To wear a tie correctly with a waistcoat, you should always place the tie under the waistcoat, not over it.
Wearing a tie with a waistcoat is a classic combination, often seen with suits or as part of a formal ensemble. While it might seem simple, there is a fundamental rule to follow for proper styling, as highlighted by sartorial guidelines: you should wear a tie under your waistcoat.
The Correct Placement
The established method for combining a tie and a waistcoat involves layering them correctly:
- Shirt: Start with your dress shirt.
- Tie: Put on your tie, tying the knot as usual. Ensure the tie lays flat against your shirt front.
- Waistcoat: Button your waistcoat over the shirt and tie.
The reference specifically advises, "The tie should be placed over your dress shirt and under your waistcoat." This ensures a clean and polished look, allowing the waistcoat to frame the tie knot neatly at the top while covering the majority of the tie below the chest line.
Avoiding the Common Mistake
A common misstep, as the reference warns, is to "Don't Wear a Tie Over Your Waistcoat." Wearing the tie outside the waistcoat creates a bulky and untidy appearance, disrupting the streamlined silhouette that a waistcoat is designed to provide. The waistcoat is meant to be a layering piece that pulls the outfit together, and the tie should integrate smoothly beneath it.
By following the rule of wearing your tie under your waistcoat, you achieve a traditional, refined look that is both stylish and correct according to classic menswear principles.
