The days when bow ties were mandatory for weddings have long past. Grooms are ditching the staple of Harvard professors for regular ties, in varying degrees of width. But how skinny is too skinny? It depends on both your body shape and the rest of your look.
The Standard:
Striped silk tie, Express, $39.90
A traditional tie is around 3 to 4 inches in width at its widest point. These ties are meant to work for everyone, but they look best on guys with a little meat or muscle on them. Essentially, the thicker your neck, the better these look on you.
The Skinny:
Chino suiting tie, J. Crew, $59.50
A skinny tie has become the mark of a man who knows fashion—they look great with a slim-cut or skinny leg suit. These can also work for any body type, but look best on men of athletic to slim build. Those who are exceptionally tall may also want to avoid them as they can give a long body the appearance of gawkiness.
Ultra-Skinny
Plum tie, Skinnyties.com, $14
This sliver of a tie, often around 1 to 2 inches in width, is not for the faint of heart. It’s guaranteed to grab some attention, so make sure the rest of your look is toned down.
Photos: from top to bottom: Express.com, Jcrew.com, Skinnyties.com
