In this guide I would like to focus on how to make sure you select the right tie so that you get the maximum benefit from your tie purchase. In this guide I'm defining a fine tie as one that originally cost more than $200, was probably silk or fine linen. My ties favor Vitaliano Pancaldi, Brioni, and Versace but this guide applies to any fine tie you might consider purchasing.
First consider what you will wear the tie with.
1. if you don't plan to wear the tie with a suit or dinner jacket - including a tuxedo - then don't purchase a fine tie. It's a waste of money to wear a fine tie with a sports coat or without a coat at all.
2. so assuming we have gotten past #1, you need determine which category your suits fall into - (a) dark suite - black, dark blue, or very dark pinstripe (b) light suite browns, blue, tan, white, or light plaid or pinstripe.
3. fine ties come in a variety of styles but I like to divide simply into (a) colorful with lots of reds, yellows, blues and striking colors and designs like the Pancaldi or (b) reserved with a repeating pattern of dots or stripes or a plain single color and pattern.
4. Given these classifications I recommend you wear an (a) tie with an (a) suit - that is, wear the very colorful ties with the dark suites - even a black tuxedo looks excellent with a very colorful tie. And then it proceeds that you would wear an (b) ties with a (b) suit.
5. Colorful Pancaldi ties just do not look good with a light colored or plaid suit so you stick with the unstated more conservative tie because your suit has more color and you don't want to match or compete with your suit.
Personally I'm not sure why anyone purchases category (b) suits - perhaps it is originality, wanting to express yourself, be different, or perhaps a budgetary consideration - but given a choice I would always recommend the category (a) suit for the wearing of a fine tie.
Enjoy the ties I have listed. So far all of the listings are category (a) ties for category (a) suits.
