How to Properly Wear a Tie Clip

The tie clip, also called the tie bar, is a fashion accessory designed to hold the tie to the front of a man's dress shirt. This article explains the traditional and eccentric way to wear a tie clip or tie bar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tie clip

1. Put on the dress shirt and the tie you are planning to wear. The tie should be straightened and pulled up to the top of the collar on the shirt. As the tie clip is the last accessory a gentleman should put on, the shirt and tie must already be "finished" because one the tie clip is inserted, you do not want to adjust the tie because the clip will make it very difficult to do so. As a note, a tie clip is meant to be worn as a formal accessory and can be worn with regular and skinny neckties, but are not meant for bolo ties.

2. 
   Tie clip

   Through a ridged back and a small hinge, the tie clip should be pinched open and slid over the tie so that the bar-front of the tie clip is over the front of the necktie. The rigged portion slips behind the placket of the dress shirt, and rests under the dress shirt itself. Releasing the pinch will secure the tie clip on the shirt and tie.

3. 

   Understand that the tie clip is traditionally placed between the fourth and fifth button of the shirt placket, midway between the pectoral and ab muscles. A younger, more rakish style is to tilt the tie clip at a 45-degree downward facing angle between the third and fourth button on the shirt.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not wear a tie clip that is wider then the necktie. Do not adjust the tie length without unclipping the tie clip as you run the risk of marring or stretching the tie and/or shirt fabric.

Resources

• Paul Stuart for ties