Suit Styling – Everything You Need To Know About Styling Tie Bars

Give a man a tie bar and he looks good for a day. Teach a man how to wear a tie bar and he will look Dappertastic for a lifetime. A tie bar is a small detail that can have a big impact on a look. The right time to wear a tie bar is forever. Not only does a tie bar help keep your necktie out of your bowl of cornflakes, it is the simplest and time-tested way to stand apart from the herd. Whether you’re wearing a three piece suit or a pair of blue jeans, a tie bar is a welcome addition to any outfit that includes a necktie. So go the extra mile and pick up a few tie bars.

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Where should you clip it?

The placement of your tie bar can make or break the look.  The ideal placement for a tie bar is around the middle to bottom of your sternum. Clip too high and this functional accessory is rendered ineffectual.  Too low can look awkward and even a bit silly. Within “the sweet spot,” a lower placement is more classic while a higher placement can create a slimming effect.For the modern man, a tie bar should extend 1/2 to 3/4 of the way across the width of your tie. For a more classic or retro look, select a tie bar that matches the full width of your tie. No matter your preference, never wear a tie bar that extends beyond the width of your tie.

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The colour?

You can’t go wrong with silver. It’s classic, matches almost anything, and looks great on everyone. But if gold is your thing or you’re wearing gold accessories, then go for it: it’s always best to make sure your metals match. Avoid colorful tie bars; it will just look like you are trying too hard. As with most menswear details, a tie bar should be an accent, not the topic of conversation. Remember,  always place the tie bar perpendicular to the tie and not at any other angle.

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Which style should I choose?

Tie bars come in two styles: pinch clasp and slide clasp. In general, I prefer a pinch clasp as I find it holds the tie more securely and stays in place better. However, if you have a thin tie, a slide clasp may be more appropriate as many pinch clasps are made to secure thicker fabrics and may not lay flat in that situation, making the clasp visible.

So choose the perfect tie bar, keep in mind the garment you are wearing. Go flaunt in style. Goodluck!