The Silk Tie - The Finishing Touch

Mon, 19 Jul 10

No clothing accessory denotes style better than the silk tie. For a moderate amount of fabric there are a lot of special qualities that come from this piece. The tie lends sophistication and style to any man, allowing them to show off their fashion coordination skills and express individuality.

The history of the tie dates back centuries ago originally known as the cravat, which has evolved over time to become the most common mens clothing accessory.  No matter how popular and modernised it has become; the silk tie will always hold a special ‘traditional’ value that every wearer gets to experience.

This little piece of fabric is more than just decorative silk. In most cases it is meticulously crafted to create a small piece of accessory art. This cannot be said about all ties – like anything the range of quality can vary considerably. There are five main factors to consider when looking for top quality:

1. Necktie Fabric – The face fabric can have different percentages of silk. 100% silk fabric ties shape holds better than blends or pure polyester ties. A silk and linen or cotton blend would also be considered as a good quality alternative to a pure silk tie.
2. Tie Lining – Like the face fabric, the higher the percentage of silk the better.
3. Necktie Lining – This refers to the lining inside the face and the outer lining on the back of the tie. Wool linings are very popular. The higher the percentage and quality of the wool the better. The ultimate high end tie will have a pure silk necktie lining inside and out.
4. Silk Tie Fabric Density – The quality of all fabrics is always determined by its thread count. The higher the count, the higher the density. Expensive high density ties have a thread count of approximately 1200 while the average tie has around 960.
5. Necktie Workmanship – The perfect cut tie would reflect top workmanship symmetrical on both sides. Other important details are the silk dying quality and a tidy and crease free surface.

While the silk tie impresses with its visual appeal and express one’s personality.  It is an essential accessory for any formal occasion, while in a business setting the tie screams success. It is the centrepiece of a man’s appearance, drawing the eye towards the wearers face. It nicely hides the shirt buttons and brings the entire outfit together in an elegant way. You can be sure that this little masterpiece worn around the neck will never fade out of style.