Not The Ordinary, Everyday Tie

Your closet probably holds a couple dozen regular ties made of cotton, polyester and silk, the typical fabrics, in short. And while these are fine for regular wear-to-work days, it's inevitable that you will want to mix things up for special occasions like a date or a night out on the town. Here are a few out-of-the-box ties that you'll want to get into your closet.

Knit Ties
For the longest time, ties have been confined as merely two-dimensional pieces; all their value is dictated by what's printed on them. Knit ties really shook up the status quo back when they were just being introduced.

A knit tie, from afar, looks like a simple solid colored tie. Step a little nearer, though, and it's subtle textures will suddenly pop out at you. Without needing any print or design, knit ties are already very interesting articles of clothing by themselves. Best of all, they're a very versatile alternative to the classic tie; a knit piece looks as good with your sharpest suit jacket as it does with your favorite slouchy cardigan.

Be warned, though, that knit ties are strictly for casual occasions where people are willing to loosen the dress code. It's the kind of thing to be worn for the office Christmas party and not for that day when you're to appear before the Board of Directors.

Narrow Ties
There are regular ties (the ones in the classic proportion) and the slightly narrower slim ties. And then there are the narrow ties. Instead of the usual diamond shape where the tie widens and then tapers down, narrow ties just fall down in a straight line.

If you're fortunate enough to have the slim or athletic build that this kind of tie requires, it'll help even out the proportions of your body and make you look more attractive overall. And because the tie is slim, make sure that everything else about your outfit is sleek and streamlined. Suit jackets must slightly hug, pants must be a close fit and the shirt should be all but molded to your torso.

Gaining wider acceptance at more formal events, this kind of tie is usually associated with the young and avant garde set. And if your BMI is leaning on the heavier end of Normal, you'll want to steer clear of these unless you want to look like a human lollipop.

Textured Ties
In place of soft silk or cotton blends, some necktie manufacturers have begun making designs from stiffer materials like leather, real or otherwise. And while the idea takes some getting used to, you'll have to agree that the resulting appearance is unique indeed.

Unlike regular ties that you combine with your shirt, a textured tie is more of a highlight piece that you'll want to emphasize with a blank canvas like a solid white shirt. The texture, which is usually an embossed design, makes you interesting to both visual and tactile observers. It's also the kind of item that'll be sure to set you apart, even if you're wearing just a plain monochromatic ensemble.

Although nobody's mentioned it explicitly yet, this style of necktie has an age limit that reserves it for just the younger crowd. Older guys wearing textured ties will likely look more like dirty old geezers than distinguished gentlemen. And should you wear this kind of tie anytime soon, be sure to observe the same rules as the ones for narrow ties.

There's no harm in trying a new style of necktie, especially if it's for a special occasion, but you'll always have to keep two things in mind. First, never wear any of these to a formal events, except when you're the host. Second, always do a dry-run when trying out anything new. You don't want to plan some revolutionary outfit only to discover its shortcomings right before the party.