There are so many different types of ties for men several you may not even know about. Today, I’m covering them all.
Whether it’s for business meetings or formal occasions, we’ve all worn a tie at least once in our lives. At the time of this writing though, something new is happening with men’s neckties.
They’re back in style.
Of course, ties were never out of style per se. True formal wear has and will always call for a tie. They’ll always be relevant, that much we know.
But, for a while, it was more fashionable to go without a tie unless the dress code called for it. Right now, decorative neckwear is for everyone, not just the traditional and not just the formal-leaning. And I’m not just saying this because all of the fashion magazines are.
It’s a good time to explore this wide universe of different types of neckties. There’s a lot more out there than you may think!
Types of Neckties
We’ll start with the common necktie that you’re definitely 100% familiar with. But did you know its official, formal name?
1. The Common Necktie aka the Langsdorf
The modern necktie is a long piece of cloth tied around your neck. It’s placed under the collar, with the exposed knot placed right by your throat. The slack then drapes over your chest and stomach.
The style can range from a simple knot to a more robust one. Check out our guide to the best knots to see what might suit your personal style best.
The closest ancestor to today’s ties was invented in the 1920s. Jesse Langsdorf, a tie maker based in New York, patented a specific tie cut. This design upped the cloth’s elasticity, allowing it to maintain its shape as it was tied and untied.
As such, modern ties are actually called Langsdorf ties.
And, as you may know, the common Langsdorf tie comes in a wide range of styles itself. The following two styles are two extreme examples.
Kipper Tie
Imagine a regular Langsdorf, but it’s extremely wide. That’s a kipper tie. The slack that hangs over your chest will cover most of the area it drapes over.
Under a buttoned-up suit jacket, a kipper design basically reverses the role of the shirt and the tie. Instead of the tie being the accent, it becomes the main color block. With most of the shirt covered, it then becomes the accent color.
Kippers are associated with Swingin’ London style and, therefore, come in bright colors and loud patterns.
Skinny Necktie
Skinny ties are exactly what they sound like, a Langsdorf that’s extra thin. They were popular in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s when tailoring started to become more form-fitting. They’ve since come in and out of style quite a few times and pair naturally with a high-hemmed, slim-fit suit with narrow lapels.
Types of Bow Ties
A bow tie features a bow that sits by your throat where the knot of a Langsdorf sits. There’s often no long slack, and it will likely be worn at a formal event with a tuxedo.
Here are a few variations of bow ties:
- The standard bow tie is also called the butterfly because it’s shaped like one. It’s around two and a half inches in height.
- The jumbo butterfly has a more dramatic silhouette since the ends are around four inches in height. This makes the knot look smaller and each wing more triangular.
- The batwing is the complete opposite of a jumbo, with an almost straight rectangle silhouette. It’s about one and a half inches in height.
- The diamond point bow tie is a butterfly with pointed sides instead of flat ones. Each side features a diamond-shaped wing.
- The rounded bow tie is one with rounded wing ends instead of straight ones like the standard or pointy ones like the diamond point.
And finally, there’s the ribbon, or the western, which deserves its own category.
Western Bow Tie
A western bow tie is simply a piece of ribbon tied around your collar. It’s thinner than the material used for a standard bowtie, with the slack on each side hanging long. They’re no different than a bow a young girl might wear in her hair.
Also called the colonel, this tie is associated with the genteel south, as opposed to its more Texas cowboy side.
Bolo Tie
Speaking of cowboys, allow me to introduce the bolo tie.
If you don’t live in the southwest or western parts of the US, you may not be familiar with this uncommon neckwear option.
It’s a piece of cord or leather with a decorative slide clasp that secures the tie and sits where a Langsdorf’s knot would. The ends of the cord feature ornaments called aiguillettes.
It’s a mix of cowboy and Native American styles. It might incorporate turquoise or silversmithing from the Pueblo Natives.
Cravat
A cravat is a type of neck decor that features a band that wraps around the back of your neck and two broad wings that get tied up in the front of your neck.
To learn more about cravats, as well as what makes it terminologically different from an ascot, check out my guide on ascots (and how to tie them!).
The long and short of it is that you can mostly use the terms ascot and cravat interchangeably without consequence, even if doing so isn’t perfectly accurate.
Seven Fold Tie
A seven-fold tie is like a beefed-up version of a traditional Langsford. With the latter, you’ll notice that the edges of the material are folded in the back in such a way that they touch but don’t overlap. This results in a thinner composition.
With a seven-fold tie, there are several parts folded into each other, seven parts to be exact.
The result is a fuller tie with a bigger drape. It’s a far more luxurious look.
These ties can be quite expensive (several hundred dollars a piece)
Sailor Tie
A sailor tie is worn under the flap of a sailor’s uniform.
The knot is then situated on your chest, right below the v-neck collar.
What Type of Ties Are in Style
The Langsdorf tie has been in style for decades. Thicker ties and knots were popular in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, but thinner ties are more popular today.
Although the post-aughts era saw a rise in skinny ties, more moderate cuts are common today. This is good news since they’re the most trend-resistant.
If you live in New Mexico or certain parts of Texas, you might see a lot more bolo ties. They might seem like something out of a cowboy movie, but they’re alive and well in these Western regions!
Meanwhile, a tuxedo is best paired with a traditional bow tie.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to common questions about neckties.
How Many Types of Ties Are There?
Depending on how you categorize them, there are over ten types of neckties you can wear today.
What Ties Are Trending in 2024?
Knit ties, bold patterns, and cuts of all sizes are trending in 2024. Depending on one’s personal style, solid satin constructions and even florals are currently very popular as well.
What Is a Wide Tie Called?
A kipper is a wide tie that covers a big portion of your shirt.
What Is a Cowboy Tie Called?
A cowboy tie is officially called a bolo tie.
Conclusion: A Tie for All Seasons
As you can see, there’s a type of tie for every type of guy.
You can wear one irreverently, like early aughts pop-punk musicians did, or highly formally.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with a traditional Langsdorf.
What types of ties do you like to wear? Sound off in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter!
