Tie Tips

1 As the tie is worn at eye-level and in the centre of your body, it is the most eye-catching piece of your ensemble.

2 Always buy your suit first, then a tie and then the shirt. Now you have more options for the tie, instead of restricting it to match your suit and shirt.

3 The three classic ties you need to own are: a diagonally striped one (in blue, red or maroon), a small polka dotted one and one in self texture.

4 Never wash your tie, or even dry clean it; spot clean a stain. A tie is made up of three fabrics — silk, terry wool (on the inside) and a synthetic base — all of which have different shrinking rates. Washing or dry cleaning will spoil its shape.

5 The tie can be matched to the shirt or suit; all three must be from the same colour family for formal occasions.

6 Tone-on-tone ties are best suited to formal social events, such as wedding receptions. The tie should be the same colour as your shirt (or the closest hue) with a self detail such as an interesting weave or paisleys.

7 Polka-dotted, diagonally striped and ties with small motifs are best for work.

8 Contrast a black suit with a grey shirt and a red or maroon tie. A grey suit can be worn with a light blue shirt and a dark blue or indigo tie. Wear a neutral coloured shirt with a navy blue suit and a blue, black, red or maroon tie.

9 A bright yellow tie must be restricted to a white shirt, but any coloured jacket will do.

10 A soldier cut tie — with a symmetrical taper — comes out with more body from the knot. This makes it more suited to threepiece suits. Use the four-in-handknot so that the knot isn’t bulky.

11 A bottle shaped tie suits most corporate wear and should be tied in a Windsor or half-Windsor knot for body.

12 Slim, straight cut ties, in experimental textures such as knits suit young, casual dressers. You can wear it with a short-sleeved shirt. Ideally, wear it loose or askew with the top button of the shirt open.

13 Novelty ties shaped like a bottle or guitar and with motifs such as cars or hearts are great for working holidays or uniforms.

EAT MORE, WEIGH LESS

Too good to be true? Try these foods to whittle down your waist.

1
SARDINES:

They are high in protein and omega-3 fats, which shifts flab while maintaining muscle tone and healthy skin. Also, Leptin, the protein fish contains, controls your appetite.

Eat more:

Try a lunchtime sardine melt. Mix sardines with onion, pepper and parsley and spread on a French stick. Sprinkle with grated low-fat Cheddar or Parmesan and grill.


2
EGGS:

Women on a low-cal diet who ate an egg each morning lost twice as many kilos as those who had cereal, according to a recent study.

Eat more:

A poached egg on toast offers a balanced start to the day and egg sandwiches, mixed with tuna, not mayo, are a great lunch choice.


3

OATS:

They’re one of the most filling foods and unlike carbs have little impact on your blood sugar. They’re rich in soluble fibre, which has an anti-bloating effect and can lower cholesterol.

Eat more:

Try a Swiss dish known as bircher. Mix a little cold semiskimmed milk or low-fat yoghurt with twotbsp of oats, grated apple, honey to taste and a handful of chopped almonds.

4
CHILLIES:

Spicing up meals can kick start a sluggish metabolism. This is thanks to the compound capsaicin which has a ‘thermogenic effect’ that causes the body to burn more fat for 20 minutes after you eat them.

Eat more:

Freshly chopped red chillies add a kick to salads or stir-fries, while half a teaspoon is enough to heat up sauces, soups or stews.

5
BROCCOLI:

This contains antioxidants which help beat cellulite. Fat cells on the thighs are surrounded by a network of tissue known as the septa. When fat pushes through this, we get the dreaded dimpling. Nutrients in green veggies increase the strength of the septa, so fat cells stay beneath the surface.

Eat more:

Steam and eat once a day with your evening meal. Or stir-fry with sliced garlic, sesame oil and a splash of soy sauce.