The Lab Archives

One of the biggest mistakes guys make is trying to match their socks to their shoes. Instead, aim to match socks to your trousers. When socks and shoes are too similar, the transition can look muddy or bland. But by matching socks to pants, you create a seamless “bridge” of fabric that lets your shoes stand out naturally. Think About Your Whole Outfit Your socks don’t exist in isolation — they’re part of your overall look. So when choosing sock colours, draw from your wider palette: maybe the hue of your jacket, shirt, pocket square, or even a subtle lining detail. Use colours that harmonise with or complement those pieces. This ensures your lower-half feels connected to the rest of your outfit — not an afterthought.  That said: avoid a fully monochromatic lower half (e.g. black socks + black pants + black shoes) unless you’re purposely going for a formal, uniform look.  Colours, Patterns and Textures — Simple Tools for Smart Style Colour Choices Matter Tonal colours — different shades of the same hue — are a safe and polished bet, especially for formal outfits.  Complementary or contrasting colours can add personality, but they must harmonize with the rest of your outfit. For instance: navy pants with socks carrying a hint of complementary colour to shoes or accessories. Patterned Socks Can Work — But Subtly Solid socks are fine, but patterned ones (stripes, two-tones, small motifs) often add depth and interest — especially when your trousers and shoes stay classic. If you go for patterns, let one of the colours in the sock match your pants, and use the other as a subtle accent.  Texture Adds Depth (When You Want It) If your trousers and socks share a similar colour, a variation in texture — e.g. cotton vs wool, ribbed vs smooth — can help break up the visual flow and add subtle sophistication.  Quick Go-To Combos Navy trousers → navy-toned or slightly lighter/darker socks. Add warm brown shoes for a refined contrast.  Gray trousers → tonal grey socks, or grey with a subtle accent (e.g. a hint of pink or blue), paired with black or dark-brown shoes.  Khaki or earth-toned pants → earthy-tone socks (olive, tan, brown) and brown leather shoes — ideal for a casual, versatile look.  The secret to smart sock-shoe-trouser combinations is thinking like a stylist. Socks should never be an afterthought — they’re a subtle but powerful junction between trousers and shoes. Match them with your trousers, consider your overall colour palette, and don’t be afraid of gentle accents in colour, pattern, or texture. The result? A polished, cohesive look that feels effortless.  

Whether you’re stepping into a black-tie event or simply dressing to impress, knowing how to tie one makes all the difference. At Suit Lab, we think your knot should match your polish. Let’s walk through how to do it with confidence. Step 1: Choose the Right Length Begin with the tie resting flat around your neck so it sits comfortably. The side on your non-dominant hand (left side for most) should hang slightly longer than the other. This gives you good length to work with when forming the knot.  Step 2: Cross and Loop  Take the longer end and cross it over the shorter end. Then bring that longer end underneath and through the neck loop. This forms the foundational knot. At this stage your two ends should be roughly the same length — that’s your measure for balance. Step 3: Form the First Loop Fold the end that remains on your dominant side (right hand side if you’re right-handed) to create a loop and rest it against your collar. Little thumb or finger behind it helps you guide the loop. You’re starting to shape the bow. Step 4: Bring the Other End Through Take the other end and bring it in front, over the loop you just created. You’re now building the opposite side of the bow. This stage begins to define the shape and symmetry of your tie. Step 5: Find the Hole & Insert the Fold With both ends in place, you’ll notice a small opening (a “hole”) behind the front of the knot assembly. Take the remaining folded end from Step 4 and thread it through that hole. This is where the bow tie really comes together. Step 6: Tighten and Adjust Once the folded end is through the hole, you’ll see the classic bow shape. Use your fingers to adjust: pull on the loops to tighten, then adjust the ends and centres so everything looks even and sits properly. A few tweaks here make the difference between “pre-tied” and “sharp custom knot.”  Step 7: Final Touches Fold down your collar, bring the tie out from underneath the collar, and give it a final adjustment in front of the mirror. Slight asymmetry is okay—it signals that you tied it yourself. This is the hallmark of genuine style. A self-tied bow tie communicates craftsmanship and attention to detail. While pre-tied or clip-ons are convenient, they often look perfect — and thus artificial. A hand-tied knot has subtle variation and presence, especially under a sharp tuxedo or evening jacket.