I feel like revamping my tie wardrobe and getting skinnier ties

josepidal · Oct 25, 2009

I just watched "500 Days of Summer". I liked the movie, but I particularly liked how the character had a consistent style that carried from scenes where he wore khakis and sweater vests to scenes where he was in suits. The look centered around skinny ties, including knits.

I'm a stouter fellow and my ties are almost all in the 3.75 to 4.00 range. I now feel like attempting to revamp my wardrobe and look for ties in the 3.25 to 3.50 range. It's not just the movie; I have a couple of 3.50 Kitons and realize I've been liking them more and more when I wear them.

Should you guys talk me out of this and hopefully help me save more of my hard earned teaching money for shoes?

teddieriley · Oct 25, 2009

Perhaps instead of dumping or entirely replacing your larger width ties, you can acquire a new tie a month and do it gradually, seeing as you now have a better sense of the direction you want to go. And why are you asking people on the forum to talk you out of something that is meant to develop your personal style? In any event, I don't think it is buying skinnier ties per se that will give you the look you want. You may have to look at everything else in your wardrobe for congruency.

Parker · Oct 25, 2009

3.25-3.5 doesn't seem too skinny to me. If you want that 500 Days look I think you're talking 3" and under.

Also, your ties should be somewhat proportionate to your lapels. So if you go too skinny and your lapels are still wide, you might be looking funny.

Corniche · Oct 25, 2009

bAD IDEA

kuwisdelu · Oct 25, 2009

If you like your current ties, you can always have them altered to be skinnier. I believe TieCrafters offers this service. It'll still cost you, but much less than acquiring all new ties.

SpooPoker · Oct 25, 2009

IMO, 4" ties should be out of any rotation period. It seems to me the new norm is 3.75 as a business tie, judging by Hermes and Ferragamo-esque ones. 3"-3.25" define a sleeker, more modern business form which compliments a narrower lapel, and anything under 3" should be considered "trendy" thin... my .02.

Infrasonic · Oct 25, 2009

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

IMO, 4" ties should be out of any rotation period. It seems to me the new norm is 3.75 as a business tie, judging by Hermes and Ferragamo-esque ones. 3"-3.25" define a sleeker, more modern business form which compliments a narrower lapel, and anything under 3" should be considered "trendy" thin... my .02.
What he said...

DocHolliday · Oct 25, 2009

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

IMO, 4" ties should be out of any rotation period. It seems to me the new norm is 3.75 as a business tie, judging by Hermes and Ferragamo-esque ones. 3"-3.25" define a sleeker, more modern business form which compliments a narrower lapel, and anything under 3" should be considered "trendy" thin... my .02.

With the trend toward bigger lapels, I'm thinking the 4-inchers are on their way back. Pendulum has to swing from the skinny ones that have been popular for a while now.

SpooPoker · Oct 25, 2009

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

With the trend toward bigger lapels, I'm thinking the 4-inchers are on their way back. Pendulum has to swing from the skinny ones that have been popular for a while now.

The lapel statement is an unfortunate fact. However, if the OP wants to revamp his tie wardrobe, I would stick with a 3.5". Its a classic and will work with most lapel widths without looking too dated like a 4+" (30s, 40s, 70s eras ) or an ultra skinny (50s, 60s, 80s eras )

josepidal · Oct 26, 2009

Originally Posted by Parker

If you want that 500 Days look I think you're talking 3" and under.
I was thinking that I've put on a bit of weight, so nothing less than 3.25.

The Louche · Oct 26, 2009

Originally Posted by Parker

3.25-3.5 doesn't seem too skinny to me. If you want that 500 Days look I think you're talking 3" and under.

Also, your ties should be somewhat proportionate to your lapels. So if you go too skinny and your lapels are still wide, you might be looking funny.

This. I went through a phase when I bought a bunch of 3" ties a few years ago. I still have most and wear them on occasion, but, aside from knits, I've started buying all 3.5 inch ties. To my eye, this is a pleasingly neutral width that will always be appropriate. It also perfectly matches the lapels of my suits, which are all from the same MTM maker.

Sanguis Mortuum · Oct 26, 2009

Don't forget the option of getting your existing ties made narrower, it may be cheaper than buying new ones, though of course it would rule out the option of easily going back to the wider size.

CharlesAlexander · Oct 26, 2009

I personally perfer 3.25" to 3.5" ties. Currently all of our ties are 3.25". Partly because slimmer ties seem to be what's popular now.

bowtielover · Oct 26, 2009

One or two skinny ties is ok but you don't want to switch conmepletley. Thios look is just a fad and like all fads they tend to come and go. Yopu don't want to be the guy with a closet full of skinnys ties once they've lost popularity again.

IBJanky · Oct 26, 2009

All the ties I wear nowadays are under 3" in width.

myke

I feel like revamping my tie wardrobe and getting skinnier ties

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