A few weeks ago a friend of mine asked me how to wear a suit, like really wear a suit, so as to stand out on the streets of Central.

This got me thinking about the smaller details of men’s dressing, those small elements that elevate clothing into charisma.

Anyone can buy a great suit. We live in a city stitched-up with tailors, luxury fashion houses and high-street heroes offering us the latest in sartorial essentials. While a well-cut suit in quality fabrics will always look and feel great, what can you do to stand out for all the right reasons?

A suit is essentially designed as an office uniform, ensuring that everyone looks similar and on-brand.

Just like at school, there are men out there who like to stand out from the pack, who fancy injecting some of their own personality into their work attire.

One of the most classy ways to rebel is the retro-luxe clamp of a tie clip. Not only does this small item conveniently hold your tie neatly in place, but it also has the power to lift an outfit by creating a focal point, in the same way jewellery does for women.

Here are some rules that I have learnt along the way about the tie clip:

1. A tie clip should be worn between the third and fourth buttons.

2. Your tie clip should not be wider than your tie.

3. It should not just clip the front of the tie to the back. It clips the whole tie to the placket of the shirt.

4. For a smart polished look wear your tie clip straight across. For those a little more adventurous position it at angle pointing down and pull the top part of the tie up and through the clip so that the tie gathers.

Here is an example courtesy of a style guru of mine, Nick Wooster (above)

Ties and tie clips aren’t just for suits. I love this image below. Chinos, a shirt and smart/casual shoes.

Also great teamed with a denim shirt and pea coat…

Adding the tie and the tie clip really transforms these from standard outfits to something much more.

These are just some images to get you started. Keep it modern, keep it simple you can’t go wrong with understated designs and in gold or silver.

My own favourite is a brushed gold bar by Dunhill, which I like to wear at an angle with a knitted silk tie. While my friend is experimenting with his slightly more ‘disruptive’ workplace wardrobe, I have lent him a retro clip I picked up a while ago. He tells me he feels like a gentleman, and isn’t that what charisma should look like?