A Red Tie as a Power Tie

Generally, red is a very bold color and when men wear red ties, it automatically strikes fascination for most people. This color catches attention and makes the onlooker draw and focus on the person wearing the tie. For this reason, they are called power ties.



There are different underlying meanings behind the color red, mostly based on the cultural views. Two of the most famous, yet contrasting views are from the Western and Eastern countries. In the West, red is associated with evil, sin, jealousy, and blood. An angry person is said to be "seeing red", and "red light district" describes an area were prostitution is rampant. On the other hand, the Eastern Chinese culture red is attributed to positive things such as power, money, good luck, and fertility.



As globalization prospers, these two global worlds merge to end up associating red with moving and complex color meanings. As a result, when people see a man in red ties, they think of him as someone with power and a certain degree of ruthlessness. There is an implication that such a man means business and has the will power to achieve goals in whatever way.



If you are to wear a red tie, think of the image that will be associated with you. As you shop around, you will surely see a myriad of red color shades in plains and prints. Your color shade choice will determine the look that you will go for, so be extra careful and well decided before buying one.



If you want to go for an understated look, a wool tie in a rich burgundy color suits best. Such a shade gives an earthy look while still looking sumptuous. The classic silk red tie is more powerful as it reflects light, giving the tie a three-dimensional look. For the conservative side, geometric, stripes, and patterned ones are good options.



Once you have already decided on the type of red tie you would want to express yourself with, matching it with shirts is another level of concern. Because these ties are powerful, it is important to wear them along with plain white shirts. Remember to always keep the focus on the tie, not on the shirt. However, a bolder and more daring shirt color choice would be black; it will create a mysterious, darker look.