what's the consensus on the number of ties/colors I should have in my rotation? i've developed tieAD and have been trying to include colors and patterns I don't have. I have quite a few striped ties in blue and about 4 black ties with a few odd colors here and there (red, silver, green, etc), but i'm going for variety. I'm not a huge fan of pattern ties like paisley and plaid but I could be persuaded if the colors were interesting. right now I think I need more reds - anyone have suggestions as to what colors/patterns are a must-have?
how many different ties/colors should I have?
- Thread starter gaseousclay
- Start date
Consensus? 
People who know how many ties they have either don't have enough ties or are waaaay too obsessive/compulsive ... rainman-esque, even ... about that sort of thing. So, get a lot of ties.
People who know how many ties they have either don't have enough ties or are waaaay too obsessive/compulsive ... rainman-esque, even ... about that sort of thing. So, get a lot of ties.
Get a silver tie, in herringbone or something similar with a small, repeating woven texture. Paired with a white shirt and black shoes/belt, it's about as dressy as you can get a suit to be.
What's the most?
As for which ties, I'm sure my choices won't be yours so I won't go there.
But for how many (this requires a bit of algebra):
Estimate the absolute minimum you can get by with. (if it is fewer than you have, guess again
) Call this "T"
Estimate the absolute maximum you will ever need. Double that number and call it "D".
Estimate the most reasonable number. Call this "A"
Solve the equation TAD = (T x A x D)/1
But for how many (this requires a bit of algebra):
Estimate the absolute minimum you can get by with. (if it is fewer than you have, guess again
) Call this "T"Estimate the absolute maximum you will ever need. Double that number and call it "D".
Estimate the most reasonable number. Call this "A"
Solve the equation TAD = (T x A x D)/1
I miss my ties. No one wears ties in my line of work (these days).
Nate.
Nate.
stripes. lots of stripes. everywhere stripes.
I hate ties. I never wear a tie unless I have to.
I think I have 10... I just bought 4 at the BB semi annual sale. Those are pretty nice. I think I'm going to have to go back and get more though... Need to upgrade my solids.
I think I have 10... I just bought 4 at the BB semi annual sale. Those are pretty nice. I think I'm going to have to go back and get more though... Need to upgrade my solids.
There really is no set number of ties you need, just what you think you need.
In my rotation...
6 solid color ties wih no designs (red, dark blue, silver, charcoal, black, yellow)
3 plaid ties (two are Burberry...go figure)
10-12 striped ties of varying colors (red/blue, pinks/white/blue, blue/white, yellow/blue,...)
10-15 ties with simple designs that are not too overpowering (today's tie is a silver base color with small red, blue, and green diamonds).
0 paisley
I am always looking at ties, but rarely pick one up unless I know it will be worn. What good does it do hanging in a closet?! From the ties I have my favorites are the Burberry's, a DKNY, a Brooks Brothers, and a couple BCBG's. These stand out due to construction, fabric quality, and how the knots lay when tied. I always tie either a full or half windsor (a Four-in-hand knot looks sloppy IMO) knot.
In my rotation...
6 solid color ties wih no designs (red, dark blue, silver, charcoal, black, yellow)
3 plaid ties (two are Burberry...go figure)
10-12 striped ties of varying colors (red/blue, pinks/white/blue, blue/white, yellow/blue,...)
10-15 ties with simple designs that are not too overpowering (today's tie is a silver base color with small red, blue, and green diamonds).
0 paisley
I am always looking at ties, but rarely pick one up unless I know it will be worn. What good does it do hanging in a closet?! From the ties I have my favorites are the Burberry's, a DKNY, a Brooks Brothers, and a couple BCBG's. These stand out due to construction, fabric quality, and how the knots lay when tied. I always tie either a full or half windsor (a Four-in-hand knot looks sloppy IMO) knot.
- Thread starter
- #11
thanks for the suggestions. I definitely need to expand on my solid color ties, as I only have black at the moment. i've got quite a few striped ties and a couple with random patterns but i'd like to eventually incorporate plaid and a few other patterns into the mix. most of my ties are DKNY because they are the width I prefer and I think the quality is decent enough. I also agree that the four-in-hand looks sloppy
. I made the mistake of using a four-in-hand on my wedding day and now I cringe when I look at our photos...my tie is definitely lopsided. I prefer the pratt/shelby knot for its symmetry and the fact that I can use it with a spread or narrow collar.
I'm a clothes horse going way back. When I provided my insurance agent a home inventory she said my ties could be considered a "collection.'
It sort of depends on how often you need to wear a tie. If you wear everyday for work. it's good to have a wide variety I think.
Ties are an easy way, and least expensive way really, to "paint" your look a bit differently everyday.
I don't buy them very often, and I see now the high end ones are hitting close to $200. But there are plenty of quality ties for less than that.
Check out Charles Tyrwhitt and Harvie and Hudson. After seeing Doc4 laud the Jermyn Street shirters in another thread, I made a couple of purchases. I got a fantastic tie from H&H for $64 US. Their selection is conservative, but it's good, timeless, stylish stuff.
It sort of depends on how often you need to wear a tie. If you wear everyday for work. it's good to have a wide variety I think.
Ties are an easy way, and least expensive way really, to "paint" your look a bit differently everyday.
I don't buy them very often, and I see now the high end ones are hitting close to $200. But there are plenty of quality ties for less than that.
Check out Charles Tyrwhitt and Harvie and Hudson. After seeing Doc4 laud the Jermyn Street shirters in another thread, I made a couple of purchases. I got a fantastic tie from H&H for $64 US. Their selection is conservative, but it's good, timeless, stylish stuff.
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Aw shucks.
I actually haven't tried the H&H ties, only the Tyrwhitt ones ... IMHO the quality has gone downhill a bit over the past few years, but still pretty good if you make sure you get "handmade" in England/Italy. Sale on now.
Now I have more than enough ties, so if I am going to add one to my collection it's likely to be a stunner from Drakes of London.
My current rotation is between 90 to 100 ties. What can I say, I like ties.
To answer your question, you should have at least 12, one per special monthly event (whatever that may be.)
To answer your question, you should have at least 12, one per special monthly event (whatever that may be.)
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- Thread starter
- #15
I like ties too
. i'm not really going for quantity per se, rather, i'd like to have ties that cover the full color spectrum as seen on AAAC's color coordination guide. I basically don't want to have too many of the same color or pattern but a wide range of colors and patterns
All any gentlemen really needs are yellow and red ties. They go with everything.
Military stripe ties in dark blue and burgundy are always good.
I would advise you to concentrate on material & texture, rather than color or pattern. Let the material do the work for you.
But then, I tend to favor subtle textures & patterns, or solid colors, usually muted colors--browns, greys, golds. My favorites are solid color knit ties or wool ties, in a subtle herringbone or woven texture. Loud patterns, bold stripes are a BIG no-no for me. Bright colors are OK ONLY if not part of a pattern.
It is true that I have very limited tastes. YMMV
But then, I tend to favor subtle textures & patterns, or solid colors, usually muted colors--browns, greys, golds. My favorites are solid color knit ties or wool ties, in a subtle herringbone or woven texture. Loud patterns, bold stripes are a BIG no-no for me. Bright colors are OK ONLY if not part of a pattern.
It is true that I have very limited tastes. YMMV
I like my pink tie
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