The rules of men's fashion change, and they can change fast. Some of the most exalted from a few decades ago no longer apply. Big shoulder pads are passe, Thom Browne can wear pants that show ankle and Marc Jacobs can not wear pants at all. Neckties, however, have changed little since their introduction into the male wardrobe. Messing with the time-honored age-appropriate traditions rarely turns out well. You have been warned.
Skinny Ties
Even the twentysomethings are beginning to give up on this fad, and there's even less of a reason for you if you're over 30. Skinny ties suggest rebellion and anti-establishment feeling, hardly appropriate if you've been on a corporate leash for the past decade. Give the skinny neckties up for something less haphazard and more promotion-friendly.
Now that the world of men's fashion is a freer market than ever, there's no reason for you to get stuck with an ugly necktie. Go with a regular width tie or, if you really want to slim down, pick out one of those slim or bar ties. There are a million ways for your necktie to go without it looking like a bolo, and all of those other routes have outcomes that look infinitely better. And being a 'rocker' is no excuse; even Bono doesn't do skinny ties.
Cheap Neckties
Although the fashion police might have turned a blind eye on this when you first went to prom, there's no more excuse for this faux pas once you reach financial independence. A tie that was bought for cheap will most likely look cheap as well, and that's hardly the kind of impression you'd want to create for anybody, whether it's your boss or girlfriend.
Invest in good neckties, even if you have to save up for a couple of months to buy just one. Skip the $5 bargain rack and go for something in at least the $30 to $50 range. The ideal necktie, the ones with five to seven layers of good fabric, can usually be found in the $75 to $100 range, while premium ties go for about $125 and up. You get the necktie you pay for, so don't hesitate to splurge a little bit in the neckwear section.
Besides, it's not like you need to wear a completely different necktie everyday. Once you perfect the art of matching shirts and ties, you'd need a very small number of shirts and ties to get you through a week without any repeats. And since you don't need quantity, you have a bigger allowance to invest in individual quality.
Novelty Ties
They're unforgivable at any age but are much more egregious during your midlife crisis years because you're expected to have some semblance of a fashion sense by then. No self-respecting (or fashion-conscious) man over 30 should dare wear a novelty tie, unless he's going around pretending to be his worst enemy.
Novelty neckties, the ones with rainbows, balloons, cartoon characters or any sort of infantile print on them, are antithetic to the concept of a tie. A necktie is meant to be a restrained, subtle statement of style, not a mini-billboard to show your preferences with wallpaper. Besides, the garish prints often make it very hard for you to combine a novelty necktie with any other piece in your wardrobe.
Take the tried and tested route: go with solid neckties or, at the most adventurous, one with a regimental stripe or a micro check pattern. The outcome might not be as exciting and daring as you'd hoped, but at least you'll always turn out sharp and stylish. And when you're past 30, being sharp and stylish counts for a lot.
When in doubt, just remember the reason why every necktie exists. They're traditional elements of men's fashion, meant to be formal and understated in every possible way. If the tie you're considering doesn't fit that description, put it back on the rack and step out of the teens' section of the department store.
