What's Sexy Now - Ties

There are a great many things that are inherently masculine that women find attractive. One of them is a man in a suit that can rock a beautiful tie. It's elegant, cool and sexy - not to mention versatile, wink! Who hasn't toyed with a little playfulness in the bedroom with a tie?

Tom Ford said "A tie can accentuate the natural V of a man's body, making a man look more masculine and in general more powerful." Yes it does. And that's just the half of it. I find myself noticing men with outstanding ties. Solid or patterned, silky or textured, artsy or reserved, ties are the mark of a man's individuality. Ties tell a story. It's an impression made deliberately. It's a nod to "details matter". A pocket square or bow tie works too. Yes, pocket squares and bow ties are cool right now. 

Where to find them? They're everywhere and the designers are all over the place in their individual styles. Barney's has a good selection, even on-line. The jewel tone solids in silk, the color blocked and stripes in fresh combinations, the strong but soft wool or knit, the whimsical and artistic patterns, all look sharp. They're like a piece of art. Carefully chosen, they can feel modern, stylish and confident - all very sexy adjectives that have me considering the wearer's personality. Oh, and absolutely size matters. You don't want to look like an extra in "American Hustle". Contemporary and slim, not wide or skinny.

Getting the shirt right is important. Crisp and formal, relaxed a bit, sporty-stylish, even a washed and worn chambray shirt - they're all great. Pair with a cardigan or leather jacket to mix things up, loose and easy. Avoid those Euro ones with the stiff oversize collars; there's nothing sexy about those.

Here are some tips from GQ that help narrow things down a bit when choosing a tie.

• If patterns and colors confuse you, don't sweat it. A solid dark tie with a white or light-color shirt is a can't-miss combo.
•  Match your ties to your suiting fabrics— cotton ties with cotton suits in summer, wool ties with wool suits in winter.
• It's official, bow ties are cool.
• "There are very few ties that would work as well on Cary Grant as they would on the Beatles, but the black silk knit does, because it's both dressy and casual. We consider it the go-to seasonless tie; it adds lift to whatever you're wearing, no matter who you are."—Lisa Cohen, GQ senior fashion editor 

 Go on - update your look, get their attention and bask in the afterglow.