Blue or red knot always the best tie options
So just what does being one of the so-called "men in blue ties" mean? Colour experts say it conveys trust, calm, peace and dependability, and can be worn to establish trust and credibility. On the downside, it is also sometimes considered to be cold, predictable and - you guessed it - conservative.
Conversely, the red tie brigade are attempting to project power, energy, strength and assertiveness, in a bid to be noticed and appear authoritative. Red may also be construed as threatening, aggressive, stressful and dangerous.
Even so, the classic power combo of dark jacket, white shirt and red tie remains the choice of ambitious business leaders and politicians.
"This is the most powerful colour combination there is as it puts together high contrast with high-energy red, and immediately commands attention," says Bronwyn Fraser, a Melbourne-based colour consultant.
Colour is the first thing that others notice and recall. But although we react to colour, understanding its use and meaning is not instinctive. Men of power do not necessarily know what to reach for in their closets. They are most likely advised.
Colour can be learnt and it is an easy way to convey a message to the world and to create an impression. Powerfulness might not always be the appropriate image, even for the powerful. "Politicians are great examples of this," says Fraser. "When campaigning and out meeting and greeting you often see them wearing a blue shirt with a tie that has yellow in its print or design. This combination says approachable, trustworthy and friendly."
Fraser says another colour combination that many men who manage or work closely with women in the workplace is shirts and ties in pink or lilac tones. "These colours can send a subliminal message that the man is intuitive and understands women. I have had this confirmed by a client who says that whenever he has worn these colours, women have always commented favourably."
The darker the suit, the more authority and influence it has. A good choice for corporate men are shades of charcoal and navy. Black, while not technically a colour, is becoming more common in business. But, says Fraser, it should be avoided in the areas of law and finance. "Black suits still have that association with gangsters. The wearer - if he's male - may give the impression he's not trustworthy."
But black suits are seen as suitable and appropriate in the fashion, media, arts and hospitality industries. There's been a swing back to brown, long seen as dowdy.
"Young creatives in the media and advertising industries are wearing a modern take, with checked shirts, or brown shoes with dark suits," Fraser said.
But if you don't have an image adviser on hand, how do you learn to use colour to your advantage? "There are some great guys walking the floor of David Jones," says Fraser. "Hugo Boss and other specialty menswear stores always offer excellent advice."
The rule of thumb for men is the tie must always feature one of the colours of the shirt in a harmonising rather than contrasting shade.
Charcoal to dark grey and dark navy are universal colours that suit everyone and give a good base to create your own signature look with shirts and ties.
What the colours mean
■ Blue: Conveys trust, calm, peace, dependability, but also cold, predictable, conservative. Wear it to establish trust and credibility.
■ Red: Conveys power, energy, strength, assertiveness, but also threatening, aggressive, stressful, danger. Wear it to be noticed and appear authoritative.
■ Yellow: Conveys cheer, creativity, optimism, energy, friendliness, but also impulsiveness. Wear it to appear friendly, approachable.
■ Green: Conveys confidence, reassurance, restfulness, but also envy, stubbornness. Wear it to show dependability.
■ Orange: Conveys vibrancy, creativity, but also egocentricity, dominance. Wear it to show enthusiasm and energy.
■ Violet: Conveys peace, spirituality, regality. Wear it to appear calm and in control.
■ Pink: Conveys youth, happiness, thoughtfulness, but also weakness, immaturity. Wear it to show compassion and understanding.
■ Brown: Conveys stability, security, comfort, but also boringness, stubbornness. Wear it to show stability, dependability.
■ Grey: Conveys wisdom, efficiency, but also insecurity, indecision. Wear it to show confidence and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Blue ties tend to convey trust, calm, dependability and credibility — useful when someone wants to appear reliable. Red ties project power, energy, strength and assertiveness, so they’re used to be noticed and appear authoritative. For investors reading signals from politicians or executives, a blue tie can suggest a steady, conservative approach while a red tie signals ambition and forcefulness.
A blue tie signals trustworthiness, calm and dependability, making it a good choice when you want to establish credibility in meetings with investors or stakeholders. Be mindful that very conservative or predictable impressions can also come with blue, so match it to the occasion.
A red tie communicates power, energy, strength and assertiveness — useful when you want to command attention or appear authoritative in a pitch or negotiation. However, red can also be read as aggressive, threatening or stressful, so use it when boldness is appropriate.
Charcoal, dark grey and navy are recommended corporate suit colours because they convey authority and provide a neutral base for shirts and ties. Black is becoming more common in business but the article advises avoiding black in law and finance because it can give an untrustworthy or gangster-like impression, while black suits remain suitable in fashion, media, arts and hospitality.
A simple rule is to ensure your tie features one of the colours in your shirt in a harmonising, not contrasting, shade. For an approachable, trustworthy look, try a blue shirt with a tie that has yellow in its print — a combination politicians often use when campaigning. Use charcoal or navy suits as a stable base and choose ties that complement your shirt.
Yes — the article notes that pink and lilac tones can send a subliminal message of intuition and understanding, and that some men receive favourable comments when wearing these colours. They can be useful for signalling compassion and thoughtfulness in workplaces with many women.
If you don’t have an image adviser, speciality menswear stores and department stores can offer good guidance. The article specifically mentions David Jones, Hugo Boss and other specialty menswear shops as sources of helpful advice on colour and fit.
According to the article: yellow conveys cheer, creativity and friendliness (but can seem impulsive); green signals confidence and reassurance; orange suggests vibrancy and enthusiasm; violet conveys calm, spirituality and regality; brown denotes stability and comfort; and grey implies wisdom and efficiency (but can also signal indecision). Choose colours that match the professional message you want to send.
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