Candlelight, a theatre bar and a restaurant with the lamps turned low all flatter dark cloth and expose everything else. This pairing makes two decisions for you: midnight blue at the neck, white at the pocket. Neither needs defending after eight o'clock.

• Tie: 80% Wool, 20% Cashmere Knit
• 150cm in Length, 8cm Blade, Pointed Tip
• Handmade in Italy
• Dry Clean Only
• Pocket Square: 100% Irish Linen
• 33cm x 33cm, Hand Rolled
• Dry Clean Only

ABOUT THIS PAIRING

Tailors have long argued that midnight blue reads blacker than black under artificial light, which is how it earned its place in evening dressing. The tie is knitted in Italy from 80% wool and 20% cashmere. The knit absorbs light and gives no shine, so the colour shows as depth. The cashmere softens the hand, the wool holds the shape, and the pointed tip, an uncommon detail on a knitted tie, gives the blade a sharp finish where most knits end square.

The pocket square is Irish linen, hand rolled and plain white. Linen has a clean, dry brightness that looks freshly pressed under evening light, where silk tends to throw the light back. At 33cm square it fills a breast pocket without crowding it.

Dinner is mostly conducted sitting down, so what people see of you is a shirt front, a tie and a few centimetres of pocket. Here that comes to a dark tie with no pattern and a white edge above it. Nothing needs reading from across the table.

HOW TO STYLE THIS PAIRING

A white linen square is the traditional companion to a dinner jacket, and it sits just as well with a dark suit in navy, charcoal or black. Choose a white shirt in smooth poplin or a fine twill, so the tie is the only texture near the collar. Fold the linen flat with a straight top edge and let about a centimetre show. Our How To Fold Guide takes you through it step by step.

WATCH HOW OUR TIES ARE MADE

CREATING THE PERFECT POCKET SQUARE

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Questions? If you have any questions for us regarding any aspect of our products, or just need some tips, then please don't hesitate to get in touch at info@rampleyandco.com