of slip-on ties is mighty tempting: never fuss about doing that Windsor or four-in-hand ever again! But learning how to tie a tie is a rite of passage for every guy, and slip-on ties are the antithesis of that institution. Besides, slip-on ties are made for 12-year olds; skip it unless you count yourself among the prepubescent.

Yes, tying a necktie in the morning can be a time-consuming challenge for many, but it’s one that’s easily solved. If you can’t do a two-minute four-in-hand, prepare the knot the night before, loosen it a bit so that you can take off the tie and then just tighten it the next morning. The fact that this practice could result in permanent creases shouldn’t be too big a quibble, unless, of course, all your neckties are Charvet.

No to Novelty
It’s been said a million times and it bears saying again: any sensible man should say no to novelty neckties. Smiley faces, cartoon characters and comic book heroes are all necktie designs that should never see the light of day, much less on your neck. Wear a 1950’s tie or some 1980’s avant garde piece, but never, ever a novelty necktie.

Some men do it because they want to add something lively and interesting to their own outfits. There are, however, better ways of doing it. Going with a bold colored tie, bright reds and blues seem to be very in season, is one example. A more abstract print is yet another. Having Daffy Duck on your necktie isn’t just unprofessional, it’s wrong.

Make It Pop
Now that designers are matching ties to shirts and suits every which way, you have more than just color to set your necktie apart from everything else you’re wearing. No longer are you limited to exercising your color-pairing skills when it came to picking a tie in the mornings. Texture and finish have been thrown into the mix, which means you can now create a much more interesting and multifaceted (but not necessarily multicolored) outfit.

Knit and combed cotton ties can be just as good alternative to the silk tie, especially when you’re dressing for a creative black tie or casual event. Heck, you can even try pleather its sheer risque factor. But regardless of which route you take, the necktie should never be exactly the same as the shirt and suit it’s paired with.

Proportion Please
Necktie designers have realized that there’s no single design for every man on the planet, and it’s about time you learned that too. Just like there are different cuts of pants for men of different builds, various styles of ties also exist for guys of differing sizes. Modern ties can range from the very broad (think extremely broad styles from the 1940’s) to the ultra-slim (think D&G for Spring 2010).

From there, it’s all pretty straightforward, really. Bigger guys should stick to bigger ties, while slimmer men should do the opposite. It all comes down to proportion, one of the most basic aesthetic elements in fashion. Maintaining proportion will keep you looking sharp, even when you’re wearing less-than-fashionable stuff.

Every man should know how wear a necktie. Because it’s one of the most ubiquitous men’s fashion accessories in the world, wearing ties is a skill that any man can hardly go without.

Pohl is a regular writer on style advice for guys. To date more than 100 articles have been published by online mens fashion sites. He is also the founder of necktie store: Ties-necktie.com/ - a retailer for finest mens ties, bowties, cufflinks, and an interactive men’s fashion blog.

[tags]mens fashion tips,necktie style advice,how to wear mens neck ties[/tags]