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Step 1
Choose ties that contrast, not coordinate, with your dress shirts. When we say "contrast," we don't mean "clash." Instead of wearing a navy or black tie with a gray shirt, try red, orange or vivid blue to add contrast and visual interest to your look.
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Step 2
Use patterns to make a fashion statement. If you're nervous about wearing a red tie with a blue shirt, pick a red tie with a blue pattern on it. Even if your shirt is striped and your tie is dotted, the blues in each will ensure that your look still matches.
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Step 3
Try textured ties. Sometimes textures like knit or brocade patterns elevate an ordinary tie from boring accessory to bold fashion statement.
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Step 4
Make sure your patterns are on the same scale. For instance, if your dress shirt has a small plaid pattern, the pattern on your tie should be on a similar scale. Different sized patterns clash easily.
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Step 5
Stay away from holiday themes, kitschy patterns and cartoon characters. Your ties should be fashion statements, not greeting cards. Moreover, they're often inappropriate for work environments.
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Step 6
Take a chance on unusual colors. There is no rule that says ties must be blue or red. Teal, pink and purple are more interesting than basic-hued ties and are still quite tasteful.
