Any properly attired gentleman knows that the length of your tie should be such that the point rests in the middle of your belt buckle (while standing).

The resting point of the tie is dependant on the height of the wearer, the distance the tie has to travel over a belly, the thickness of the neck, the type of knot used, the taper of the tie and thickness of material used in its construction.

I propose a handy calculator that accepts all these variables and gives you a measurement indicating where the first loop of the knot should start. This could then be marked on the tie so that it could be tied to the perfect length first time - every time.
-- MikeyTheBikey, May 12 2005

The low down on ties. http://www.straight...lassics/a2_155.html
From the 'Straight Dope' archive. [DrBob, May 12 2005]

Ask, po, and you shall receive http://engadget.com...y/2238136368279992/
[theircompetitor, May 12 2005]

Finally my "tie, retie, retie, retie, adjust" procedure is a thing of the past! [+]
-- DocBrown, May 12 2005


a mechanical solution would be nice
-- po, May 12 2005


For people of non corpulent build, the belt buckle rule is indeed correct. For the fat, though, things are more complicated. If the tie point is to meet the belt buckle exactly and not hang plumb from the tangent point, to overcome the overhang it requires to be either attached to the belt buckle itself (perhaps with magnets) or worn too long and tucked into the trousers. This latter option has the effect of leaving the wearer looking like he has been giftwrapped.

The popular alternative, to wear the tie short, looking like a silken expeditionary force run out of courage or provisions at the edge of the Great Belly Tundra, is also unacceptable.

So, the answer is: magnets.
-- calum, May 12 2005


Serious question: Why does anyone wear a tie?
As a draught excluder for your shirt buttons?
As a reminder and pointer to your belt buckle? (even then, it only works reliably when you're standing up straight)
C'mon, it is the single most pointless and ridiculous item of "clothing" ever inflicted. OK, second most ridiculous - bow-ties come top - all they do is hide a collar button, and face it, collars are only there to hide ties. </rant>
-- coprocephalous, May 12 2005


i remember reading that the neck tie derived from the bib.

i've been told that a good way to measure is to make the front of the tie, when draped around the neck in the beginning, reach down to the bottom of your scrotum. i'm six foot one and overweight, this procedure will take into account any gut, but i still have to be sure to buy long enough ties.

works for me.
-- -wess, May 12 2005


But what if you just got out of the pool?
-- RayfordSteele, May 12 2005


Where can I subscribe to the newsletter?! [+]
-- contracts, May 12 2005


I've always assumed the tie is there to distract from the fact that you've worn the same shirt three days in a row.
-- moomintroll, May 12 2005


I've always been taught that the tie should reach the bottom of the belt buckle, and that they should be to-the-millimeter even. The line of the overlayer of the button area should also extend straight down to the belt, be even with the right edge of the belt, and be even with the right edge of the flap of the fly.

EDIT: Crap, I never realized what a total tool I am.
-- shapu, May 12 2005


I always though some of you people had to go to the SD too.

Ties? they're ok, but figety little things.
-- finrod, May 12 2005


// reach down to the bottom of your scrotum // - Is that why not many women wear ties?

I find that the right length is acheived when the front of the tie hangs about knee height. Either I tie a different knot to you - or I could gain employment in a circus as an anatomical feak. I'll leave it to your imagination which...
-- MikeyTheBikey, May 13 2005


Nobody's got it right yet. The tie is the right length when the widest part of the tie is even with the top of the belt buckle.

I recommend not tying in front of a mirror. Works every time for me. If I use a mirror I almost always have to retie.

This idea would not work, since there are varying places that the first loop can be started and still work out to be the same length. The loop starting point does not determine the length of tie, it's how far up you draw the knot.
-- waugsqueke, May 13 2005


I can't understand why no one's suggested selling ties with a matching set of little velcro-covered tie-extenders to enable men to always get their ties to the right length without any tedious retying.
-- hippo, May 13 2005


oh wonderful tc. thank you.
-- po, May 13 2005


Where can I buy one? (+)
-- PauloSargaco, Jun 02 2006


[+] for the sub heading. I could use this for the once a year that I do put on a tie.
-- energy guy, Jun 02 2006


YES YES YES +
-- elhigh, Jun 07 2006


+ ah, the lighthearted years of the 'bakery...
-- xandram, Jan 17 2013



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