Do you need to wear a tie to progress in your career?
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Whilst the “rules” of office dress are fairly well established, one
question that comes up regularly is the role of the tie in today’s work
place. Should you or shouldn’t you? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t
clear-cut.
It would be fair to say we are in a transition period with the tie. On one side you have younger execs paving the way for the answer to be “no” whilst on the other you have established typically older and therefore often more traditional executives to whom the tie is still an intrinsic part of their business attire and professional look.
My advice would be, if you are looking to impress and are wearing a jacket with your shirt, a tie completes the look of your “communication triangle” (the first twelve inches of your head/body). It sets the scene that you mean business and makes you look more professional, which for some people especially those with a more traditional approach to business dress – will escalate your credibility. At the very least you will look ‘tidier’.
Tips to Impress with your Tie
Take Away
And at the end of the day, remember – it’s always better to overdress than to under impress.
It would be fair to say we are in a transition period with the tie. On one side you have younger execs paving the way for the answer to be “no” whilst on the other you have established typically older and therefore often more traditional executives to whom the tie is still an intrinsic part of their business attire and professional look.
My advice would be, if you are looking to impress and are wearing a jacket with your shirt, a tie completes the look of your “communication triangle” (the first twelve inches of your head/body). It sets the scene that you mean business and makes you look more professional, which for some people especially those with a more traditional approach to business dress – will escalate your credibility. At the very least you will look ‘tidier’.
Tips to Impress with your Tie
- In a business context, your tie should be darker than your shirt.
- Make sure the tip of your tie sits on your beltline any higher and
you risk creating a distraction.
- Learn to tie a full or half Windsor, it gives immediate gravitas to
your neck area. This site has some excellent guides to the different knots.
- If you opt for a patterned tie with a patterned shirt, avoid the scale
of the patterns being the same size. E.g. With a striped shirt and a
striped tie, go for bigger stripes on the tie!
- Be sure to get your tie dry cleaned at least twice a year – more if you wear it daily.
Take Away
And at the end of the day, remember – it’s always better to overdress than to under impress.