55% of our first impression of someone is communicated by their appearance. While the days of the necktie being an essential part of the daily routine may be over, every man should have one in his wardrobe, and what that tie looks like says a lot about his personality and status.

The role of the tie has evolved over the years, and it's now a tool to communicate your personal style as much as it is to fulfil a dress code. While there are plenty of unique ties to buy off the hanger, nothing’s going to communicate your personality as well as a tie you’ve designed yourself.

Make Your Own

You’ll need some basic sewing skills to make your own necktie from scratch, but with an old tie to use as a template and a sewing machine to do the hard work, even a beginner can create an accessory to communicate their personality. Stiff cotton works the best, but you can choose any fabric you like.

Shop around online, visit a fabric store or pick up a vintage garment and use the material from that. First you’ll need to pick apart your template tie so that you’re left with one long strip - pay attention to the folds and stitches you’ll need to recreate in your new tie (it might be a good idea to take photos).

Pin the old tie onto your new fabric and cut around it to create the new tie. Then copy all the folds from the original tie and iron them down firmly before using a sewing machine to stitch along the lines.

You could do this by hand, but you’ll obtain a more professional effect and a more secure stitch with a machine. It might take a few attempts before you create something you’re truly happy with, but making your own tie is a sure way to end up with an accessory that is unique to you.

Outsource The Job

If you’re not confident about your sewing skills or you just don’t have the time for a full-blown project, you can add a unique accessory to your wardrobe by creating a custom tie with a specialist company.

A number of online retailers now specialize in custom made neckties, allowing you to choose the fabric, color and pattern of your garment. Some companies even enable you to upload your own design, so you can be sure of a one-of-a-kind piece. This approach puts more fabrics at your disposal, so if it’s a silk tie you’re after, a custom-made tie might be the best option for you.

Most of us don’t need to wear a necktie day-in, day-out in the modern world, but having one on hand is a must for all men, and when approached correctly, it can communicate a lot about your personality.

By designing your own tie, you can be sure you have a powerful accessory that no one else has, and really make those first impressions count.