subject: Men's Fashion Gift Guide: Neckties [print this page] Finding a gift for any guy is difficult enough already, and finding a fashionable one for a man is harder still. Men's style is a complex world of rules and exceptions that few fully understand. From the perspective of a gift giver, it's also a delicate balance between a gift you can afford and one that the recipient will appreciate. Fortunately, the tightrope is a lot easier to walk on if you're planning to give a necktie.
Why a Necktie
Neckties are one of the most common items in any male wardrobe. Regardless of job or background, any guy over the age of 20 has at least a few hanging in there. It's even more crucial if the recipient works in the typical office environment where a necktie is a must on the daily office outfit. In short, the recipient might not like it as much as you'd hoped, but he'll almost certainly use it at some time in the future.
That's one of the things that make ties such a great gift: you're assured that, one way or another, the gift will get used by the recipient. Even if his tastes aren't exactly in line with yours, there's still a high possibility that he'll keep your gift in his closet anyway - much better than if he'd passed the gift forward or 'regifted' it.
Another reason why ties are so favored by gift givers is that they're so available. Whether you've got $15 or $150 to spend, there's a tie that can be had for your budget. It's flexible, making it great for every kind of gift giving situation, from the single premium tie for the boss to dozens of generic ones sent out to every guy in the office.
Buying the Gift
Once you get to the store, you're likely to fall into that dilemma of not knowing which design to get. After all, modern tie manufacturers can make their wares in a near limitless range of sizes, styles, colors and designs. It's exactly like the kind of fashion problem you face when picking out a tie for yourself, except this time you're never really sure of what the recipient would exactly like style-wise.
When shopping for someone else - regardless of which style piece it is you decide to buy - the best strategy is always to go safe. Had you been picking out something else to give like a shirt, for example, you would've opted for the simplest piece with the least amount of designs. That's exactly the kind of mindset you should have, especially when it's a tie that you're picking out for someone else
Solid ties, therefore, would be the most strategic way to go because you're least likely to trample on the recipient's fashion sensibilities that way. If you were ever to go for a print or a pattern, go with one that's simple like a stripe or a micro-dot. In terms of style, these are the closest relatives of the solid necktie, and therefore are almost as safe.
The Presentation
Keep in mind that giving gifts is as much about how the gift looks like as the gift itself. That is, presentation can make a cheap gift look fantastic, or the priciest one seem cheap. That's why you should always keep the appearance of the gift in mind before you commit to buying anything at the store.
Stay away from cheap and cheap-looking materials like shiny fabrics and huge brand prints, for example. These detract from the image of even the most expensive designer brand tie. Cheap materials should be absent even in the container; invest a couple of extra dollars on that nice box and wrapping paper, because it makes the gift you gave seem so much pricier than the others' and sets it apart from the rest of the crowd.
Neckties carry an air of dignity in the world of men's fashion, and keeping in line with that identity should help you find the perfect tie and a great way to prepare it. They're a great gift already by themselves; they can make the perfect gift for anyone on your list once you learn how to give them properly.
