How to wear a tie bar
Tie bars are synonymous with formal sophistication and they're enviably practical for keeping your tie attached to your shirt. When it comes dressing for formal and social engagements, not all men remember to wear tie bars. Sometimes they're an afterthought once the rest of the suit has been decided. But if we know one thing's for sure, it's that small details make the bigger picture look better - much better!
If you happen to wear a tie bar to a function that's littered with gentleman who have forgotten to consider their accessories, you will instantly stand out as being better groomed and more considered. If that sounds like an enviable feat, you're going to need to learn the nuances of wearing your tie bar correctly. Even though they're a small detail in the scheme of things, tie bars play a huge factor in determining the overall sophistication of your suit.
The Correct Tie Bar Length
The first thing you have to consider is the correct length of your tie bar. It is universally recommended by fashion elites that a tie bar should cover 3/4 the width of your tie. The exact measurement will depend on whether you're wearing a standard necktie or a skinny tie, of course.
For standard neckties, a tie bar that's roughly 5.5 cm / 2.1 inches long will be ideal. And for skinny ties, you'll want to go for a tie bar that's between 2.5 cm / 0.9 inches and 4 cm / 1.5 inches long. Just as long as your tie bar doesn't extend the full width of your tie, nor does it reach below half its width, you'll be 100% in the clear. An ill-fitting tie bar can be spotted from a mile away and it can be disastrous for the overall impact of your suit.
Now you've got a tie bar of an ideal length, you'll need to know where to place it on your tie. There's "do's and don'ts" for this part too. Over the course of decades, industry experts have gradually come to a precise formula of positioning a tie bar correctly. Their conclusion? A tie bar should be placed between the third and fourth buttons of your dress shirt. Yes, it's absurdly precise but it's fool proof in ensuring your suit is detailed to perfection. This formula will ensure that your tie bar isn't too close to the collar of your shirt and also doesn't risk being covered by your jacket.
On the occasion that counting buttons doesn't suit you, perhaps you might be running late for work, just place your tie bar roughly 1/4 of the way down your tie once it's been tied up. This will give you roughly the same positioning.
How to Put on Tie Bars
Another thing that many gentlemen fail to consider is the functionality of tie bars. Not only do tie bars add a sense of sophistication to your suit, they also work to keep your tie and shirt from coming apart. Although it's known that men opt to wear tie bars for the fashion statement alone, it's still worthwhile getting the most out of your tie bar by making sure it serves a function. You can do this by making sure it's anchored to the seam of your shirt, as well as your tie. This will mean that your tie won't separate from your shirt during wear, this will be particularly handy if you're not wearing a jacket.
