You don’t need to have watched all seven seasons of “Mad Men” to know what a tie bar can bring to a man’s tailoring. Nor do you need me to tell you how they keep your tie perfectly in place.
What you’re likely looking for is the best tie bars money can buy, and perhaps a bit of advice on how to wear one. So here it goes.
Whether you opt for a minimalistic design or something slightly more showy, the formal accessory should be positioned between the third and fourth buttons of your dress shirt. More importantly, it should never be wider than your tie.
Understood? Now, keep reading as I round up the best tie bars in the business.
Key Takeaways
From wearing a tie to placing a handkerchief in your chest pocket, there are several ways you can tweak your tailoring. For this article, I’ll be looking at the one that’s often overlooked but arguably as powerful as any.
Worn by style icons such as Frank Sinatra, David Beckham, and Nick Wooster, the tie bar is a subtle yet seriously classy accessory that keeps your tie straight and tells the world you’re a man of class.
I found the best tie bars, including Honey Bear’s stainless steel design and a luxury option from Cufflinks Inc, by reaching out to industry experts and poring over hundreds of ratings, reviews, and forums.
Why it’s great: There’s lots to love about this Honey Bear tie bar: It’s affordable, elegant, and only 2.1 inches wide, so you can wear it with pretty much any standard-sized tie. It comes in a variety of colors, but my favorite is the silver-tone design. Not only is it the most timeless, it’s also the easiest to style.
Who is this for? This gets top marks for quality, appearance, and value for money, so it’s an excellent all-rounder that’ll appeal to anyone looking for the best men’s tie bars. You can wear it with a wide range of suits, shirts, and other formal accessories.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you opt for the brushed silver version (my recommendation), then it’s not as shiny as it looks in the pictures.
Material: Stainless steel | Colors: 8 | Length: 2.1”
Why it’s great: You’ll struggle to find a cheaper tie bar that looks as good as this one does. Fixed with a spring fastening that won’t crumple your tie, it’s a simple but stylish suit accessory that looks the part without breaking the bank.
This is simply one of the best tie bars out there. You can choose from two sizes, both of which will fit perfectly onto your choice of neckwear.
Who is this for? If you’re trying out a tie bar for the first time or simply don’t want to spend a fortune, then this is a brilliant budget-friendly option that ticks a lot of boxes.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: I’d say that the black version is more of a shiny pewter color than black.
Material: Metal | Colors: 5 | Length: 2.28 or 1.69”
Why it’s great: Hawson’s tie bar has been reviewed more than 1,000 times, and almost 90% of customers have given it a four-star rating or higher. Guys seem to love its brushed silver appearance, all-round quality, and accessible price tag (as do I).
Who is this for? Suitable for business trips, weddings, and everything in between, this is a sleek and affordable option—especially if you’re not a huge tie bar wearer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Watch your fingers and hold onto your hat; according to customer feedback, the edges of this tie bar can sometimes feel a bit sharp.
Material: Brass | Colors: 2 | Length: 2”
Why it’s great: Ideal for adding a little fun to your formalwear, this novelty tie clip is playful without feeling corny. Handcrafted and polished, it’ll arrive in a lovely presentation box that’ll keep it safe, plus makes it an excellent gift idea.
Who is this for? It’ll be most appealing to those guys who want to inject a bit of personality into their business attire and everyday suits. It’s also a great conversation starter at weddings and business conferences.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It might be one of the best tie clips for men, but the galactic vibe isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s fine.
Material: Brass | Colors: 1 | Length: 2.17”
Why it’s great: For a personal touch, and keeping your tie firmly in place, this customizable tie bar is a winner. You can choose from any letter from the alphabet, and there’s no extra charge. At just under 2 inches, it’s also one of the shorter versions on this list of the best tie bars.
Who is this for? This is one of the best tie bars you can lay your hands on. Whether you buy it for yourself or as a gift, this will add a unique finishing touch to your formal ensemble. It’ll work with all-sized ties and complement a variety of colors and patterns.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Personally, I think it would have been better if you could have added two initials instead of just one.
Material: Copper | Colors: 1 | Length: 1.9”
Why it’s great: A classy addition to your tailored looks, this bar has been made from sterling silver that gives it strength and a beautiful shine. It’s big enough to add your own engraving but won’t hang over your tie.
Who is this for? Looking just as good with patterned ties as it does with plain styles, this will make an excellent wedding or anniversary gift if you’re not looking for the best tie bars for yourself.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The sterling silver construction makes it more expensive. However, it’s worth the extra investment if you ask me.
Material: Sterling silver | Colors: 1 | Length: 2”
Buying Considerations for The Best Tie Bars
Size
Unless you want to look like an amateur, it’s super important that you get the size of your tie bar right. It should never be as wide as, or wider than, your tie. Ideally, you should aim for it to be roughly two thirds as wide as your tie.
Material
The best men’s tie bars come in a variety of styles and materials, including stainless steel, sterling silver, or brass. Each offers varying levels of durability and resistance to tarnishing, which will also have an effect on the price.
Design
Choose a design that best reflects your personal style and complements the rest of your outfit. You may want to keep it uber-simple, try something a little more lavish, or perhaps opt for a style that has a decorative motif.
How We Chose
To find the best tie bars, I started by compiling a list of 20 contenders, based on researching online forums, style guides, and customer reviews, as well as speaking to several trusted voices and using my own experience of working in the formalwear industry.
Once I had a better understanding of what makes a tie bar great, including size, material, and design, I narrowed my options to six standouts and judged them on the criteria below.
Price: Is the tie bar fairly priced? I evaluated the affordability of each tie bar relative to its quality and craftsmanship while ensuring that I picked out options for every budget.
Impact: Do you notice it? Assessing the visual appeal and versatility of each tie bar, I considered how well it complemented different tie styles and outfits while making a statement without overpowering the overall look.
Customer Reviews: By analyzing feedback from customers, I gained a greater insight into factors such as durability, functionality, and overall satisfaction.
Why Trust Us?
Billy Webb is a menswear specialist from the UK with more than 15 years of writing experience. A regular contributor to FashionBeans and a trusted voice in the industry, he has covered everything from hard-wearing denim shirts to scarves every man should own.
Since graduating with a journalism degree, he has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, as well as various Savile Row tailors and experts that have helped sharpen his sartorial skills and make him the perfect person to find the best tie bars around.
Trust us, Billy is the man for the job.
Final Verdict
Wearing a tie bar is one of the most simple but effective style moves in the book, as long as you choose the right one. Affordable, classy, and just the right size, Honey Bear’s version is my go-to whenever I want to flex my menswear mastery.
FAQ
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The best tie clips for men are typically made from either sterling silver or stainless steel. Both offer durability, resistance to tarnishing or rusting, and a sleek aesthetic that complements various tie styles and colors.
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There is no definitive answer. In more formal settings, a tie bar can add a polished touch to your ensemble. However, for more casual affairs, it may not be necessary. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference and the specific context of the situation.
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This will depend on the width of your tie. A tie bar should be roughly two thirds to three quarters the width of your tie. So, if your tie is 3.2 inches, your tie bar should be no wider than 2.4 inches.
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