Tie Clip Placement: Guide to Wearing a Tie Clip Perfectly
Tie clip placement. Source: feinfein.com
Key Takeaways
- The perfect tie clip placement helps you maintain the desired position of your tie and create a professional look. Explore Tie Doctor’s guide on placing and wearing your tie clip correctly!
- Choosing the right tie clip involves selecting a suitable size, deciding on the design and colour, and considering the occasion. Discover expert tips on finding the best tie clip placement to match your preferences and accentuate your neckties.
- The differences between tie clips, tie bars, and tie pins are in how they work and how they look. Learn more about the finer details of choosing tie accessories to enhance your style!
Tie Clip Placement
Although they are just accessories, the placement of your tie clip, tie bar, or tie pin can significantly impact your overall look. Let’s refer to where to put tie clips!
The perfect tie clip placement or tie pin placement goes between the third and fourth buttons of your dress shirt, which places it right on top of your sternum. If you are wearing a suit jacket, you must place a tie clip between the tie knot and the first button of your coat.
Another thing is to ensure that your clip looks perfectly horizontal, making your tie look straight for that great, polished look.
Where to wear a tie clip? Place it between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt. Source: nextluxury.com
How to Choose the Right Tie Clip
Now that you know “where should a tie clip go? " Let’s learn helpful tips on choosing one, whether it's a subtle accent to your office outfit or a statement piece for a special occasion.
Step 1: Choose the Right Length
As for the length of your tie clip or tie bar, choose one that is no longer than the width of your tie, typically about 3/4 of the tie's width. If you use a clip that is too long, it will overwhelm the beauty of your tie, and if you use a clip that is too short, it will not be strong enough to fasten the tie to your shirt.
Use this quick guide to help you decide which suitable tie clip placement:
| Tie Width | Tie Clip or Tie Bar Length |
| Standard (approx 8cm) | 4.5 cm - 5.5 cm |
| Narrow (6 cm - 7.5 cm) | 4 cm |
| Skinny (less than 5 cm) | 2.5 cm - 3 cm |
Make sure the length of the tie clip is about 3/4 the width of the tie. Source: beckettsimonon.com
Step 2: Consider the Styles
You have two options: pinch clasps and slide clasps.
Pinch clasp and slide clasp. Source: whizz.co.ke
Pinch clasps have a serrated hinge, excelling at keeping your tie securely in place. However, using a pinch clasp with a tie made from a thin, lightweight material like a knit can lead to puckering, as the clip may be bulkier than the tie itself.
This limitation prevents the clip from lying flat on your shirt. Thus, pinch clasps are more suitable for thicker, heavier ties such as wool ties.
Additionally, because pinch clasps use teeth, they can damage delicate silk ties, making them prone to piercing.
Slide clasps, or tie bars, work best with thinner, lighter ties, such as silk. However, slide clips don’t perform as well with thicker, heavier ties.
Step 3: Determine the Design
Tie clip designs come in endless varieties. Some are simple, flat, and made from solid metal, while others resemble curved keys or have eye-catching shapes like moustaches, anchors, or guitars. The design you choose depends entirely on your personal style and the impression you want to make.
Step 4: Pick the Colour
If you're just establishing your tie clip collection, we recommend starting with silver and gold. Silver is sophisticated and works with almost any tie, while gold adds elegance to formal occasions.
Now that you have the basics, you can add some panache to your collection. Remember, a brightly coloured tie clip will not work with all ties in your closet or at all event types like silver and gold do.
Tie clips come in a wide variety of designs and colours. Source: amazon.com
Step 5: Think About the Occasion
If you attend formal events, opt for sleek, classic metal designs in gold or silver. Experiment with fun colours or designs matching the theme for special occasions like weddings. In everyday office or business settings, stick to simple, understated tie clips that complement your professional attire.
However, avoid wearing tie clips to funerals or job interviews, as they appear too flashy for these occasions.
How to Wear a Tie Clip
To wear a tie clip correctly, here are six steps you should follow:
- Choose a tie clip that matches the width of your tie based on our recommendations.
- Insert the tie clip between the 3rd and 4th buttons of your shirt.
- Adjust the tie clip to be straight and parallel to the ground.
- Slide the tie through the clip and secure it to your shirt.
- Adjust, but avoid clamping the tie too tightly, which can cause wrinkles or knots in the fabric.
- Ensure that your tie lies flat and smooth after positioning.
Remember, these details when wearing a tie clip can significantly enhance your overall appearance and demeanor. Constantly adjusting the tie clip placement can make you appear less confident and professional.
Difference between Tie Bars, Tie Clips, Tie Pins
The differences between tie bars, tie clips, and tie pins are as follows:
- Tie bars: These are flat and sleek in appearance. They are slid horizontally over both the tie and shirt to create a clean and neat look. Tie bars have been popular at formal or business events due to their simplicity and elegance.
Tie bar. Source: us.mossbros.com
- Tie clips: Tie clips are distinguished by their spring-loaded mechanism, which makes fastening the tie to your shirt easier than tie bars. Besides, tie clips can have a casual to fancy design, which provides more room for choosing the most flexible style.
Tie clip. Source: clipart-library.com
- Tie pins: Tie pins, also known as stick pins or tie tacks, are short pins that push right through the fabric of the tie and are locked in place on the underside with the help of a clasp. They offer classic, sophisticated looks but leave tiny holes in the tie, making them better suited for thicker ties.
Tie pin. Source: antiquejewellerycompany.com
Now that you know the differences between a tie pin, clip, or bar, try all three to see which you like best and know about the tie clip placement to adjust your tie. Also, take the time to peruse our collection of over 2,500 high-quality, handmade ties to excite your wardrobe further. You can uncover a new element to your style with different combinations of ties and accessories.