This is for a semi-formal event at school. I have a black outfit that consists of black pants and a black dress shirt. I'm having the hardest time finding a good color/design on a tie. What do you guys suggest?
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What tie should I get?
- Thread starter goodtimes5
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goodtimes5 said:
black is very neutral and one suggestion is to wear the school color for the tie...that is, unless it is white
a white tie would be too strong of a contrast to black on black, imho
I would go with a dark, somewhat muted, tie. A dark red or dark blue would be my choice. You want to offset the black without being too brash about it (i.e. bright colors).
I might suggest that you visit your local department store and ask for assistance in picking out a tie. (I actually got a date from a really nice lady at a J.C. Penny's once...) Be aware that the lights at those stores can do some funny things to the color of a tie.
A total side story...I was in a wind ensemble at chruch where we were asked to wear black for the preformance. I showed up for rehersal with a neon yellow tie. The director looked right at me an asked if I was seriously going to wear that tie (which in fact did disappear before the preformance).
I might suggest that you visit your local department store and ask for assistance in picking out a tie. (I actually got a date from a really nice lady at a J.C. Penny's once...) Be aware that the lights at those stores can do some funny things to the color of a tie.
A total side story...I was in a wind ensemble at chruch where we were asked to wear black for the preformance. I showed up for rehersal with a neon yellow tie. The director looked right at me an asked if I was seriously going to wear that tie (which in fact did disappear before the preformance).
Blue?
I have this tie, my GF bought it for me, its one of my favorites. Actually mine is a little different than this one, but its still similar.
I thinks its a little formal but also a little fun. I have about 100000 ties.
Striped ties are in, so if you want to be "in", get a striped tie. Bow ties are also in
(seriosuly)
Personally I would not suggest a black dress shirt.
Check out J. Crew, they have a good selection of ties and good prices.
I have this tie, my GF bought it for me, its one of my favorites. Actually mine is a little different than this one, but its still similar.
I thinks its a little formal but also a little fun. I have about 100000 ties.
Striped ties are in, so if you want to be "in", get a striped tie. Bow ties are also in
(seriosuly)Personally I would not suggest a black dress shirt.
Check out J. Crew, they have a good selection of ties and good prices.
See if pink looks good.
I don't mean just a plain, bright pink tie. I mean different shades, with stripes, some black and blue in it.. I found one and it is AWESOME.
I don't mean just a plain, bright pink tie. I mean different shades, with stripes, some black and blue in it.. I found one and it is AWESOME.
For any necktie, you have three basic variables to work with:
Color - - its not just what "matches": its also how much contrast you want to have for the occasion.
Textile's texture - - a tight and smooth silk, or a rougher knit?
Pattern - - a single color, or some sort of pattern?
For black pants, black shirt....Personal calls here:
Textile: I'd be inclined to lean towards a good silk tie rather than to a knit.
Colors:
Yellow, red, pink, most pastels, etc, all work, but will be high contrast. It can depend on your personality/mood/venue if they'll work.
Burgundy would be on my short list...since I have a tie in this color anyway and I like it.
Blue (especially darker shades): I woudn't. I think that it doesn't provide enough contrast and navy in particular will get lost on the black-on-black.
Black, even with patterns, will also probably tend to get lost too much.
White is too much of a cliche to even consider.
Grey will work, but can be too "monochrome" flat - you can spice it up by choosing a grey tie that has a pattern and/or other colors (or both).
Pattern:
For probably mostly darker colors, I'd lean towards a single color with no pattern. For the higher contrast stuff (yellow, etc), I'd consider a pattern so as to reduce the 'harshness' of the contrast. Grey needs to be punched up with some pattern/color to prevent becoming bland.
FWIW, if you're not 100% set on the black-on-black setup, another dark but snazzy combination can be the black pants with a solid black tie, offset by a dark *wine* colored shirt. I differentiate "wine" slightly from burgundy in that its slighly more purple/blueish and has a richer look to it than the burgundy shirts that often end up being more of a 'red brick' hue.
Make sure to post a pic of you in your final choice
-hh
Color - - its not just what "matches": its also how much contrast you want to have for the occasion.
Textile's texture - - a tight and smooth silk, or a rougher knit?
Pattern - - a single color, or some sort of pattern?
For black pants, black shirt....Personal calls here:
Textile: I'd be inclined to lean towards a good silk tie rather than to a knit.
Colors:
Yellow, red, pink, most pastels, etc, all work, but will be high contrast. It can depend on your personality/mood/venue if they'll work.
Burgundy would be on my short list...since I have a tie in this color anyway and I like it.
Blue (especially darker shades): I woudn't. I think that it doesn't provide enough contrast and navy in particular will get lost on the black-on-black.
Black, even with patterns, will also probably tend to get lost too much.
White is too much of a cliche to even consider.
Grey will work, but can be too "monochrome" flat - you can spice it up by choosing a grey tie that has a pattern and/or other colors (or both).
Pattern:
For probably mostly darker colors, I'd lean towards a single color with no pattern. For the higher contrast stuff (yellow, etc), I'd consider a pattern so as to reduce the 'harshness' of the contrast. Grey needs to be punched up with some pattern/color to prevent becoming bland.
FWIW, if you're not 100% set on the black-on-black setup, another dark but snazzy combination can be the black pants with a solid black tie, offset by a dark *wine* colored shirt. I differentiate "wine" slightly from burgundy in that its slighly more purple/blueish and has a richer look to it than the burgundy shirts that often end up being more of a 'red brick' hue.
Make sure to post a pic of you in your final choice
-hh
Dr. Dastardly said:
My thoughts would have been:
Semi-Formal = shirt, slacks, necktie, no jacket.
...but I'm a few too many years out of high school, so take with a suitably large grain of salt.
-hh
If you insist on going the black shirt, black pants combo, I suggest you not wear a tie.
If you're going to buy something, get wear a decent belt and make sure its black with a silver metallic buckle. No brown.
If you're going to buy something, get wear a decent belt and make sure its black with a silver metallic buckle. No brown.
Thanks for agreeing.
And don't get a black belt with a gold buckle unless you're name is Vinny or Enzo or something.
And don't get a black belt with a gold buckle unless you're name is Vinny or Enzo or something.
I have to say I agree with all those who have said a red/maroon. That's a sweet combo. Last year I did red shirt w/ black tie/jacket/pants.
-hh said:For any necktie, you have three basic variables to work with:
Color - - its not just what "matches": its also how much contrast you want to have for the occasion.
Textile's texture - - a tight and smooth silk, or a rougher knit?
Pattern - - a single color, or some sort of pattern?
For black pants, black shirt....Personal calls here:
Textile: I'd be inclined to lean towards a good silk tie rather than to a knit.
Colors:
Yellow, red, pink, most pastels, etc, all work, but will be high contrast. It can depend on your personality/mood/venue if they'll work.
Burgundy would be on my short list...since I have a tie in this color anyway and I like it.
Blue (especially darker shades): I woudn't. I think that it doesn't provide enough contrast and navy in particular will get lost on the black-on-black.
Black, even with patterns, will also probably tend to get lost too much.
White is too much of a cliche to even consider.
Grey will work, but can be too "monochrome" flat - you can spice it up by choosing a grey tie that has a pattern and/or other colors (or both).
Pattern:
For probably mostly darker colors, I'd lean towards a single color with no pattern. For the higher contrast stuff (yellow, etc), I'd consider a pattern so as to reduce the 'harshness' of the contrast. Grey needs to be punched up with some pattern/color to prevent becoming bland.
FWIW, if you're not 100% set on the black-on-black setup, another dark but snazzy combination can be the black pants with a solid black tie, offset by a dark *wine* colored shirt. I differentiate "wine" slightly from burgundy in that its slighly more purple/blueish and has a richer look to it than the burgundy shirts that often end up being more of a 'red brick' hue.
Make sure to post a pic of you in your final choice
-hh
I think I'm going to be set for the rest of my life now. Thanks for the superb advice.
And to Abstract, I never knew about the whole belt buckle color thing. I just tried on my formal belt, and it was too small. Now I know that I'm going to be shopping for a silver belt buckle.
It looks as if you have decided, but I love the hermes ties.
www.hermes.com
like this one. they tie great and you'll have them forever...or until you spill something on it.
www.hermes.com
like this one. they tie great and you'll have them forever...or until you spill something on it.
