Knowing how to dress well on date night is absolutely imperative, and something dapper gentlemen should not take lightly. With that said, in this detailed guide to Date Night Ties, we will cover 7 different types of ties to wear on date night, and how to optimize your look for that special evening!
So the time has come. Whether its your 50th date, or your first – and you’ve summoned up the courage to ask her out after swiping right, exchanging flirtatious banter at that cocktail party, or flat out walked up the traditional way and put on your version of Braveheart, you’ve now got to indulge your fashion sensibilities and figure out how to dress for a special evening. I mean – cargo shorts with your buddies while slamming down a few beers sounds great – but not so appropos for date night, you think to yourself. As you rummage through your wardrobe, you manage to successfully pick out a pair of well fitted pants, a dress shirt and heck, maybe even a blazer or sports jacket.
You momentary commend yourself with a metaphorical pat on the back, until you realize that your outfit, sans tie, looks dull. Like befitting of a guy unable to hold down an engaging conversion. Scratch that, you think to yourself, and you start furiously perusing through your tie selection – not knowing which tie to add to date night!
Fret not – in this detailed guide we cover 7 different types of tie you can wear during date night, ensuring that you leave your house with considerable panache, pizzaz and pomp!
Floral Ties
Floral Ties, are largely, by definition, ideal for date night. Given their more whimsical nature as compared to more traditional silk ties, these neck pieces will truly allow you to make a fun and playful impression on date night. While these ties can add a touch of personality and flair to your ensembles, they should, as with any other item men’s style, be coordinated with the rest of your outfit to pull of that highly coveted look!
Here are some suggestions on how to pair your floral ties exquisitely:
Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
1. Choose the right floral pattern. Opting for patterns that aren’t overtly busy is of paramount importance, or else you’ll end up with a jarring look. A more muted, two tone and modestly sized floral pattern can help you look just right. If you are going for a more ‘conservative’ approach, we would highlight smaller, tightly knit floral patterns, whereas if you are comfortable with a look that is slightly louder, we’d advocate for a larger (but not overtly large) floral pattern!
2. Versatility Across Seasons. While Floral Ties are typically offered in a cotton varieties, which are typically associated with spring & summer months, they can be worn with aplomb during the fall & winter seasons – with the right colors! Burgundy, Olive Green, Navy & darker colored floral ties will work best during the fall season, while lighter colored, pastel oriented floral ties such as light blue or lavender will work best during the spring & summer seasons!
The Dark Knot’s Melrose Floral Cotton Tie. Ideal for date nights during the Fall & Winter Seasons!
3. Coordinating your floral tie with your ensemble. Given that floral ties are relatively busy by nature, keep the rest of your attire clean and minimal so as to avoid pattern clashing and a jarring look. Pair your tie with a blazer during cooler months, or an unstructured, unlined jacket during warmer months, for a relaxed debonair feel & aesthetic!
An unstructured jacket with a floral cotton tie makes for an effortless chic look! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
4. Pay heed to occasion. Floral ties are inherently fun by nature, and so are best suited for a less formal date. If your date is at a more formal setting, we would eschew the floral tie in favor of a more traditionally patterned silk tie.
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s stunning range of Floral Cotton Ties here.
Paisley Ties
Paisley Ties, intrinsically more interesting than traditional silk tie patterns, make for an ideal accessory on date night to exude that personality and flair!
The Dark Knot’s Bar Harbor Paisley Red Silk Tie makes for an incredible date night tie!
1. Choosing the right colors. Given that paisley ties are louder by nature, opting for the right color is of paramount importance. For a more pronounced look, a paisley tie in deep red, burgundy or olive green will really allow you to stand out.
Conversely, opt for a two tone, more subtle paisley tie in navy or an earth tone for a more muted, yet incredibly polished look!
The Dark Knot’s Menaggio Foulard Yellow / Brown Silk Tie provides for a stunning yet polished look.
2. Coordinating with your ensemble. Paisley Ties, given their larger pattern spacing, can generally be worn with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered shirt. This pattern contrast can really allow you to elevate your look and stand out on date night.
For a more minimalistic, less stuffy look, however, we’d suggest pairing your paisley tie with a solid shirt and a blazer for that special night!
Larger paisley patterns, given their pattern proportions, can pair extremely well with a solid, finely striped or micro checkered shirt – resulting in a highly versatile accessory. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Exeter Paisley Blue / Brown Silk Tie.
3. Accessorizing & elevate your style game further. Looking to add extra panache to your date night attire? Try a tie bar, pocket square or both for added effect. Be careful though – over accessorizing can paradoxically be of detriment to your look. Remember, no one likes someone that tries too hard!
A couple of extra details really help to spruce up this ensemble! Featuring The Dark Knot’s Amesbury Paisley Brownish Gold Silk Tie & Norfolk Copper Tie Bar.
4. Evaluate Context. Just as with any other suggestion pertaining to dressing up, context is critical. Dressing for a more sophisticated / formal venue? Strut that paisley tie with a blazer for maximum effect. Going for a more informal / casual setting? How about a paisley tie and tie clip against your dress shirt, sans jacket or blazer!
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s stunning range of Paisley Ties here.
Knit Ties
Knit Ties, characterized by their open weave, square bottom and unique patterns, are absolutely ideal for date nights! Here are some suggestions for strutting that knit tie on date night!
Knit Ties provide the perfect element for that ever so elusive smart casual look! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
1. Smart Casual Vibes. Set that exquisite knit tie against a crisp buttoned up dress shirt for that ideal date night aesthetic Pair your combination with a pair of well fitted chinos or dark denim, and you are bound to make an impression! This exquisite look helps strike a perfect balance between smart and casual.
Looking for attire with a bit more heft during the fall & winter seasons, or perhaps you just want to layer for extra dapper points? Show off that knit tie with a blazer or cardigan for that ultimate fall / winter season getup!
2. Choosing colors wisely. Opt for classic, rich colors such as navy, burgundy or olive green for that optimal effect! A tie with textural variation and a rich color scheme will help infuse your look with some extra punch!
A burgundy knit tie can certainly pack a punch for date night! Featuring The Dark Knot’s Barrington Stripes Burgundy Silk Knit Tie.
3. The Tie Knot Matters. While we generally advocate for a four in hand knot with the other fabrics, this is especially important with a knitted tie, given the fabric texture and inherently casual nature of the tie!
The Four In Hand, the perfect knot for an inherently casual knit tie. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Bellmont Stripes Skinny Silk Knit Tie.
4. Keep It Casual. Given that Knit Ties are inherently more casual than silk ties, you could opt for a little sprezzatura, and have the skinny end longer than the main blade of the tie – or just have it hanging loosely without securing it through the keeper at the back of the tie!
A stunning Knit Tie with some sprezzatura sprinkled in! Courtesy of www.mrkoachman.com
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of exquisite Silk Knit Ties here.
Wool Ties
Woolen Ties, given their unique textural appearance, are an absolute game changer for date night, helping provide an element of depth and intrigue to your attire that will definitely have her asking questions and leave other’s heads turning!
Elevate your style game with a woolen tie on date night, especially during the Fall / Winter Season! Courtesy of www.violamilano.com
1. Choosing The Right Attire. Pair your woolen tie with a crisp, button down shirt and a pair of dark denim for a smart, polished look. Top it off with a lighter weight knit sweater or cardigan for that ultimate fall season look!
If you are looking to intensify the formality of your look, taking it a notch further, we suggest going for a sports jacket or blazer will allow you to enhance your aesthetic without being overtly formal.
2. Pay Attention To Patterns. Or Not! Given the inherently unique nature of a woolen tie, we suggest pairing it with a solid shirt to keep the focus on the centerpiece of your attire – the tie!
Woolen Ties popping off perfectly against a solid shirt! Courtesy of www.westwoodhart.com
3. Appropriate Footwear. Given that woolen ties are best worn during the fall & winter seasons, these ties are most appropriately paired with a loafers or a pair of brogues!
4. Accessorizing Your Attire. Add a splash of panache to your ensemble with a silk pocket square, providing the perfect balance to a more heavily textured woolen tie. If you really insist on accessorizing further, a tie bar will make your outfit sublime – but any more than two accessories, and its probably a tad too much indulgence.
An incredibly dapper look, featuring The Dark Knot’s Woolen Tie, accessorized by a sophisticated, burgundy silk pocket square! Courtesy of americandapper.wordpress.com
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of stunning Wool Ties here.
Novelty Ties
Novelty Ties, as the name suggests, are unique neckpieces. With these ties often characterized by themes, what better way to showcase both your interests and flair? Themes for novelty ties often include recreational activities such as golf / lacrosse / tennis, scenery motif themes such as palm trees or lifestyle activities such as beaches / safaris etc.
Novelty Ties are a great way to showcase your personality & flair! Featuring The Dark Knot's Panama City Cars Polyester Tie, Navy / White / Purple
1. Keep it Smart Casual. Given the inherently casual nature of these ties, they are best complemented by a button up dress shirt and a pair of dark denim or well fitted chinos! Novelty Ties are the perfect way to spruce up a more casual ensemble, allowing you to dress smart dapper for that perfect date night!
2. Layer It Up To Keep It Even More Visually Engaging. Keep your ensemble looking sharp, polished, yet with an effortless, relaxed chic vibe by donning a sports jacket! A muted sports jacket can also help to counter the colorful, louder nature of novelty ties, helping to provide the perfect balance.
3. Color Coordination. Novelty Ties are colorful by nature – so ensuring that one of the colors in your tie is in your shirt is a great way to keep the ensemble coordinated.
4. Strut Your Tie With Confidence. Novelty ties can facilitate interesting conversations, with their unique nature and characteristics. Bring a relaxed, easy going attitude – as you should with any date! – with your novelty tie, and you are bound to make an impression.
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s stunning range of polyester novelty ties here.
Skinny Silk Ties
While the above sections have skinny tie references in them, particularly in relation to floral cotton ties, there is something to be said about strutting a skinny silk tie, that differs quite drastically from a traditional, regular width silk tie for a date night!
A skinny silk tie, with the right accessories, is an absolute standout during the Fall / Winter Seasons. Featuring The Dark Knot’s Trumbull Abstract Navy / Silver Skinny Silk Tie.
1.Choosing The Right Tie Width. While skinny silk ties can be ultra skinny, we suggest going for a more moderate tie width, so it doesn’t look like you’re trying too hard to establish yourself as counter culture…..not that ties were mainstream anyway! We strongly advocate opting for skinny silk ties in the 2.0 to 2.5 inch range.
2. Embracing Solids…..Or Patterns. While a solid navy, grey or black tie can look incredible on a skinny tie – throw out conventional wisdom when dressing dapper for date night with a skinny tie. While we would eschew stripes and repeating foulard patterns on a standard width silk tie for date night, a striped or foulard tie on a skinny silk tie works perfectly – given its inherently casual nature!
Featuring The Dark Knot’s Windsor Grey Skinny Silk Tie.
3. Maintain The Rest Of Your Outfit. If strutting a skinny silk tie, maintaining proportions for the rest of your ensemble is absolutely critical. Hence, try to keep the rest of your ensemble streamlined to match proportions with your skinny tie. Avoiding baggy clothing will help ensure that the rest of your attire doesn’t clash with your tie.
A Skinny Tie with well proportioned attire makes for a great date night look. Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
4. Accessorizing Your Outfit. Looking to spruce up your ensemble further? Accessorize your skinny tie with a tie clip or pocket square for additional pizzaz!
Turn up that skinny tie game with a tie bar! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of exquisite skinny ties here.
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Tie Bars here.
Traditional Silk Ties
The granddaddy of them all – while we wouldn’t necessarily advocate for silk ties in a date setting, the right solid, paisley, foulard, polka dot or even floral silk tie could really help you stand out on date night!
An absolutely sublime look, featuring The Dark Knot’s Meredith Foulard Turquoise / Teal Silk Tie!
1.Timeless look. Pair that stunning solid silk tie with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered shirt along with tailored trousers or a well fitted pair of chinos. Keeping that shirt tucked in, is of course, imperative.
2. Add a patterned tie for visual interest. Looking to make more of an emphatic statement, without seeming overtly formal? Opt for a larger proportioned paisley, floral, polka dot or geometric foulard tie that can pair with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered shirt for maximum effect!
Featuring The Dark Knot’s Brentwood Abstract Navy / Pink Silk Tie!
3. Knot Style Signals Formality. Paying attention to the kind of aesthetic you are going for will allow you to nail the details! Looking for something more formal? Try going for a half windsor knot – the perfect halfway point between casual and full blown formality. Conversely, a four in hand knot will allow you to exude relaxed dapper vibes, with its casual chic sensibilities.
An absolutely exquisite look for a fall / winter season date night, featuring The Dark Knot’s Kingsbury Olive Green / Gold Silk Tie!
4. Pairing Your Tie. Strut your tie with a blazer or sports jacket for a more cohesive, polished look! Alternatively, a traditional silk tie tucked under a sweater or cardigan helps provide a suave, dapper look without being overtly formal!
Featuring The Dark Knot's Fall River Pink / Grey Silk Tie!
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Silk Ties, appropriate for date night, here.
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot's entire range of Date Night Ties here.
And that's a wrap for this one! We hope that you have enjoyed reading this as much as we did writing it!
