For tall men, finding the perfect tie can seem like a daunting task. With so many different shapes and sizes to choose from, it can be tricky to know which ties for tall men are right for you and what to do if you don't have access to one before a big event.
How long should a tie be?
A tie should generally reach the top of your pants' waistband, or about halfway down your fly at the longest. Of course, ties come in all different lengths, so ultimately it's up to you to decide what looks best. If you're taller than average, you may want to go with a long tie and if you're on the shorter side, a shorter tie may be a better option. Ultimately, it's all about what looks best on you.
How much 'tail' should be left when you tie a tie?
There is no right or wrong answer in terms of how long the back blade of a tie, sometimes referred to as a 'tail', should be. Some men prefer that it be only slightly shorter than the front blade of the tail, but it is a personal preference.
What options do tall men have?
When choosing a tie, tall men should opt for men's tall ties because they are specifically designed to accommodate taller individuals. If you do not have any men's tall ties and need to find an immediate solution, there are a few temporary tricks you can employ, including:
- Tie it longer. While having a short back blade is not ideal, you can adjust the way you tie your tie by making the back blade shorter to accommodate your height.
- Add a loop. The tail keeper loop on the back of the tie is designed to hold the back blade, or tail, in place. When you tie your tie with a shorter back blade, however, the tie is often too low to hold the tail. Adding a second loop can alleviate this problem.
- Try a bowtie. Skip the traditional tie and go for a bowtie for the occasion. Bowties can fit no matter how tall you are.
- Wear a vest. If your tie is too short and you don't have access to longer ties for tall men at the moment, you can don a sweater or vest to effectively hide the length.
- Keep your jacket buttoned. Like a sweater vest, a buttoned jacket can corral a short tie and no one will be the wiser.
In a pinch, there are ways to discretely hide the fact that your tie is not quite long enough.
Men's tall ties need not be tricky to shop for. Just keep a few things in mind and you'll be able to find ties for tall men that can help make you look and feel confident.
