Ties R Us

Category: Tips

  • Dress Code Do’s & Don’ts

    Dress Code Do’s & Don’ts

    Menswear can be something of a minefield when it comes to hitting the right mark with your ensemble, especially if you haven’t experienced many forays into the world of formal fashion.

    Though some things may seem fairly obvious, it’s important to get every aspect of your outfit right, and so having a handy checklist at your disposal can be a lifesaver when you’re getting ready to leave for a formal event. 

    To help you out, the Ties R Us team have put together a list of dress code do’s and don’ts, making sure that you’re dressed to impress down to every last detail.

    Get on top of your grooming

    As well as your dapper suit and tie combination, one of the first things people will notice is just how well-groomed you are – or aren’t. 

    A fresh hair cut or trim makes all the difference when attending a formal function and it’ll set off the sharpness of your suit perfectly. Sporting some facial hair? Don’t let this go unattended either! A beard trim or the removal of stubble will go a long way to adding to your outfit’s impact.

    Find the right fit

    There aren’t may dress code don’ts bigger than poorly fitting clothes, and so finding the right sized clothing, accessories and a snug-fitting suit should be high on your list of priorities.

    Too loose and your outfit looks rushed and thrown together, too tight and it’s unflattering on your figure. A good fit is paramount to impressing with your ensemble at any kind of event.

    Think about your footwear

    It’s not just your garments that need careful thought and attention, your footwear is an essential part of your outfit too. The best way to approach this particular hurdle is to think about the formality of the event and the season in which it’s taking place.

    For instance, you might get away with some colour-coordinated, non-flashy trainers and a skinny-fit suit at an informal summer wedding, the likes of Converse are incredibly popular. An event in the colder months might call for some smart-yet-warm boots paired with the right cut of trousers, it all depends on the setting.

    Iron out the creases

    Turning up to an event with wrinkle-covered clothing is a big no and never a good look. To onlookers, it will seem like you’ve rushed getting ready and perhaps don’t even care about the occasion you’re frequenting. 

    We recommend ironing and laying out your clothing in a well-ventilated room the day before you’re due to wear your outfit, this will allow the clothes time to breathe and avoid any troublesome creases setting in.

    Pick out complementary patterns

    One of the most common mistakes made by unwitting suit wearers is pattern clashing. There are a plethora of different styles out there, and an even bigger choice of colours on top of that, so it’s no wonder that things can get a little confusing or overwhelming. Do your research and mix and match different patterns and tones to find out what works best for your ensemble. Need a little extra help? Check out our guides on suit and tie and shirt and tie combinations.

    Sunglasses after dark

    Sure, sunglasses can add to your outfit’s appeal, but only given the right setting and occasion. They’re a must for summer weddings and they can help with the glare or adding a touch of glam at a daytime winter wedding too.

    However, when the sun sets and you’re off cutting shapes on the dancefloor, clinging onto your Ray-Bans as well as your daytime look is definitely the wrong move!

    Enjoyed our article and looking for more helpful how to’s and style advice? Don’t miss the Ties R Us blog page for more up-to-date accessory information.

  • How to Clean a Tie

    Ties have the ability to pull an outfit together, and whatever the occasion, nothing says sharp-dressed, professional or influential quite like a sharp suit and carefully chosen tie. 

    Of course, your necktie is only impactful and aesthetically pleasing if it’s clean, and so if the garment is stained or unkempt, it’s going to affect your overall ensemble. Looking after your tie in the correct way is a key factor towards both allowing it to function in an outfit and safeguarding it for years to come. 

    There are a lot of opinions out there concerning tie care, whether that’s the processes involved or what to use, but rest assured, because our Ties R Us team has compiled a list of everything you need to know to keep your ties in tip-top condition.

    General Maintenance

    How often do you come home from a long day at work, kick off your shoes and lethargically pull at the tie that has felt like a ligature all day? In short, don’t! 

    Tugging at your tie just enough to slip it off over your head is a big no when it comes to general maintenance. Instead, you should take the time to carefully remove your tie, this will aid in maintaining the tie’s shape as will avoiding knotting the tie when it’s not in use. 

    The stitching in your tie is incredibly delicate, so handling it too roughly when removing it can cause the stitching to break, effectively ruining your tie.

    Cleaning Your Ties

    Ties are an important part of an ensemble, but they do sit precariously close to the dropzone for any wayward food or drink. Spillages and splashes are sometimes unavoidable, however, unlike the rest of your laundry pile, the washing of ties can be problematic.

    Various delicate fabrics mean that the cleaning process should be approached differently, so machine washing your tie and then bunging it into the tumble dryer is something that you should avoid. Instead, we recommend that your ties should be either hand washed or dry cleaned and left to air dry, depending on the fabric. 

    Spot Cleaning A Tie

    As we mentioned above, it’s inevitable that at some point you’re likely to encounter unwanted spills and stains on your tie, but before you go about cleaning the tie by other means, it’s important that you try and spot clean any stains first. 

    If the stain is water-soluble, try using sparkling water on a clean cloth and firmly dabbing the stain to try and lift it, be gentle enough so as not to rub the stain and embed it into the fabric further. 

    If your stain is oil-based, the removal process can be a little more difficult. We recommend trying talcum powder or cornflour to try and lift the stain, though these are best being applied straight away and left for a couple of hours for the cleaning process to have any effect. 

    How To Clean A Silk Tie

    Silk ties are a popular accessory option thanks to their versatility, and it’s this very adaptability which allows them to be worn to a range of occasions across all seasons. 

    Despite being soft and smooth to the touch, silk is actually is incredibly strong, durable and retains its shape well. That being said silk is not a fan of moisture, chemicals or abrasive rubbing, all of which can damage your silk necktie beyond repair. So how do you clean a silk tie? Here is what we suggest:

    • Dry clean only, allow a professional who knows their fabrics to look after your garment and make sure you ask them to hand press the tie to keep the edge of the tie maintained. 
    • Avoid using a tumble dryer on your silk tie altogether, and if your tie happens to get wet, hang it up and allow it to air dry.
    • It’s recommended that you steam silk as direct contact with the iron can cause the material to burn. If the iron is your only option, use a towel or clean cloth in between the tie and iron, which should be on the lowest heat setting possible.
    • Never use bleach as this will cause serious damage to the tie.

    How To Clean A Wool Tie

    Perfect for replacing cool, light summer fabrics like satin and silk, woollen ties are naturally thicker and are an ideal accessory option for the colder winter months. The texture of a wool tie is generally heavier and provides a little extra insulation, as well as looking great in your ensemble. While wool ties are an excellent addition to your wardrobe, they can prove a bit of a pain to look after. Here some tips on how to care for a wool tie:

    • You should only dry clean when absolutely necessary, washing wool increases the chance of shrinking the material which is irreversible.
    • Never use a tumble dryer, instead, you should hang your tie to air dry. 
    • You should not use an iron on a woollen tie, instead use a steamer to remove any wrinkles or creases 
    • Never use hot water or bleach and avoid storing in plastic or direct sunlight.

    How To Clean A Polyester Tie

    Polyester is a man-made fibre, and though it has similar properties to cotton, it boasts added benefits such as affordability and durability. Along with being cost-effective, polyester ties are water-resistant, quick-drying, do not shrink and are wrinkle-resistant, all desirable factors when it comes to a hassle-free accessory for all occasions. Cleaning a polyester tie is much simpler, but take a look at these top tips for preserving your tie and extra peace of mind:

    • Polyester ties should be hand-washed gently in either cold or warm water.
    • Prior to hanging the tie to air dry, use a towel to press out any excess water. 
    • Though it’s recommended that you use a steamer, you can use an iron on a low or medium setting.
    • Never use bleach on polyester, a hot iron setting and avoid wringing or twisting the tie when wet.

    If you’re on the search for more top tie tips and style guides, check out our Ties R Us blog page and follow our expert team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

  • Ties R Us Tips: How to Remove Creases from Ties

    As is the case with most items of clothing, your tie collection will need the occasional de-crease if you want to dress to your best. After all, you want onlookers to be complementing your ensemble or the pattern of your tie, not picking holes in your outfit or commenting on your cravat looking more like a crinkled sheet of crate paper. 

    The thing is, ties are delicate little things, and you should only iron them when completely necessary after all other options have been exhausted. The reason for this? The harsh heat of a standard iron can very quickly burn and damage your ties, especially if they’re of the woollen, silk or polyester variety. 

    To keep your prized ties in pristine condition, our expert Ties R Us team have compiled a handy list of tips on how to remove creases from ties and pocket squares – safely and successfully! 

    Tip #1

    Hang your tie or ties on a clothes hanger or clothes rail. It pays to ensure that the cupboard or wardrobe is well-ventilated, after all, you don’t want any moisture and dampness damaging your neckties. 

    We recommend leaving the ties to hang for at least two days, in which time many if not all of the creases should disappear naturally without the use of heat.

    Tip #2

    If the hands-off approach of letting your ties hang doesn’t produce the right results, try using steam power. 

    There are a couple of ways to get rid of creases in your ties using steam, the first (and cheapest) method is to hang your ties in the bathroom while taking a hot shower. Place the ties far enough away from the shower so as not to get wet, the heat and steam produced from your shower should then work out those troublesome wrinkles in no time. 

    Secondly, you can use a steam cleaner. There are fairly inexpensive models out there to purchase, or if you’ve got a bulk of garments and accessories to go through you can even hire one. Hold the steam cleaner lightly against the fabric of your ties and move the nozzle up and down the length of the tie until it’s crease-free.

    Tip #3

    Simply rolling up your tie can also free your accessories of troublesome creases and wrinkles. We suggest rolling up the narrowest end of your tie to the widest point, then leave the rolled-up tie to rest for 24 to 48 hours. 

    If you’re experienced some issues with unravelling, secure the end of the roll with your trusty tie pin or a hair grip or paper clip if you’ve not got a tie pin to hand. 

    Tip #4

    If all of the above fails, it could be time to resort to your iron – but don’t do so without taking the correct precautions. We must stress that you should only iron out creases if absolutely necessary, get things wrong and your tie could quickly become toast! 

    This is especially true of delicate silk ties, while you should also exercise caution concerning polyester and wool too. Always check the label of the tie for the recommended iron heat setting, you’ll need a cool setting for polyester and silk and a medium setting for wool ties. 

    We recommend placing a clean white towel or cloth over the ironing board to ensure you tie doesn’t pick up and dirt or discolouration from the board itself; iron the tie with the rear-facing side up, working your way up the fabric from top to bottom while allowing the steam from the iron to further work out those unwanted wrinkles. 

    If you’re searching for more handy tips, how to’s and style guides, visit our Ties R Us blog page and follow us over on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.