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What's the right tie width for me?

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post #1 of 11

1/4/13 at 11:55pm

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Liquidus

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Two years ago I got this tie in a 3-inch width from Sam Hober. I picked 3 inches because I wanted something proportional to my slim body and it was a nice round number. However, it turns out that 3 inches is too slim for my tastes, especially in the chest area. Yes, I do need more practice on my tie knots.

(Please forgive the hasty picture)

Maybe it's partly the camera angle and distance, but I really like the proportion of Spoo's ties to his body in these photos

:

I'm about to order another new tie, but an unsure between 3.25" or 3.5." Obviously, I can order both, and maybe I will, but I'm wondering if anyone has a strong opinion one way or another. Thoughts?

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post #2 of 11

1/5/13 at 2:59am

Man Of Lint

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It appears that Spoo is wearing 4 inchers in those photos. You can do 3.5" with no worries.

post #3 of 11

1/6/13 at 6:52am

addedfuel

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I am no authority on this matter but my general rule is pairing tie width to collar & lapel width. I have a wide chest but have jackets with 3" lapel which I wear shirts with narrow collar then 3" ties and also wear wider ties with bigger peak lapel. I think it really depends on what's in your wardrobe.

post #4 of 11

1/6/13 at 9:20am

aravenel

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3.5" is "normal". That's what I'd go with, and adjust from there.

Can't tell if Spoo's are 4" or if they just don't taper very much. Spoo is pretty tall though (IIRC) so he can probably pull off a 4" tie... Me, not so much

post #5 of 11

1/6/13 at 4:43pm

SpooPoker
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My ties are 99.99999% 3.5" wide. I rarely deviate from that.

post #6 of 11

1/6/13 at 5:41pm

aravenel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

My ties are 99.99999% 3.5" wide. I rarely deviate from that.

Figures. 4" is really, really wide. I got one on eBay once that I wasnt paying close enough attention to, and when it came, it was 4". I'll never wear the thing, it's huge.

post #7 of 11

1/6/13 at 6:26pm

applky

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^ aravenel, Tiecrafters can narrow the tie for you easily.

Liquidus, I'm slim, 6' 150-ish lbs, and I find 3.25" to be perfect for me. There's one 2.75" tie I wear only because the silk is incredible (purple embroidered fleur de lys vertical twill if anyone knows of a source of something similar!) and can't bear to give it up. 8cm is a more common European width (esp. Drakes) that works out to 3.15", which you could try, but that tenth of an inch does make a difference. If you find 3.5" to just look too wide on you no matter what, 3.25" might be a good compromise.

post #8 of 11

1/7/13 at 4:30am

aravenel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by applky

^ aravenel, Tiecrafters can narrow the tie for you easily.

Yeah, I only paid $10 for it though, so not sure it's worth it.

Agreed about 3.25 being a good middle ground. 3.5 is where I would start though and go from there.

post #9 of 11

1/7/13 at 12:37pm

Thread Starter

Liquidus

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Thanks for the suggestions. I got a 3.5" width in the classic navy with white pindots.

post #10 of 11

1/7/13 at 5:33pm

dainese

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Yeah, I think 4" is huge. But i guess the taper of the tie shape (length wise) can determine your desired look. Perhaps where you tie the knot will also affect it?

I think your first photo depicts yourself very nicely!

post #11 of 11

1/7/13 at 7:14pm