 Wait a second. Do I really need this? Does it look good? Are tie-clips actually still in style? Good questions, and I've got the answers right after this. I'm Brian Sakawa, and you're watching He Spoke Style, where we are dedicated to giving you all the tips, knowledge, and inspiration you need to dress well, have more confidence, and unlock your potential. When Mad Men came out in 2007, it really inspired a resurgence of interest in classic men's style. And one of the things that became a bit of a trend during the show's popularity was the tie-clips. Now, although it was sort of on-trend during that time to wear a tie-clip, tie-clips have been around for a long time, and they're really a classic men's accessory. So in this video, I'm going to cover the purpose of a tie-clip, different styles of tie-clips, proper size, proper placement, what to look for, what to avoid. I'm going to show you one subtle trick to pulling a tie-clip off, and of course, answer the question. Are tie-clips still in style? So what are tie-clips used for? Tie-clips are used to keep your tie attached to the placket of your shirt. It keeps it from blowing in the breeze, accidentally dipping into your coffee or your food, just in general, to hold it in place. And although it might seem obvious, it's important that when you're wearing a tie-clip that it attaches to both your shirt and your tie. Tie-clips come in two styles. You have a pinch clasp and a slide clasp. A pinch clasp, I find to be very secure. It works well with thicker ties. The only drawback to a pinch clasp, in my opinion, is that it doesn't lay as flat and can stick out a little bit when you're wearing one. A slide clasp, on the other hand, is a little more elegant in terms of how it lays. It's a good option for a tie with a standard thickness. If I had to choose, my personal preference is a slide clasp. In terms of tie-clip size or length, it's all about proportion in relation to the width of your tie. A tie-clip should never be wider than your tie. And for me, a tie-clip about three-quarters of the width of your tie is just about perfect. Now the next thing you're probably wondering is where is the right place to position the tie-clip? Now as a general rule of thumb, wearing the tie-clip between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt, discounting the very top collar button is optimal. Again, in terms of proportions, I think this looks the most pleasing and most natural. If it's too high or too low, as you sometimes see, to my eye at least, I feel like it really throws off the balance. A tie bar should be worn perpendicular to your tie like this and not crooked. Now with the caveat that it is perfectly natural and inevitable when you wear a tie-clip, that it's going to move now and then. So if you notice it, just put it back in place, but do not stress out or constantly obsess or fuss over this. In terms of color, I think it's helpful to have both a silver-tone tie-clip and a gold-tone tie-clip to be able to complement whatever outfit you're wearing as well as whatever situation you're wearing that outfit in. For day-to-day stuff, I typically choose silver. And for more formal or elegant evening events, I generally choose gold. Now in terms of style, keep it conservative and avoid novelty tie-clips, mustaches, whales. You should be the focus, not your accessories. Here's a little subtle trick to remember when you're wearing a tie-clip. Now just before you fasten it, pull your tie upward to blouse it slightly. This will add a little bit of depth and visual appeal. It looks more natural and it will also keep you from feeling constricted or like the tie-clip is holding you in place. Whether or not you wear a tie-clip is completely up to you. Does it look good with your outfit? Do you feel comfortable wearing it? If you answered yes to those questions, go for it. Now, are tie-clips still in style? A tie-clip is a timeless and classic men's style accessory. And as a result, whether it's on trend or not, it's a stylish flourish that you can add to a dress-up look. It's also one of my 15 essential men's style accessories. To find out what the other ones are, click on that video right over there.