“A great tie is more than a piece of fabric — it’s a window into the soul and a conversation starter,” says Jake Bell, the writer behind the daily Substack Who Do You Know?. I have to agree: So much more than the de facto Father’s Day gift, a tie can make an entire outfit. We all have memories of our first — junior prom, Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, or a scratchy rental for a cousin’s wedding. But just as easily as an understated silk number can pull together a look, a bad tie (hello, piano keys) can ruin an otherwise decent fit. So to help you find some nice-look options, I tapped well-dressed men to hear their takes on what makes not a great tie but the best tie. Turns out, some of the best ties on the market are vintage, skinny ties are dead, and silk is the way to go. I’ll let them explain.
Under $75
Cody Min, founder of the creative studio Astronaut Monastery, has a large tie collection — and a few general rules for what makes a good tie today. “Width is quite important to me,” he says. “You want to avoid those super-skinny pencil-width ties and go with a bit of heft and weight. Don’t overdo it and verge into clown territory.” His favorite tie in his collection? A J. Press number, which was a gift from his wife and that he says he loves for its classic prep stripe on dark navy wool. Plus, the price point feels accessible for those just beginning a collection of their own.
You really can’t go wrong with a simple tie from J.Crew. I’d suggest you stick to stripes or solids from the retailer, and save your fancy patterned picks for more off-the-beaten-path brands or vintage markets (thus lowering the chance of showing up to an event wearing the same tie as the guy seated next to you). J.Crew’s English silk tie is remarkably easy to wear, a great length for most people, and elegant while still feeling casual enough for a weekday dinner.
Bell as well as Xavier Donnelly, creative director at Ash Hotels, and Jason Stewart, a DJ and co-host of How Long Gone, all recommend shopping for a vintage Hermès tie, which you can come by at a fairly reasonable price. The RealReal keeps a steady rotation in stock, but it’s also worth trying your luck on less curated sites like eBay and Poshmark or your local resale store. Search by color (Donnelly told me he wears his light-blue vintage Hermès tie most often), and keep a reference of ties you like in a photo album so you’ll know what to keep an eye out for when you’re out and about.
Under $150
While DTC menswear brands don’t always deliver the most stylish pieces, Bonobos offers a surprisingly good treasure trove of on-sale patterns in high-quality materials. Made of 100 percent silk, this Italian number from the brand is pretty innocuous and kind of perfect for when you just want a reliable tie at a not-too-bad price.
“The benefits of a tie are in the things unseen — the attention to detail makes it stand apart,” says Louis Geramita, who owns a small tailor shop and spends his days helping guys upgrade their style by bestowing actionable advice. Incorporating a tie into an otherwise mundane outfit is one such tip. Geramita recommends this tie, which he says is incredibly durable, making it worth the price. Handcrafted and inspired by vintage Italian designs, it’s an ideal tie to add some flavor to your more contemporary pieces.
Shopping Cordings for ties is a recommendation from Stewart, along with Chase Winfrey, men’s brand manager at J. McLaughlin, who told me, “You can never go wrong with a plain navy knit — I always travel with a plain navy cotton knit and it has saved me on many occasions.” On the occasions when something a bit more festive is in order, both Stewart and Winfrey love the silk options from this British country clothier. This Flock of Birds tie features an upper crust-y assortment of pheasants and turkeys (English country estate not included).
Benjamin Kelly is the founder of Dinosaur Hampton, a clothing line based in Minneapolis, who told me that his best tie tip is to always start your look with a white button-down. “Like the first paint stroke on a canvas, you will have the whole world ahead of you in a clean white shirt,” he says. “Then you get to play hard and work hard as you try different tie styles and colors.” His preferred tie is from Ralph Lauren — specifically, one that’s not “too stiff” and that has “some flow-y personality, a tie that isn’t afraid to go where the wind takes it.” This pony-print one is just that.
For Christopher Echevarria, founder and creative director of Backstock & Weber and Academy, a great tie is one of two things: very silky or very much not silky. “The silky ties I like are a bit wide,” he says. “I’m a big fan of the versatility of knit ties as well.” He’s been collecting ties since the early 2000s, especially ones from Atelier Alexander Olch, which have stood the test of even the most robust closet clean out. Here’s his quick styling tip: The wider the lapel, the wider the tie.
Over $150
“A hand-rolled edge, lightweight interlining, an interesting print or a unique stripe”: That’s what Winfrey looks for in any tie. Since he wears a tie three-to-four times a week and works in menswear, we’ll take his $230 pick as worthy of the splurge. It’s from the store Marinella in Naples, which Winfrey says produces “really beautifully understated ties with silks screenprinted in Macclesfield.” He adds that he also collects vintage club ties, often from eBay, that were designed for different clubs or specialty men’s shops. “Some of the best ones in my collection come from Chipp, who were tailors for JFK, among a long list of others,” he says.
One of Bell’s favorite ties comes from Drake’s, the king of downtown New York menswear brands. “Drake’s is a classic option for tasteful, unique ties, all of which are handmade in London. It offers everything from your standard stripes and dots to complex paisley prints, and you can get them in silk, wool, or cashmere,” says Bell. Straddled somewhere between modern and classic, the designs feel like a nod to trends while still looking like something you’ll want to wear for decades to come.
[Editor’s note: This exact tie is currently out of stock, but the brown colorway is still available for the same price, and you can browse all Drake’s ties here.]
Bell warns that this leather tie is expert level, as proven on Ayo Edebiri earlier this year. “Bottega Veneta continues to find garments to craft in leather — my favorite being the spring ’23 leather flannel — and this tie is incredibly chic,” he says. If this option is outside your budget, try looking for a similar deep burgundy shade in a silk or knit.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
