Style Slip-Ups: Tie Mistakes TV Personalities Make (and How to Improve Them)
You can't unsee it. When you pay as much attention to men's ties as we do, the tie mistakes made by television personalities stick out like a sore thumb. What people wear on television impacts how they're perceived by their audience. Whether it's news anchors, talk show hosts, or guest pundits, many TV personalities have something in common: ugly ties.
A tie should add polish and professionalism, but it can distract from the overall look if it's poorly chosen. From garish patterns to clashing colours, the ties worn by TV personalities often miss the mark. Which brings us to this article.
Allow us to get a few things off our chest. Indulge us while we point out a few tie bloopers. But don't worry. We'll also offer ways to correct these style pitfalls. Let's get into it.
Why Do TV Personalities Wear Ties?
Before we make our television screens more stylish, it's worth discussing why media personalities wear ties in the first place. Here's what you can expect when you wear a tie to work (and what news anchors like Jake Tapper aim for).
Exude Professionalism
A suit and tie are part of standard business attire and represent professionalism. Television journalists communicate seriousness and decorum by wearing a suit and tie. Dressing the part while they deliver the news about the economy, politics, or global conflicts helps convey credibility.
Communicate Authority
News and media members must show credibility and authority in their work and presentation. Ties are associated with influential people in high positions. That perception is engrained in our society. Projecting authority and expertise in a tie adds weight to the breaking news stories they present to the public.
In media, appearance is tied to perception. While style trends may evolve, the tie remains a powerful tool for news anchors and media personalities to project reliability and competence to their audience. But like all things, a tie can go sideways and undermine the classic style established by icons like Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow.
7 Tie Mistakes TV Personalities Make (That You Can Avoid)
Media members are under constant scrutiny, not only for what they say but also for how they present themselves. But as purveyors of refined ties and timeless style, we felt our duty to help improve the situation.
Let's discuss common tie miscues that media personalities make and offer practical tips on fixing them to maintain a sharp, credible presence on screen and behind the scenes.
1. Shiny Ties that Blind the Audience
A shiny tie made from glossy fabrics can be a poor choice for media personalities. They can create distracting glares that draw attention away from their face. Shiny ties can also appear flashy or unprofessional, undermining the credibility that media members aim to project.
The Fix: Rich colours and subtle textures offer a better alternative. They don't draw unwanted attention while maintaining a sophisticated and professional look.
2. Designs Louder than Their Voices
Shiny ties aren't the only mistake media personalities make with their ties. Loud designs can drown out their overall presentation. Bright pinks or greens unnecessarily scream for attention. People want to listen to what they have to say. They don't have to yell it in their ears.
The Fix: Understated designs like subtle stripes or visually arresting textures are the way to go. They project a confident and refined image that you expect from a credible source.
3. Dull Tie Pairings that Put People to Sleep
From the loud and shiny, we move on to tie pairings that are just plain boring. We understand dark greys and navy blues are the industry standard, but they can liven things up a little with their ties.
The Fix: Refined designs pave the way for elegant, confident outfits. But there's more to tie pairing than meets the eye. Check out our free Tie Pairing Guide, and you'll be on your way to looking polished in a tie (and making it effortless).
4. Wide Load
Wearing ties that are too wide for your body can mess with even the most stylish suits. Balanced proportions contribute to an overall aesthetic that's pleasant and sophisticated. A tie that's too wide throws off that delicate balance.
The Fix: Find ties that allow you to create balanced proportions. Coordinate your collar spread, lapel width and tie knot to achieve a subtle and refined balance between outfit elements. Speaking of knots...
5. Larger-than-Life Knots
Interviewing larger-than-life individuals doesn't need larger-than-life knots. The Windsor knot (a favourite among TV personalities) doesn't leave enough room between the collar tips and the knot's edge, creating an overcrowded look that needs improvement.
The Fix: Ties should complement, not upstage you. Wear our signature Four-In-Hand for a slender and asymmetrical knot that's sure to charm. The tight and slender Prince Albert works, too, or the Half-Windsor.
6. Loose Ties
The loose tie while pouring over documents is a staple for news anchors, but it's a look that should be saved for behind the scenes. Loosely tied knots mean your tie will look different from its intended shape.
The Fix: Tighten that knot and set a tone of precision for your tie and overall aesthetic. If you tie it right, you'll achieve a charming small fold beneath the tie's knot called the "dimple."
7. Too Many Tie Bars and Clips
Tie bars and clips are popular—we get it. But one, they can damage ties. And two, ties are accessories, and so are tie clips and bars. We believe accessorizing accessories is unnecessary.
The Fix: Keep it simple. Choose refined designs, superior materials and quality construction and your tie will look as it should and stay in place.
That's all for now. Thanks for letting us get these off our chest. Look out for these tie mistakes next time you're watching the news. In the meantime, don't be like these anchors and hosts. Make sure to check out Good Tie Etiquette: 5 Tips You Need to Know and Follow.
