Apart from being a fashion tradition, the tie also serves as a means of adding a dash of colour to your outfit. Choosing a tie is really simple as there are no big rules. Our guide will tell you things to look out for.

Fat or Thin? There really is no strict rule on how wide or thin a tie knot should be. A safe bet however should be to find the middle ground and settle for the width that seems to be what everyone is wearing. The important consideration is the relationship of a tie's knot to the shirt collar. If the relationship is proper, the knot will never be so large that it spreads the collar or forces it open, nor will it be so small that it will become lost in the collar. How big a knot becomes is dependant on the type of knot and also the thickness of the tie.

Matching A Tie to a shirt. The general rule is that a tie with patterns should NOT be worn with a shirt with patterns. Everything else is allowed.

Dimples. Dimples look good on your tie knot. Regardless of which knot you decide to opt for, there should be a dimple or crease in the center of the tie just below the knot. This forces the tie to billow and creates a fullness that is essential for proper draping.

Length of tie. The wide end should hang lower than the thin end, covering the thin end. You definitely, don't want the wide end hanging too low, you should aim at making sure the bottom tip of your tie touches the upper part of your belt.

Taking Your Tie Off. Though it might seem easier to simply slip the small end out of the knot, don't! Doing this reduces the longevity of your tie. Instead, untie the knot first (by slipping out the fat end), reversing the steps you used when you tied the knot This reversal of steps will untwist the fibers of the material and lining and will help alleviate light creases.