It wasn’t too long ago that tie clips were seen as old news, but they’re making something of a comeback. Able to add an extra dash of panache to an outfit while serving the practical purpose of keeping your tie fixed to your shirt, the tie clip is a small accessory that can have big results.
Unfortunately, many men still aren’t clued into how tie clips are worn. Make sure you don’t commit their mistakes.
Don’t Go Too High or Too Low
It’s a real shame to see a man wearing a tie clip either too low or too high; they’ve obviously made the effort to sharpen up, but they’ve shot themselves in the foot by not reading up on proper positioning. And it really is an easy rule to remember – all you need to do is keep the tie clip between the third and fourth buttons of your dress shirt.
Don’t Bunch
One of the most common tie clip errors is wearing one that extends beyond the width of the tie itself. This can partly be addressed by using a clip of the right size – you don’t want a regular tie clip when you’re wearing a skinny tie. However, you still need to be careful when you’re fastening the clip. Make sure you don’t bunch the tie together or end up with an edge folded under.
Don’t Keep Things Tight
Some people assume that a tie clip should be used to keep your tie held down fast, but that’s not really true. A tie clip should keep a tie in position, but it shouldn’t hold like a vice. Before you fasten it, pull your tie up a little bit to make sure there’s a tiny amount of slack. Not doing so will make the tie look constricted and rob it of its sense of depth. Why would you want that?
Don’t Angle
You could flip through a hundred editions of GQ and still never find an actor, model, or singer who could pull off an angled tie clip. There are times when you can get a little creative, but this isn’t one of them. When you slip your tie clip on each morning, remember to stand up straight and make sure the position is perfect. Check throughout the day to ensure the clip hasn’t moved.
