Being able to choose an appropriate tie for a presentation setting is of paramount importance. In this guide, we cover the different colors and patterns that are most appropriate in this given context.
Getting ready for that all important, career altering presentation? Presentation slides with salient points prepared? Check. Requisite swag to make an impression. Check. A bespoke suit with appropriate sheen along with a crisp, starched dress shirt? Absolutely. However, as you rummage through your wardrobe, the search for a perfect necktie suddenly throws your presentation game off track. Certainty and confidence slowly transition towards dread & anxiety, in the search for that ever elusive, perfect necktie.
In this guide, we cover a range of ties that will work in a presentation setting, and are particularly strong advocates of Navy & Burgundy Ties, given that they project trust & authority. Additionally, we will discuss neutral colors such as greys & browns, which also happen to work particularly well in a presentation environment.
Navy Ties
The granddaddy of neckties, the navy tie is considered highly versatile and generally allow you to dress up your ensembles. Navy portrays a sense of confidence, trustworthiness and a certain degree of authority. These characteristics make navy ties are highly versatile, whether they are solid,
abstract, polka dot, paisley or striped. As such, navy ties make for the perfect complement to suiting attire for that all important presentation.
Solid Navy Tie
The Dark Knot’s Winsted Blue Navy Silk Tie is ideal for a presentation setting. Being a solid tie, it can pair perfectly with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered shirt, along with a charcoal grey, navy blue or brown suit. Strut this tie to your next presentation with aplomb, and you are bound to make an impression!
The Dark Knot’s Winsted Blue Silk Tie is ideal for a presentation setting. Here, it pairs perfectly with a solid white shirt and light grey suit!
Foulard Navy Tie
Foulard Ties, that consist of a repeating pattern, are perfect for a presentation setting. The structure and uniformity of a geometric foulard pattern makes it particularly appropriate for a more formal setting. We will delineate our choice of foulard tie between smaller and larger patterned foulard ties.
Before delving into which foulard ties will work in a presentation setting, we think it is critical to outline a key tenet of pattern matching theory – that is, that differences in pattern scale are More important than differences in pattern type. Hence, a larger spaced foulard tie popping off against a microcheckered dress shirt is more striking than a finely striped tie against a microcheckered shirt – where pattern clashing arising from a smaller scaled tie and shirt pattern – even of different types - results in a jarring, non cohesive look.
The Dark Knot’s Canterbury Regimental Navy / Red Silk Tie perfectly illustrates the point above regarding pattern proportion. Here, a wider scaled striped pattern pops off perfectly against a narrower scaled shirt striped pattern, emphasizing the point that pattern proportion and scale matters more than pattern variation!
Therefore, when in doubt, always opt for a combination that involves a larger scaled tie pattern against a smaller scaled shirt pattern. While the inverse can work, it takes more practice and comfort with pattern matching – and ultimately, doesn’t provide as striking of a finish.
Smaller Patterned Navy Foulard Ties
Smaller scaled foulard ties, work perfectly if you are looking to pair your tie with a solid dress shirt. The smaller scaled patterns of these ties pop off perfectly against a solid dress shirt, without creating a jarring, conflicting look if paired with another patterned shirt.
The Dark Knot’s Dorchester Foulard Bluish Grey Silk Tie pairs exquisitely in the below combination, with the tie popping off against this solid colored shirt. Looking to make an impression at a presentation? Subtle, yet suave, this tie will allow you to make an immediate imprint.
The Dark Knot’s Dorchester Foulard Bluish Grey Silk Tie is an instant game changer! A smaller patterned navy foulard silk tie, it creates an elegant monochromatic sequence with an underlying light blue shirt and a stunning larger patterned houndstooth sports jacket!
Larger Patterned Navy Foulard Ties
Looking for a tie that will instantly elevate your aesthetic? A larger patterned navy foulard tie is an ideal choice for a presentation, allowing you to make an impression, all while pairing it perfectly with a solid, finely striped or micro checkered shirt.
As mentioned above, larger patterned ties work particularly well given the differences in scale between the tie and underlying shirt pattern – assuming, of course- that your underlying shirt pattern is of a smaller scale.
The Dark Knots Georgetown Foulard Navy / Blue / Brown works exquisitely in the above combination. With a larger scaled pattern, this stunning tie standing out perfectly against this finely striped shirt.
The Dark Knot’s Georgetown Foulard Navy / Blue / Brown Silk Tie perfectly complements a presentation setting. Here, it combines seamlessly with an underlying, finely striped blue & white shirt and a solid, light grey jacket!
Burgundy Ties
Similar to navy ties, the burgundy tie is considered highly versatile, and is popular with men’s attire as it helps portray confidence & authority. Burgundy, for all its luxurious connotations, can be worn across a range of occasions or functions, whether it's for more casual settings, an evening out, a cocktail reception, date night, or, you guessed it, a presentation!
Solid Burgundy Ties
Solid Burgundy Ties provide a classic, timeless piece that can be used to accentuate your attire when preparing for a presentation. Given the pattern-less nature of a solid tie, this type of burgundy / wine tie will pair exceptionally well with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered shirt. Life is significantly easier when one is not concerned with pattern clashing being detrimental to your overall aesthetic!
The Dark Knot’s Marlow Wine tie makes for an ideal presentation tie, given its classy look. Pair this with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered white, light blue or light pink shirt for your next important presentation, and you are certainly going to have people doing a double take and then some!
Burgundy Foulard Ties
Similar to navy ties, burgundy ties are ideal for a presentation setting. As was our assessment with navy ties, we will delineate burgundy foulard ties between smaller and larger patterns!
Smaller Patterned Burgundy Foulard Ties
Smaller scaled burgundy foulard ties are the perfect accessory for a presentation setting. Helping portray authority & trust, these ties will pair exquisitely with a solid white or light blue shirt.
The Dark Knot’s Stafford Squares Burgundy / Blue Silk Tie pairs perfectly with a solid blue shirt and charcoal grey suit.
Larger Patterned Burgundy Foulard Ties
Larger scaled burgundy foulard ties will make an immediate impression and elevate your style game for that big presentation. They will combine particularly well with a finely striped or microcheckered shirt, given that you will be matching a larger scaled patterned tie against a smaller scaled patterned shirt!
The Dark Knot’s Patterson Foulard Burgundy / Silver Silk Tie is an ideal complement to your presentation attire! The above combination works exquisitely, with the larger spaced burgundy foulard tie set against a finely striped light blue shirt and light grey jacket!
Neutral Colors
Few colors work as well in a professional setting such as grey & brown. Being neutral colors, they accessorize seamlessly with a suit or sports jacket!
Grey Ties
Grey is indicative of confidence & calm, both attributes that you want to characterize in a presentation setting!
The Dark Knot’s Glastonbury Circles Grey Silk Tie, paired with a solid white shirt and grey suit, provides for a dapper combination in a presentation setting!
Brown Ties
Brown Ties can signal strength and reliability, making them an ideal complement to a presentation setting!
The Dark Knot’s Millville Foulard Dark Brown / Gold Foulard Silk Tie pairs exquisitely with this finely striped brown shirt – a stunning look for a presentation setting!
Olive Green Ties
In addition to grey and brown, another color that we think seamlessly brings together an ensemble in a presentation setting is olive green. Olive Green can signal a conciliatory approach, which is of paramount importance when trying to make a pitch during a presentation!
The Dark Knot’s Beverly Foulard Olive Green / Gold Silk Tie creates for a professional, dapper look!
Other Tie Patterns For Presentation Settings
Given that we have largely focused on solid & geometric foulard silk ties for presentation settings, given their formal nature and connotations, there are some other patterns that can do the trick in a presentation setting if paired correctly with an appropriate dress shirt.
Polka Dot Ties
Polka Dot happens to be a favorite pattern of ours at The Dark Knot for a presentation setting. Given the pattern spacing of a polka dot tie, these ties pair perfectly with a solid, finely striped or microcheckered shirt!
The Dark Knot’s Newport Dots Burgundy Silk Tie pairs remarkably well with a finely striped shirt!
Paisley Ties
While we can sense the abject horror on your face, fret not! As long as one avoids the paisley ties of yesteryear that your favorite Uncle used to strut, you should be able to make an imprint – the positive kind – that is! A two tonal paisley tie with the right pattern proportions can work extremely within a presentation setting!
The Dark Knot’s Exeter Paisley Blue / Brown Silk Tie combines seamlessly with a finely striped blue shirt for an incredibly dapper, professional look – the hallmark of presentation appropriate attire!
And that’s a wrap for this one! We hope that you have enjoyed reading this as much as we have writing it.
