When men dress for success ties are a must. But do you know how many ties you should own? Which style is best? Which color goes with what? This small piece of your ensemble can cause such anxiety. Why? Though it can be argued that styles change, the traditional suit is really quite simple. It's the tie, that small accent piece, that really completes the look. It says a lot about who you are and where you're going. Because it sits front and center, right below your face, and because it follows the direct line of your body, it's one of the first things eyes are drawn to, so your choice of tie becomes crucial to the perception others have of you. Choose the wrong tie and you make the wrong statement, which is why choosing a tie can become a monumental decision.

To simplify dressing for success, mmake note of these three keys to identifying which ties to buy for your wardrobe so you always have the right tie for every occasion.

1. Choose colors and patterns that will work with most suits and shirts. Dark blues, reds, black and gray are always good base colors for any tie. Choose a tie with a contrasting color in the pattern within good taste. In the pictures below, the first tie is dark blue with a brown pattern. The colors work well together but take the same dark brown pattern and place it on a gray tie and it won't work. Feel overwhelmed by color combinations? Here's a great rule of thumb ... If you think it might not look good, don't buy it ... no matter what the salesperson says. At the end of the day you have to "own" that tie and everything it says about you so make sure you buy what you're comfortable wearing. The basic patterns you'll want to have are one tie with dots, two to three with stripes, one plaid and a gingham or paisley tie.

2. Choose ties that are stylish with a professional look. Tie lengths and widths vary depending on fashion trends. Currently we're seeing the tip of the tie touching the top of your belt buckle. If your shirt is showing in between the top of your pants and the bottom of your tie, you need to re-tie it. Today's widths are between 3 1/2 and 4 inches. Again though, you need to go with your gut. If the tie looks a little on the "lean" side to you, then it's going to sit in your closet and be a waste of money. Don't buy it. If you're in the market for new ties, first go to lunch at a local restaurant and people watch. This will give you an idea of what others are wearing. Eventually you'll train your eye to recognize what looks good and what doesn't. You'll also be able to differentiate fads from the classics. Last year, ties with a base color of light shiny purple were very popular, this year, not so much. Remember, fads or trends are created on purpose by the fashion industry to ensure new business every year, which is why they fade. The classics, however, will always be in style. Want to own something on the trendy side? If your business isn't entertainment or fashion, one trendy tie in your closet per season is more than enough.

3. Choose ties of a quality of material. When you buy a tie, you make an investment in yourself.  It's what people see first. It's not the place to scrimp! You'll want to note how the tie lays and what material it's made from. Silk ties typically last longer and lay much better than the polyester or satin which may begin to show fraying and noticeable threads. When in doubt ask a salesperson to give you some samples. You can compare the prices ranges and material and durability of each tie. For high quality with lower prices shop sales. Basic ties will still be there. It's only the trendy that may have sold out completely.

One final word of advice. Don't keep a tie in your closet beyond it's expiration date. If it's looking more used than not, has lost it's luster, has fallen out of style on width, it's time to donate.