subject: Neckties - The Many Splendoured Accessories [print this page] If you ever wonder what the difference between neckties and ties is, wonder no more. They are not different, just a variation of words. A necktie or a tie is a long article of clothing worn around the neck, under the collar and straight down the front of a shirt, serving usually as a formal accessory.
The complete look, called a suit, comprises a shirt, matching blazer and pants and the necktie. Neckties come in different colors, patterns, shapes and length, which most probably give headaches to men trying to wear them as part of their formal looks.
In its history, neckties were spotted by the fashionable Parisians who emulated Croatians wearing their traditional neckerchiefs. They decided the thing looked good and started wearing such themselves, for fun. What makes them turn into a must have accessory for formal wear, one thing which decides whether or not you can enjoy a meal at an elegant restaurant is still a mystery.
Not only do neckties determine your welcome to expensive restaurant and places, they also have a role in your career. It is commonly known, especially in some industries, that juniors and lower level staff are not required to wear neckties; it is the big guns who wear them. On that note, it is much safer to wear a necktie to a job interview than to wear no tie and risk being under-dressed.
As far as status symbols go, neckties can also tell you someone's educational background. Some middle schools in England and its commonwealth countries have neckties as part of their uniform. Graduates usually go to job interview wearing their schools ties to win points with seniors who might turn out to be the hiring manager.
Younger, novice necktie wearers are known to use clip on ties, neckties which are already knotted and only need to be clipped on to the collar of the shirt or fastened around the neck using a hook and eye.
For those who would like to learn, however, there are types of knots you can do to tie your neckties. Some people recognize different knots of a necktie and you never know who you impress by knowing how to tie the Windsor knot, one which is deemed to be the most difficult necktie knot. (The knot is dedicated to the Duke of Windsor although he was not the inventor, he simply was the ardent admirer.) The simplest knot is called four-in-hand, followed by the Pratt knot and then the half-Windsor.
If you consider yourself to be fashionably hopeless, your necktie choices should probably be those which are burgundy red and navy blue. These two colors are the most versatile of colors to pair with most business suits available in the market.
When it comes to pink ties, do not laugh when you see people, especially Japanese business men, wearing them. It is a common color worn in the business world of Japan. Wear black only with tuxedo if you don't want to be mistaken for waiters or someone attending a funeral.
