Ties are made in a variety of styles and designs. Knowing what options are available ensures that you will find the type of tie that not only is most practical for your business, but also is best suited for your company’s image and brand.

The most common styles of ties:

• Standard neckties
• Bow-ties
• Extra long ties
• Skinny ties
• Kids and women’s ties
• Clip-on ties
• Zipper neckties

Standard neckties:

Currently the classic standard tie measures between 56″ and 58″ in length, and is about 3.25-3.75″ wide (at the wides part). This hasn’t always been the standard measurement. What has varied over time is the width of the tie. In the 80s ties were much wider (about 4″-4.25″). Recently the standard tie has become a little bit more narrow (not to be mistaken with the “retro” skinny tie).

Bow-ties:

Bow ties are the most formal piece of neckwear. The classic bow tie is solid black in color. Besides the black bow tie, bow ties in silver, white, red and pink are popular choices. Bow ties come in two different variations: Self-tie and the pre-tied clip on bow tie. For uniforms the pretied bow-tie is choosen almost exclusively since they are easy to put on and off. Pre-tied bow ties are also readily available in a wide variety of colors. The most common companies that choose a bow tie as part of a uniform are catering businesses, as well as fine dining restaurants.

Extra Long Ties:

Extra long neckties are designed for taller men and/or men with a wider neck. Extra long ties measure about 60″-62″ inches in length and are typically a better fit for anyone taller than 6′3″. Most companies that order uniform ties order about 5% of their total order as an XL necktie.

Skinny ties:

As the name suggests, skinny ties are more narrow (about 2-2.5″ in width) but have the same length. The skinny tie resembles a “retro” look from the late 50s and early 60s. Skinny neckties are most popular amoung younger men. As a uniform necktie, skinny ties are popular choices for businesses that want to project a “trendy” and swanky image. Typical industries that choose the skinny tie for their uniform are restaurants (often times tapas places and trendy bistros) as well as bars and catering businesses.

Ties for women and kids:

Since the average women has a smaller neck size and a shorter torso a shorter and slightly more narrow necktie is made.

Clip-on Ties:

The Clip on necktie is a pretied necktie that does not get worn around the neck. Instead it is clipped on the shirts collar with a metal clip that has been sown into the tie knot. Quality clip-on ties are almost indistinguishable from a regular tied necktie. The clip is not visible, and the tie knot is perfectly tied. Clip-on ties are almost exclusivelt choosen by security and protection businesses. The tie is not tied around the neck which eliminates accidents of choking.

Zipper ties:

Besides the clip-on tie, the zipper tie is another pre-tied necktie version. But instead of being clipped onto the collar the tie is worn around the neck. The knot is pretied, and all there is to do is tighten the tie. Zipper ties are common for restaurants and bars. The down-side of zipper ties is that they typically don’t last too long. The continuous opening and closing causes the knot to fall out of shape. Wearing a standard necktie instead, and learing how to tie a tie, is a much better and more elegant option.

Uniform ties: Everything you need to know for choosing the perfect tie for your business and company uniform.