So, I had this old suit gathering dust in my closet. The fit was alright, but it felt…blah. The tie situation was even worse – a sad collection of outdated patterns and questionable colors. I decided it was time for a revamp, starting with the tie.

First, I emptied out my tie drawer. Seriously, it was like an archaeological dig of bad fashion choices. Stripes that clashed with everything, paisleys that looked like they belonged in the 70s…you get the picture.
The Purge
- Tossed anything stained, frayed, or hopelessly out of style. No regrets.
- Kept a few classic solid colors – navy, burgundy, black. These are always useful.
- Set aside a couple with sentimental value, even if I’d never wear them again. (My grandpa’s tie, for example.)
Next, I did some research. What tie styles are actually in right now? I scrolled through some style blogs (avoiding anything too trendy – I wanted timeless, not fleeting fashion). I also quickly checked tie width of other people nearby. Not too skinny, not too wide…somewhere in the middle seemed to be the sweet spot.
The Shopping Trip
Armed with this newfound knowledge, I hit the shops. I was looking for quality, not quantity.
- Felt the fabric – silk is always a good choice, but I also found some nice wool options for a more textured look.
- Compared colors to my existing suit – I wanted ties that would complement, not compete.
- Tried them on (with the help from store staff) – yes, you can try on ties! It helps to see how they knot and drape.
I ended up picking out three new ties:
- A classic navy with a subtle texture.
- A burgundy with small, elegant dots.
- A gray silk with a faint herringbone pattern.
Finally, I practiced tying a few different knots. I’d always stuck with the basic four-in-hand, but I wanted to branch out. I watched some videos and after a few fumbles, I mastered the half-Windsor. It looks much more polished.

The result? My old suit feels new again, all thanks to a few well-chosen ties and a bit of knot-tying practice. It’s amazing how such a small accessory can make such a big difference!