Best Looking Tie Knot

You've come a long way since your dad taught you how to tie a basic necktie knot in front of the bathroom mirror, before your junior prom. Today you know that there are a range of different knots to suit a variety of outfits and occasions. But you still may be asking yourself, which knot is the best for any certain one occasion? How do you know which tie knot to use at what time? Here is a simple guide to selecting the best tie knot.

 

When you are in a hurry: When you need to make a great impression but are in a bit of a rush, you can rely on the Double Knot. It is quick and simple to form, so you can do it even when you are short on time. Plus, it looks good with all face shapes and sizes, and works with nearly any type of shirt collar. To complete the Double Knot, follow these four steps:

Starting with the tie around your neck, lay the wide end of the tie over top the narrow end.
Pass the wide end of the tie behind the narrow end a second time.
Bring the wide end of the tie up and over the layover that you created. Then, place the wide end into the loop that was formed by the first layer of the tie.
Pull the wide end all the way through, adjust the knot and slide it up to the center of your collar.

 

When are attending a formal event: When you want a tie knot to compliment your best suit, it's time to pull out the Windsor Knot, a knot with stately volume. Allow a bit of extra time to complete this knot, because it is a bit more challenging to form. The Windsor Knot must fit exactly between the two ends of the collar and hide your top button of your shirt, so I would recommend also wearing the appropriate necktie accessories to keep the knot in place and prevent it from shifting. To complete the Windsor Knot, follow these five steps:

Starting with the tie around your neck, lay the wide end of the tie over top the narrow end.
Bring the wide end of the tie up through the gap between your neck and the layover.
Take the wide end of the tie in your hand, and move it to the right behind the layover. Then move it forwards and up, then down into the gap between the layover and your neck.
Take the wide end of the tie around to the front of the layover, close to your neck, then pull it down through the loop that you just formed.
Hold the narrow end of the tie, and adjust the knot by sliding it up to the center of your collar.

 

When you're having trouble with your usual tie knot: Ever have one of those mornings when you've tried three times to get your tie knot to look professional, and you just can't seem to get it right? The most common culprit is that the tie is made from a heavier than average fabric. The best type of knot to use with a heavy or thick fabric is the Small Knot. The Small Knot is also very easy to complete, so you can quickly tie it after your other 3 failed attempts. To complete the Small Knot, follow these four steps:

Starting with the tie around your neck, lay the wide end of the tie over top the narrow end.
Place the wide end of the tie up and over the layover.
Hold the layover with one hand, then run the wide end of the tie behind the layover and up. Smooth out the wide end of the tie, and slide it down through the loop of the layover.
Adjust the knot and slide it up to the center of your collar.

 

About the Author

Author: Michael Taylor is a Marketing Manager at TIE SNUG. TIE SNUG eliminates continuous adjusting and makes wearing a tie more comfortable. The right tie accessories can ensure you look professional and help you stand out for the right reasons. So be confident knowing your tie knots look great. For more information, please visit http://www.tiesnug.com.

Dress Clothes Maintenance

It takes a lot of work to find a business wardrobe that fits well, looks good, is versatile and can be worn to a number of events and occasions. So once you have assembled a collection of dress clothes, it is well worth it to invest the time in caring for them properly. After all, if you don't properly care for your dress clothes, you will be out buying new ones before your time. Maintaining your dress clothes helps them to age gracefully and look good each time you wear them.

 



Button Up Shirts:

Chances are you have a good number of button up dress shirts in your wardrobe because they are so versatile. Most button up shirts are machine washable, and should be washed in cold or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle. Don't wash your white shirts in bleach every time, as this can actually cause yellowing. Only wash your white shirts in bleach if they start to look dingy and need to be freshened up, maybe every 6 months or so. Before ironing any shirt, you will need to check it for rips, tears, stains, or loose buttons. If you do spot a stain at any time, make sure to treat it before ironing it or putting it in the dryer, as heat will cause the stain to set. Do not use starch when ironing a shirt, as this will weaken the fibers and cause them to quickly wear down. For a crisp look, purchase shirts with a high quality thread count and iron them using steam. When hanging button up shirts in your closet, try to leave an inch or two between each hanger in order to allow the shirts to drape naturally. If you aren't one to spend the time in your laundry room, dress shirts should only be dry cleaned every so often. Not after every time you wear them or they will need to be replaced more frequently. A suggestion to prolong the life of the shirt is to wear an undershirt and wash that each time.

 

Ties and Necktie Accessories:

Any time you remove a tie, take the time to basically follow the tying steps in reverse. If you simply pull the thin end of the tie through the knot to remove it, you risk ruining the tie's shape. The way you store your ties is also very important to maintaining their shape and appearance. As soon as you take a tie off, hang it on a tie hanger or dowel in your closet. Whether a tie is silk or wool, the fabric is impressionable, and your ties should therefore be hung with care. When traveling, you can safely transport your ties by folding them into fours, or rolling them, then tucking them inside a sock. To avoid wrinkles, never wear the same tie two days in a row. Allow it to hang in order to regain its shape. When storing tie accessories, it is best to store sterling silver away from other pieces made of the same material. Storing sterling silver items together causes them to rub up against each other and possibly tarnish. An easy solution is to store your necktie accessories and cuff links in simple felt pouches, in a compartmentalized jewelry box, or wrapped in a piece of tissue paper.

 

Suits, Trousers, and Sport Jackets:

It may seem like a good idea to keep items such as this in airtight plastic garment bags. However, it is much more beneficial to store your suits in a place where air flow can get to them and they can breathe a bit. Plastic covering actually makes your clothing susceptible to mold, mildew and musty smells. Suits, trousers and sport jackets should be hung upright on wooden hangers. Cedar hangers are also a good option because they help absorb moisture and prevent moths. It is commonly thought that any time you get a item of dress clothing wrinkled, you must get it dry cleaned. In truth, you only need to get these items dry cleaned if they get irrecoverably dirty or smelly. Most items will be fine if you simply hang them up on your wooden hangers and let them breathe for a while. Plus, dry cleaning uses chemicals that wear down the fiber of your clothing, so it is best to do it as infrequently as possible. To freshen up your suits, trousers, sport jackets and even ties between wears, consider investing in a hand held steamer. Small stains can be steamed out, as can wrinkles.

 

To care for your dress clothes, of course a little bit of prevention and caution is always wise. Use care when you are wearing your dress clothes. Because if you are walking to the subway while listening to your Ipod and texting on your phone, and carrying a cup of coffee and a newspaper, well, and a trip to the dry cleaner's is inevitably in your future!

 

About the Author

Author: Michael Taylor is a Marketing Manager at TIE SNUG. TIE SNUG eliminates continuous adjusting and makes wearing a tie more comfortable. The right tie accessories can ensure you look professional and help you stand out for the right reasons. So be confident knowing your tie knots look great. For more information, please visit http://www.tiesnug.com.