Steps

Look at the lining of the tie. The purpose of the lining is to make tying the tie easier and to prevent it from wrinkling. The lining should be made from 100 percent wool. The more gold bars on the lining, the heavier the lining.
Feel and look at the fabric of the tie. If you're after silk (the ideal tie fabric), make sure it is by feeling it. Silk is smooth; other fabrics mimicking silk tend to feel brittle. A quality tie will be made from three pieces of fabric, while a cheaper one will be made from only two.
Check for hand rolling: A hand-rolled and hand-stitched hem keeps a much better shape than a machine-made one.
Look for the slip stitch. This can be pulled to gather the tie together. This helps to maintain the shape of the tie.
Note the bar tack. This is the piece that supplements the slip stitch and keeps the two ends of the tie from separating.

For a classic look, choose a width that corresponds to the width of your jacket’s lapel.
A tie should not be too loose or too tight; both ends of the spectrum are incredibly uncomfortable, so be sure it fits well around your neck.

A solid tie is the most versatile of all neckties because it is appropriate with everything.
A dark tie is appropriate for business wear. Pairing it with a khaki or blue shirt evokes military uniform authority.[3]
A black tie goes with everything and is suitable for all occasions from funerals to work. It's also ideal for hiding stains.
Younger men, or men living in warmer climates, tend to prefer colorful ties (and shirts).[4]
Look for a tie that goes well with your dress shirt. This tie will be kept for best. Make sure it has a nice balance or color to it so that it looks good.

Repeat pattern: This is the most common style of tie and includes paisley, shapes, animals, workplace logos, rope patterns, and more.
Dots: The smaller the dot on the tie, the more formal the tie is. Be wary of large polka-dots because these can come across as clown-like.
Striped: These are known as rep or regimental ties. They originated in the need to display the colors of British clubs or army regiments. In Britain, the stripes run from high left to low right, while in America, the stripes run from high right to low left. Just to be different, of course.
Woven: A woven tie is usually produced only in one color. The weave texture is the pattern. One example is silk grenadine. Woven silk ties are considered formal and conservative.
Checks: Checked ties make a bold statement. This can be toned down however, with the addition of a checked shirt or tones that match up with the checkers

Tips

Seek to have at least one tie that defines you.
If you wear a striped tie and striped shirt, make sure the stripes are different sizes. Avoid mixing patterns that are too similar. For example, a thin-striped shirt should be accompanied by a bold-striped tie.
If wearing a heavier shirt, such as suede or corduroy, wear an equally heavier fabric or textured tie, preferably in a dark color. This can come across as very professional or academic.
Try to avoid wearing pattern on pattern. Exceptions are sometimes if one pattern is very subtle, and the other pattern is bold, drawing attention away from the subtle pattern.
Did you know? The French popularized the necktie in the 17th century after seeing it on Croatian soldiers during the Thirty Years War.
Ties can also be worn as belts, headbands, pocket squares and a watchband. In a pinch they can also be used as a baggage strap, a tourniquet or arm sling, a loincloth, a lanyard, and a whole lot of craft uses when they're no longer wanted.
Knit ties should not be hung; they should rolled up like a pair of socks because this prevents them from stretching.

Warnings

Avoid novelty ties — though they can provide a festive look, they’re more likely to be distracting.
Be careful when purchasing ties from mail order. They may not be of the best quality.