Black Ties: Not So Somber

There's a widespread notion that black ties suggest mourning, and that they should only be worn for wakes and funerals. Believing that, however, will make you miss out on one of the most popular style staples of modern men's fashion. In the last few years alone, noir neckties have gained both status and ubiquity throughout the world. Here's how to make that black tie more 'fashionable' than 'final viewing.'

Colors Give Life
Everyone knows the look, solid black necktie, plain white shirt and all-black suit, that simply screams 'funeral director'. Unless you really are in the mortuary business, an all-monochromatic look is something that you should avoid at all costs.

Mix up your style by adding lighter and less somber colors here and there. Swap out the severe black suit for something in light to medium gray, for example; a tan suit can work just as well for some men. Go with a shirt that has some color, such as a light blue or a light yellow piece. Better yet, try one that's got some print to it, such as a small check or a not-so-serious stripe that'll lighten the mood.

Your goal is to diversify the range of colors you're wearing. What most often leads men to create the mortician look is extreme adherence to a basic aesthetic. Non-black pieces aren't as visually heavy as all noir, so you'll end up with a happier, fresher outfit.

This Black, Not That Black
In the complex, non-binary world of men's fashion, one black can be very different from another black, even if you call them both 'black'. That's a key concept you should know to keep even your monochromatic looks from becoming terminally boring and dull.

Something as basic as a black necktie, for example, can come in innumerable variants. There are knit ties to give a bit of chunk to your look. Traditionally textured neckties like the grenadine style are subtle but stylish. Even the color itself can vary very widely, from a deep matte black to a shiny black sheen and even to a tarnished patina. All of these deviations from the standard department store black will liven up your look.

When you don't want to move away from black and white but don't want to wander into boring territory at the same time, play around with details and textures. They'll let you maintain the color you originally planned and create a more visually interesting outfit thanks to the depth and volume they define. It might take a little searching because these aren't the most common materials, but the effect is definitely worth the effort.

Perfect Proportions
For fashion and design insiders, black most often suggests the nightlife, youth and a very modern edge. Notice how parties and venues targeted at the twenty-plus crowd go with navy, blacks and grays, while those for the older crowd stick to white and neutral tones. If you're going to go with that modern color scheme, though, you'd better match it with a fit that's just as up-to-date.

That means pieces that are as trim as possible. Having a lot of extra volume on a black and white outfit doesn't just make you look like a chess piece, it's downright unsightly. A form-fitting suit, trim shirt and slim cut pants will help dispel some of the more negative connotations of the black tie ensemble. Keep accessories and details as subtle as possible to maximize that Bauhaus aesthetic and thus make a style statement with your outfit.

Yes, the typical black tie ensemble can look boring and dismally somber. But that doesn't always have to be the case. A little tweaking and fine-tuning of your outfit here and there, and you can end up with a look that's as modern and fashionably edgy as you are.