Tie Length

[DrewMill]

I was on Shibumi-Firenze's site today and was looking at their two tie lengths for the 9 cm ties (147 cm and 160 cm). Is there a simple way to determine, based on your height what length tie would work better for you? Obviously, individual factors could alter this like a long or short torso, etc. But is there a general guideline out there that helps when choosing tie lengths? Thanks in advance!

 

[ladislav.jancik]

You want your tie blade to touch the waist of your trousers. I am 180 cm and my tie is 147 cm long. That is sufficient with mid-rise trousers and more than enough with high-rise trousers considering that both ends of the tie are in approximately same length when tied up with old-bertie or four-in-hand knot.

 

[WhereNext]

Excerpt below taken from Sam Hober's website (I'm not affiliated with the shop other than the fact I buy from them). I think this lays out pretty concisely how you get the right length tie for you (including how high you wear your pants, your chest or stomach size, neck size, etc.).

"To determine the correct tie length.

First, please measure untied your best fitting tie from tip to tip.

Next, tie your tie and note how many inches from your belt the big and small ends are.

Our goal is to have the large end when you are wearing your tie be in the area of your belt (or where you prefer it if you are wearing braces), and for the small end to be 2 inches above the large end. Occasionally some gentlemen prefer for the big and small ends to be of equal length we do not suggest this but will be happy to make any length that you wish.

So for example if your tie is 57 inches tip to tip and when wearing your tie the big end is roughly on your belt buckle and the small end is 2 inches higher 57 inches is a good length.

If the small end is 4 inches above the big end add 2 inches (57+2=59) to get a good length of 59 inches.

If the small end is below your big end then your tie is too long and you would subtract. So for example if your small end is 3 inches below your belt you would subtract 5 inches to get a length of (57-5 = 52) 52 inches.

As an example if you have a length that you like for a four-in-hand knot, we generally will add two inches to the four-in-hand length for a half-Windsor or 3 inches for a full Windsor knot."

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

^ and ^^ The answer for optimal tie fit. Best is the tip of the blade hitting the top of the waistband. Like Felix Leiter's on the left here. If it hits at about the bottom of the waistband, that's okay. There's more debate about shorter fits. A bit above the waistband is okay. But not likely to be a problem, because most RTW ties are too long for trousers with a properly high rise.

A man around 180 cm with a normal-length and slimmer-girth torso and mid-rise trousers will do fine with a 58 inch tie. For high-rise trousers, 57 or even 56 inches is probably better. 63 inches is for basketball players or rotund men only.

If you can wait, Sam Hober or Patrizio Cappelli will make you a bespoke tie for cheaper than Shibumi RTW. Hobers drape wonderfully. I have a couple. And I hear only good things about P. Cappellis.

Edit: What Hober says about Windsors makes sense. Why anyone would want to tie a full Windsor is beyond me.

 

[DrewMill]

Excerpt below taken from Sam Hober's website (I'm not affiliated with the shop other than the fact I buy from them). I think this lays out pretty concisely how you get the right length tie for you (including how high you wear your pants, your chest or stomach size, neck size, etc.).

"To determine the correct tie length.

First, please measure untied your best fitting tie from tip to tip.

Next, tie your tie and note how many inches from your belt the big and small ends are.

Our goal is to have the large end when you are wearing your tie be in the area of your belt (or where you prefer it if you are wearing braces), and for the small end to be 2 inches above the large end. Occasionally some gentlemen prefer for the big and small ends to be of equal length we do not suggest this but will be happy to make any length that you wish.

So for example if your tie is 57 inches tip to tip and when wearing your tie the big end is roughly on your belt buckle and the small end is 2 inches higher 57 inches is a good length.

If the small end is 4 inches above the big end add 2 inches (57+2=59) to get a good length of 59 inches.

If the small end is below your big end then your tie is too long and you would subtract. So for example if your small end is 3 inches below your belt you would subtract 5 inches to get a length of (57-5 = 52) 52 inches.

As an example if you have a length that you like for a four-in-hand knot, we generally will add two inches to the four-in-hand length for a half-Windsor or 3 inches for a full Windsor knot."

Good idea, thanks!!