Proper & Correct Tie Length Explained - How To Tutorial For Stylish Men

>> Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette.

In today's video we discuss the proper
tie length as well as the balance

of the front blade and the back blade.

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Whenever we post outfit pictures
on our social channels,

one of the most discussed things
is the proper length of the tie.

It's interesting to see all the
different rules that come up,

the do's and dont's, and
all the different opinions.

And, therefore, our video is here to provide
some clarity for you so you can find the tie

in the right length that flatters you.

The first thing to understand
is the history of the tie.

It was purely decorative and served
no functional purpose whatsoever.

So the only goal of it was
to make you look good.

Keeping that in mind, it's hard to argue
that one thing is more correct than another.

For example, if you look at the 1920s and
30s, most men would wear a vest or waistcoat.

And even if they wouldn't,
their ties were rather short.

They would either reach the belly
button or sometimes not even that.

Of course, they would also wear high-waisted
trousers so they might have impacted the length.

Today ties have definitely got longer, but the
overall length of the tie is hugely impacted

by the balance between your front
wide blade and the back slim blade.

Basically, you have three options.

You can have the front blade
be as long as the back blade.

You can have the front blade be
much longer than the back blade.

Or it can be much shorter.

Because a tie has a fixed length, this balance
really impacts how long your tie will be

when it's tied.

But that's not all.

Other factors that affect the
length are what knot you choose.

What kind of tie you have.

Does it have a thick interlining?

It's very thick, if so, it creates a thick knot.

For a thinner tie, it creates a thinner
knot, and therefore, the tie's longer.

Of course, these three variations can
be worn either as short, very long,

or just in the middle above the waistband.

So as you can see, your variations are endless.

And just saying, "Oh, tie your tie so the
tip reaches your waistband or the buckle

of your belt" is much easier said than done.

Before we get more into length,
let's look at the details

on the different options
and how they make you look.

When your tie is overall very short,
it provides you a vintage look.

Or in the worst case, it can
make you look like a child.

So keep that in mind if you
like very short ties.

Of course, if you're a shorter
guy, you need a shorter tie.

And to learn more about short man's
clothing and ties, check out this video here.

So when the wide front blade is
much longer than the back blade,

chances are that it extends past your waistband
and it peaks out underneath of your jacket.

That's visually distracting because
people look down, and the triangular shape

of the tie highlights your crotch,
which is very disadvantageous.

Because of that, we suggest
not to wear a tie like that.

But, of course, each to his own.

If you decide to go that way, a problem
that you might face is that your shorter,

slimmer blade is not long
enough to get into the keeper.

And if it peaks out to the side, it
just looks like your tie is too short

and you just got it from your younger brother.

Personally, I don't use a keeper,
but I also prefer to tie my tie

so both blades have about the same length.

That way it looks a little more
casual, a little more nonchalant,

and it's a look that I personally enjoy.

So should you use a keeper on not?

Well, traditionally it was
something that was used by people.

But if you look at elegant men today, they
often times want that more sprezzatura feel

with their tie, and they intentionally
do not use that keeper loop in the back.

In any case, you should never
use scotch tape or any other kind

of glue because it just looks cheap.

Sometimes you can also see ties where
the back blade is considerably longer.

And just like if the front is longer,
it dangles past your waistband.

Because it's a little slimmer,
it's a little less distracting.

But, in my opinion, it still highlights
the wrong part of your outfit.

Originally, this was a style favored by Gianni
Agnelli, and he definitely popularized it.

Today you can see a lot of young men wearing
it, but also some more seasoned chaps

like Francesco Barberis Canonico.

Again, the way you wear your tie is an
expression of your individual style,

and there is no absolute right or wrong.

What matters is that you do it consciously
and that you can repeat it every single time.

Another important element of the tie
besides the length is the tie dimple.

You can see me wearing here one right now.

If you want to learn how to get it in your
tie, please check out this video here.

It works every single time, guaranteed.

So what's the proper and
correct tie length for you?

Personally, I think it's
best when the front blade

and back blade tips are roughly the same length
and they just reach the waistband of your pants.

Now, think about that for a second.

Every pair of pants is different.

It has a slightly different
rise, and in combination

with every tie being different,
there are lots of variations.

Some others argue the tips should be
slightly longer and reach the buckle.

Others like it a lot shorter.

Some like it longer and past the waistband.

I like the waistband idea because
that way the tie doesn't peak

out from underneath your jacket, and it
focus the viewer's attention to your face

because of the V-shape of your
jacket and the tie on top.

If you always wear one kind of knot and
all our ties are about the same length,

it's relatively easy and predictable how you
have to tie your tie and how you have to start

to get the right length you want.

However, personally, I find that
with the different knots I tie

and the different ties I have, I usually
have a range of different lengths.

For me that's shorter lengths for
high-rise trousers and smaller knots.

And about regular length for slightly bigger
tie knots and pants that don't come up as high.

Overall, I'm not a big fan of Windsor
knots that's why I avoid long ties.

But if you like the half-Windsor or the
full-Windsor, you will need a long tie even

if you're just regular height if you want
to have both blades be the same length.

If you want to learn how
to tie different tie knots,

please check out our video series
here to understand what's going on.

Unfortunately, most ties don't come in a general
length, and so you actually have to try things

out until you find out what
works for and you what doesn't.

It takes a lot of trial and
error, and you have to practice.

But once you know what length your tie is and
how long it has to be with a particular not,

it's going to be much easier for
you to get the tie length right.

So what does it mean for the proper tie length?

No one will win this argument because
there is no absolute right or wrong.

What matters is what you personally like.

I think that most men look best with
a back blade and a front blade being

about the same length, ending
just above the waistband.

And if you want to have different
ties in short and regular and long

so you can get exactly the right length for
the right pants you have, please take a look

at our Fort Belvedere selection here.

If you want to learn more about 12
essential ties that every man should have

or anything else [inaudible] classic man's
style, please sign up to our channel here.

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