Don't be wary of "cheap". If you want new and cheap neckties, listen up. You can get good quality if you know what you want. Do you need a certain width or size? Do you want a readymade discount job or an expensive handmade Italian label? What is off the rack at one shop is different from another.
The first consideration is width as it can make or break your look: not too skinny and not too wide. There are some exceptions, however. Tall or big men like to balance their size with the right tie proportions. Younger men love the look of retro thin ties.
It is a matter of what is in style, what is regular (right now it is 3.75 inches), and what looks right. You don't get the same results from an off-the-rack budget item from a not-too-expensive outlet as you do from posh or expensive one. When measuring, try the dollar test. Fold a bill in half and you have a quick three-inch measuring tape.
When it comes to discerning quality, you have to look at fabric and construction. You have no doubt by now measured the width and length and are ready to look more deeply into fabrication. Good ties are made from silk which has a unique sheen and which ties and drapes masterfully. Synthetics just don't have the same ability.
Manufacturers do vary from time to time, so measurements are not always the same for a "regular" or average size tie. A millimeter here or there won't matter, an inch will. Once you know what looks good on you, this will be your benchmark for future purchases so you can't go wrong.
Next you must always go for a good silk, not a synthetic which will not have the same drape or shine. This is not where to cut corners. Even value ties come in pure silk. Then you want to check the lining between the double or triple folds (triple is a superior type of construction found in only the best, probably imported, ties). A thin wool blend is customary as pure wool has become too expensive. It is a sign of quality first and foremost.
You then have to try to locate the tie's bar tack, a little horizontal stitch on the backside located where the wide end splits to form the tip. This in effect holds the two sides together and ensures that the tie will maintain its shape. It is not the same as the slip stitch, a loose, usually black, thread that hangs the length of the tie inside (not visible at first glance). This extra stitch allows the fabric to move a bit to facilitate easy knotting.
These are but a few of the basics you need to know when buying and wearing neckties. You have three areas of responsibility: buying a good one at a fair price, learning how to tie a basic knot, and selecting the right colors and fabrics to look right for any occasion. You should now feel comfortable with at least the first requirement.
The first consideration is width as it can make or break your look: not too skinny and not too wide. There are some exceptions, however. Tall or big men like to balance their size with the right tie proportions. Younger men love the look of retro thin ties.
It is a matter of what is in style, what is regular (right now it is 3.75 inches), and what looks right. You don't get the same results from an off-the-rack budget item from a not-too-expensive outlet as you do from posh or expensive one. When measuring, try the dollar test. Fold a bill in half and you have a quick three-inch measuring tape.
When it comes to discerning quality, you have to look at fabric and construction. You have no doubt by now measured the width and length and are ready to look more deeply into fabrication. Good ties are made from silk which has a unique sheen and which ties and drapes masterfully. Synthetics just don't have the same ability.
Manufacturers do vary from time to time, so measurements are not always the same for a "regular" or average size tie. A millimeter here or there won't matter, an inch will. Once you know what looks good on you, this will be your benchmark for future purchases so you can't go wrong.
Next you must always go for a good silk, not a synthetic which will not have the same drape or shine. This is not where to cut corners. Even value ties come in pure silk. Then you want to check the lining between the double or triple folds (triple is a superior type of construction found in only the best, probably imported, ties). A thin wool blend is customary as pure wool has become too expensive. It is a sign of quality first and foremost.
You then have to try to locate the tie's bar tack, a little horizontal stitch on the backside located where the wide end splits to form the tip. This in effect holds the two sides together and ensures that the tie will maintain its shape. It is not the same as the slip stitch, a loose, usually black, thread that hangs the length of the tie inside (not visible at first glance). This extra stitch allows the fabric to move a bit to facilitate easy knotting.
These are but a few of the basics you need to know when buying and wearing neckties. You have three areas of responsibility: buying a good one at a fair price, learning how to tie a basic knot, and selecting the right colors and fabrics to look right for any occasion. You should now feel comfortable with at least the first requirement.
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