EMBRACE YOUR TIES, CHAPS
Sara Hollamby
Style Counsel
IF women wore ties, I’d be first in line. They are the male equivalent of jewellery and scarves but possibly with even more attitude. Men often say to me: “Oh but women have more choice of clothing for work”. It is true that women can add skirts or dresses, but on the other hand more choice means more complex decisions to be made in the morning. Changing your tie according to your mood, your clients, or the weather is so much easier than deciding on footwear to go with the outfit or the coat – and that’s before you’ve even thought about colour.
You can also tell so much about a person’s character from a tie. Depending on the colours or pattern you choose, you could be flamboyant, conservative, serious, or eccentric. Even the way you tie it, from a tiny little school boy knot, to a big oversized double Windsor-and-some knot. Is it perfectly tied and sitting centrally in your collar? Are you revealing the buttons of your shirt? Do you have the dimple? Your tie could say more about you than you think. And they add vital colour to an otherwise deadly dull office suit, which in turn can bring the colour back into your face and eyes, and make you feel good about yourself.
So come on guys, if you’re going to wear a tie, go for a fine one (like the Duchamp beauty pictured). A good tie is all about the fabric, the colour, the pattern and the quality – and how it makes you feel. It’s such an easy way of giving your smart but boring winter suit that boost you’ve been looking for, not to mention your ego. Sara Hollamby is a business image consultant with WorkingVoices, [email protected]