How To Best Wear The Skinny Necktie

Skinny neck ties were popular during the 1950s and 1960s and were acceptable in formal business attire. Today, skinny neck ties are most common in casual dress. The retro look has made skinny neck ties popular once again. Retro fashion is an interpretation of the styles of the past. The 50s and the 60s are the current hot trends in retro fashion.

When it comes to skinny ties, the bolo is the skinniest of all. It is commonly worn with western wear and looks well on casual, plaid western shirts. In the American southwest, it is acceptable to substitute a bolo for a traditional neck tie in formal business attire. The popularity of the bolo may be linked to the very hot, dry climate of many southwestern states. The bolo is lighter and looser than the traditional neck tie.

The retro neck tie is usually one and a half to two inches wide. The narrow part of the tie may be as narrow as three quarters of inch. Because the tie is so narrow, one of the problems with it is that the back part of the tie tends to hang visibly with the front unless it is clipped in place. The skinny tie looks best on men of lean to average build. It isn't a good look for larger men. Since skinny ties are meant for fun, they are usually worn by younger men.

The proper way to wear a skinny tie is with a four in hand knot. The top button of the shirt is worn open and the knot of the tie hangs below the collar. It may be worn with a colored or patterned sports shirt. Since it is casual attire, the skinny tie can be worn without a jacket.

The popularity of skinny ties in casual dress has caused them to make a comeback in business attire as well. While skinny ties may not be best with formal business attire, they are certainly acceptable with business casual. They can give a jacket and sports shirt a trendy look, especially for young men and those who want to look young. When worn with business attire the top shirt button should be closed and the tie should be worn over it.

The most popular colors in skinny ties are black and navy, but other colors are available. Matching skinny ties is less about color and more about knowing when and how to wear them. As with any fashion trend what is in today can be out tomorrow, so it is best to use restraint and buy only one or two of a trendy item. Maybe next year everyone will be wearing skinny ties with business suits, or maybe not.