Tie colors and patterns -- which are essential?

[Palladio]

What color / pattern combinations are essential for every man to own, assuming that he owns a standard men's wardrobe (as described in other threads on this forum)?

I thought of a dark red one, with a very subtle pattern, for job interviews, then drew a blank. What are the basics?

 

[Grayland]

Great post. I look forward to the responses.

 

[josepidal]

Look for Will's blog ("A Suitable Gentleman&quot as he had two very good and detailed posts on this topic.

 

[amerikajinda]

First of all, you should own a collection of silk foulard ties, striped silk rep ties, silk grenadine ties, some wool challis ties, some polka dot ties on dark backgrounds, silk paisley ties, some woven ties in silver, gray and black, and some small-patterned English Spittlefield or Macclesfield ties. That should get you started.

 

[dagenham]

i think you should always have a few solid ties, navy/blue, black, maybe grey, maroon/dark red. then you can experiment more with shirt patterns.

 

[Will]

One man's opinion on the necktie wardrobe, in two parts. The second part is the day after the first.

http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/...be-part-1.html

 

[josepidal]

But one very dapper man, mind you!

 

[LabelKing]

I can't stand those solid red ties that politicians wear. I much prefer silk repp ties.

 

[DocHolliday]

I can't rate solid grenadines highly enough. If I could own only three ties, they'd probably be solid black, burgundy and navy grenadines.

I'm also a big fan of knits, for casual wear. And I keep a couple of widths of navy ties with silver dots.

 

[Palladio]

Excellent, thanks for all the responses so far.

Now, what brands are recommended for ties, and what do they cost, approximately, at retail? I've been wondering what the Allen Edmonds of ties is, what the Crockett and Jones is, etc.