A tie clip should sit horizontally between the third and fourth shirt buttons from the top, fastening both your tie and the shirt placket together so the tie stays neatly in place.

Ideal placement

  • Aim for the “sweet spot” halfway between the tie knot and the top button of your jacket, usually between the 3rd and 4th buttons on your dress shirt.
  • Placing it lower risks hiding it behind a buttoned jacket, while placing it higher looks awkward and lets the tie move too much.

How to wear it correctly

  • Clip through three layers: the front of the tie, the back of the tie, and the shirt placket, so it actually holds the tie in place instead of just decorating it.
  • Keep the clip straight and level, not angled, for a clean, sharp look.

Size and style tips

  • The clip should be shorter than the width of the tie, typically covering about half to three‑quarters of the tie’s width so it doesn’t hang over the edge.
  • Many modern guides treat the tie clip as a subtle accent: simple silver or gold for formal looks, or character pieces (symbols, colors, novelty designs) for more relaxed outfits.

Little “rules” people debate

  • Some classic enthusiasts prefer the clip slightly lower for maximum function, while more fashion‑forward guides stick firmly to the high, visible placement between buttons three and four.
  • With a waistcoat or vest, some consider a tie clip redundant because the vest already holds the tie down, so many skip it in that case.

TL;DR: Put the tie clip straight across your tie, between the 3rd and 4th shirt buttons, clipping tie and shirt together; keep it slightly shorter than the tie’s width for a sharp, balanced look.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.