Everything You Need to Know About Tie Bars

How to pair them, where to clip it, and more

Written by Jacob Sigala

Gentlemen, the tie bar, tie clip, tie clasp, tie slide, cha-cha-slide–call it what you will (okay, maybe not the last one)–is your rite to impeccable class. Have you ever wanted to look neurotically stylish? Then pay attention to detail.

What Are Tie Bars?

With the introduction of a little metal pin during the Victorian Era, ties could no longer fly with the wind, nor could they ruin soup dinners. The issue with said tie pins, however, was that they’d puncture neckwear, leaving holes. So in the 1900s, the spring-loaded tie bar was born as a solution, and soon after, a more simple slide version of this tie bar came into existence.

Much like cufflinks, tie bars speak volumes about one’s personality. Sure, they are small, but remember what Yoda said? Size matters not, gentlemen. At least, not in this circumstance.

Types of Tie Bars: Tie Clips vs. Tie Slides

Both tie clips and tie slides look essentially the same from the front.

The tie clip operates on a hinge and clasps onto your tie to hold it in place. The slide bar, on the other hand, works like its namesake implies–simply push and slide it into place. Either one will get the job done, but we prefer the clip versions, as slides can shift in position throughout the day.

How to Wear a Tie Bar

Tie bars hold your tie in place by binding your neckwear to the front placket of your shirt. As for tie bar placement, it should sit right over your sternum, between the third and fourth buttons.

Tie Bar Size

Tie bar width ranges from half an inch to three inches. Generally, skinny ties will be worn with tie bars between 1 to 1.5 inches across, while wider ties work better with tie clips greater than 1.5 inches across. Work it out visually–if the tie bar extends further than the tie’s width, something is wrong. A good place for the tie bar to end is around 3/4 of the way across your tie.

Tie Bar Placement

There is a general area between the third and fourth button on your dress shirt that we dubbed “the sweet spot,” but if you want to get a little more specific, the sweetest spot is right below the third button. This is where the bar can truly shine in all its glory while retaining its impeccable functionality. If you position it too high, you’re basically choking your tie and losing your bar’s functionality (it will no longer work well at holding your tie in place). Too low, and you are getting into a weird asymmetric zone. Stick to the sweet spot; you’ll know when you’ve found it.

Tie Bar Materials

There was a point in the tie bar’s history when colors were limited to gold and silver.

Glossy silver works well with practically any tie combination. Gold, on the other hand, will stand out. That’s why a gold tie bar pairs best against darker hues or a solid colored tie. It’s a trickier feat to match gold with bright prints without clashing, but that’s not to say it can’t be done.

Today, tie bars come in all shades of metal: white gold, silver, rose gold, yellow gold, matte black, and even colorful enamel.

Do proceed with caution, though. As colors and styles get bolder, their ability to thoughtlessly complement decreases. If you want to add showstopper ornamentation to your outfit, contemplate the look. There’s a time and a place for golden Weiner dog tie bars. Figure out how to pair it, and your look will be epic, and adorable to women.

If you’re wearing other accessories, be mindful of how all the colors go together. If you want to play it safe, match your tie bar and cufflinks. If you’re feeling bold, go forth and pair how you will. Kudos! Let us know what worked for you.

Matching Tie Bars and Ties

What about the type of tie? Frankly, tie bars can go with any tie–skinny ties, wide ties, knit ties, novelty ties–you name it. All we ask, for the sake of the tie, is that you mind the tie’s construction. For example, if it’s a knit tie, we recommend using a tie slide rather than a clamp, as the clamp’s teeth may damage the tie.

Adding Layers

What happens when I wear a jacket or a cardigan? Don’t worry. It’s all good. The two primary functions of the bar are to hold the tie in place and add some extra style. Just keep the position of the tie bar in mind. If you were thinking of wearing your tie bar close to the fourth button, you might want to move it up toward the second or third button so that it will still be visible if you wear another layer (especially if you’re buttoning it).

Tie Bar Alternatives

There are plenty of aesthetically pleasing alternatives, but these options do puncture the tie.

The tie tac, tie tack, or tie pin has the same function as a tie bar. It pins to the tie and has a chain that attaches to the shirt button, so the tie is held in place by a chain. All of these items achieve the same end goal, so it comes down to preference, and whether you’re okay with a little hole in your neckwear.

That’s it, folks. Almost all the nifty tie bars featured in this article can be found on our website. Feel free to take a gander: Tie Bars and Tie Clips

Jacob Sigala

SOURCE: THE GENTLEMANUAL