What Tie to Wear? One to Satisfy a Woman....

Articles

Brooks A. Mick

What Tie to Wear? One to Satisfy a Woman....
Aug 21, 2003

Admit it, guys. You have a heck of a time picking out a tie that goes with your shirt and trousers--at least you have trouble picking one that your wife or girlfriend AGREES goes with your shirt and trousers. You may think it is fine, but....

So how do you do it? If you have the innate color sense of Alexander Julian, no problem. Go with your instincts. But if you are like the ordinary guy and can see only 3 shades of navy blue while your girlfriend can distinguish at least 63 distinct navy blue variations (And they can, you know! They can take 30 minutes matching the exact shade of navy blue shoes to the exact shade of navy blue on their scarf.) you will need to use my system.

So, let's start. First, take the tie you want to wear off the rack. I know, this seems backwards, but just be patient. Look carefully at the tie and decide which is its dominant color. That is the one which occupies the most space, the biggest area. Let's assume it is navy blue. Real, nice, medium navy blue. (The other shades of navy blue that men can see by the way are "slightly lighter navy blue" and "black." Indeed, very dark navy blue looks black to men, while women insist it is still navy blue.)

Then you pick out a pair of pants that is as close to that shade as you can get. Put those pants on. And zip them up. Don't forget that.

Then you look at the non-dominant colors on the tie, those that occupy less space than the dominant color. Now pick one of those colors-- it doesn't matter which one! Now you look for a shirt that is the closest match to that color. If you don't have a shirt that is close, then pick another one of the non-dominant colors until you can match a shirt to it. Then put that shirt on.

Now put the tie on. And tie it. The four-in- hand knot is currently fashionable, but I prefer the Pratt Knot, sometimes called the Shelby Knot. This is a neat, triangular knot, more symmetrical than the four-in-hand, very slightly larger, but not as bulky as the Windsor.

http://www.neckties.com/knots.htm#pratt

That's it! Now your fashion-conscious girlfriend or wife, the one who can distinguish 63 shades of navy blue, will think you have become a fashion whiz.

And if you think I am kidding about the 63 shades of navy blue that women can see, just ask one.

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About the author: 62-yr-old physician, still practicing, retired from 41 years intermittent military service as of June 1, 2003. Just write for the fun of it. Currently writing a novel. Email Brooks A. Mick: brooks15@cox.net

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