A tie is the safest gift, and also the one most likely to end up in a drawer. The giver feels secure because “every man needs one”, the receiver says a polite thank you, and two months later the tie is still in its box. The cause is rarely the price. A tie as a gift succeeds when it suits the suits the recipient already owns, suits his age and position, and is clearly chosen with intent.
Quick answer
A gift tie should be woven silk in a muted colour such as navy, silver-grey or burgundy, with a small or plain pattern and a width of about 7 – 8 cm. For your father and older men, go with muted shades; for your boss, restraint; for partners, neutral colours. Add cufflinks to make a complete set.
Why a tie is harder to choose as a gift than you think
Giving clothes usually requires knowing the size. A tie doesn’t, but in exchange you need to know the recipient’s taste and wardrobe. A neon-pink tie may look great in the shop, but set beside a director’s charcoal suit it backfires. So the smart way to choose is to start from what the recipient wears, not from what you like.
If you are not sure about his wardrobe, remember the three colours that go with almost every suit: navy blue, silver-grey and burgundy. Pick one of the three and you will rarely go wrong.
Material: choose woven silk for a gift
Material decides how the tie feels in the hand and how the knot sits when it is worn. A quick comparison:
| Material | Characteristics | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Woven silk | Smooth, with a light sheen, a beautifully round knot, high durability | A gift for your boss, partners, Dad |
| Printed silk | Crisp patterns, soft, but creases more easily | People who like bold patterns |
| Wool | Warm, matte, a classic feel | Cold seasons, or people who like a relaxed style |
| Cotton, linen | Light, textured, slightly casual | Summer, a relaxed style |
| Polyester | Low price, easily shiny, a poor knot | Avoid it for a premium gift |
For a gift, woven silk is almost the default choice. A good silk tie drapes well, holds its shape for a long time and looks refined without needing a logo.
Size: width and length
- A width of 7 – 8 cm is the most common size, suited to most builds and suit lapel styles.
- A width of 5.5 – 6.5 cm (slim) suits younger men, slim builds and fitted suits.
- Length is usually about 145 – 150 cm. A tall man, or one with a belly, needs a slightly longer tie so the tip reaches the waistband.
If you don’t know which group the recipient belongs to, choose 7 cm, standard length. That is a number that rarely disappoints.
Ties for your father and middle-aged men
This is the group most often chosen wrongly. Many people think older men like bright colours to look “fresh”, whereas most older gentlemen actually prefer muted shades and small patterns:
- Ties for Dad: navy blue, silver-grey, muted burgundy; small dots, fine diagonal stripes or a discreet paisley.
- Ties for middle-aged men: similar, plus deep olive green or reddish brown if the recipient often wears brown or dark blue suits.
- To avoid: patterns that are too large, neon colours, or ties printed with “fun” novelty motifs.
A small tip: look at what colour shirts your father usually wears. If they are often white and light blue, a navy or burgundy tie works immediately. If he likes striped shirts, choose a plain tie or one with a very small pattern so the patterns don’t “fight”.
Ties for your boss and partners: refined, not showy
A gift for your boss or partners needs to be polite and low-risk. A gift for your boss on Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (13 October), or on birthdays, promotions and anniversaries of cooperation, shares the same principles:
- Neutral colours: navy, charcoal, deep burgundy, silver.
- Classic patterns: diagonal stripes, polka dots, small repeating motifs. Avoid large brand logos.
- A nice box and a handwritten card. A gift that is usable is one thing; a gift that conveys thoughtfulness is another.
- For overseas partners: prefer international patterns (stripes, dots) over cultural symbols that are easily misread.
If you are giving to several people on one occasion, choose the same material but different colours or patterns, so each person feels his own is individual.
Making a set: silk tie and cufflinks
If you want a more complete gift, add cufflinks in a matching metal tone. Silver cufflinks go with a navy or silver-grey tie, gold-toned ones with burgundy or brown. Black onyx cufflinks with a steel rim suit most white shirts and striped ties.
A complete set might include a silk tie, a pair of cufflinks and a pocket square in the same colour family. If the recipient is a boss who often attends events, adding a neat cufflink box will make the gift more memorable. Mon Amie has ties, cufflinks and pocket squares to choose from in the products section.
What mistakes to avoid with a tie as a gift
- Choosing by your own taste instead of the recipient’s.
- Buying a tie that is too cheap. Shiny material, crooked stitching, a poor knot: the recipient can tell at a glance and won’t wear it.
- Patterns too large or too odd, hard to match with the recipient’s shirts and suits.
- Giving to someone who never wears a tie. If the recipient’s job needs no suit, switch to something else, such as a pocket square or a shirt.
- Forgetting the box and the card. The same tie in a plastic bag and in a nice box are two different gifts.
Tips from Mon Amie’s master tailors
The master tailors like to say that a fine tie is not the most expensive tie, but the one that sits right on its owner’s shirt and suit jacket. If you want to give a bigger gift to someone close to you, consider a made-to-measure suit. This gift needs the recipient to come in to be measured, and needs an appointment, so the most fitting invitation is to go together with him to a Mon Amie showroom. You can also read What Is a Tie to understand more about tie styles, and gifts for your boss on Entrepreneurs’ Day to draw up a gift list for the whole group.
Frequently asked questions
What colour tie should you choose for your father?
Choose navy blue, silver-grey or muted burgundy, with small patterns or fine diagonal stripes. These colours go with most of the shirts and suits that older gentlemen already own and are rarely out of place.
What pattern should a tie for a middle-aged man have?
Small dots, fine diagonal stripes, a discreet paisley or a tone-on-tone check. Avoid large patterns, overly bright colours or odd motifs. Middle-aged men usually prefer composure, so muted colours always suit better than vivid ones.
What else makes a good gift for a businessman besides a tie?
Cufflinks, a pocket square, a made-to-measure shirt, a leather wallet or a genuine leather belt are all suitable for working men. If you want something of lasting meaning, a made-to-measure suit is worth considering, as long as the recipient can come in to be measured.
How much should you spend on a gift for your boss on Entrepreneurs’ Day, and what should you choose?
What matters is not the number but the thoughtfulness. A good silk tie, or a pair of refined cufflinks in a nice box with a handwritten card, usually makes a stronger impression than an expensive item that doesn’t suit his taste. If you are giving as a group, agree on a budget and choose one neat, elegant item.
A final word
Giving a tie is like choosing a greeting for someone you value: short, refined and right for the person. If you want to choose in person, visit a Mon Amie showroom and ask a stylist to suggest tie colours that go with the suits the recipient usually wears.