Pleated Ties

[Marc Chevalier]

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And so they did ... for a few years, at least.


Pleated neckties were born around 1950. Known (along with pin-up ties) as "exotics", their heyday was in the mid-'50s. By the early '60s, however, Dame Fashion was smiling on ties too narrow to hold pleats. And that, as they say, was that.

Never a big hit, vintage pleated ties are somewhat difficult to find today.




Below is an early example in woven rayon from about 1950. Note that it has six pleats:

And here is another, a brocade, from about 1953. Slightly narrower than its earlier cousin, it has only four pleats:

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Hey now, that's a cool look!

I've never seen it before. Looks like multiple ties upon ties. Hope it makes a comeback somehow.

 

[Nathan Flowers]

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My dad has one that is definitely 50's, but it's really ugly.

 

[Sefton]

Even though they're from the 50s they really have something of art deco about them. I don't think I've ever seen a tie like that before. Interesting post.

 

[Lauren]

That first one is absolutely beautiful.

 

[Mycroft]

Cool, but they make me nauseous with the repeating pattern aound and around.

 

[herringbonekid]

the tiered 'fan' effect is very deco , though personally i find them too fussy.

 

[Mojave Jack]

How in the world...

..do you tie those things?! Do they tie just like a regular tie?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Never thought of that.

Maybe they came in a clip on version?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

..do you tie those things?! Do they tie just like a regular tie?

Yes, they do. And the secret is ... not all of the tie is pleated. Above a certain point, it's smooth. You tie the knot with the smooth part. The knot should form just above where the pleats stop. See below:

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I seriously thought about buying a few of these a couple of days ago (Scotrace - in the store i told you about). They were in my pile of ties - buck a piece.

I just couldn't do it to myself. Horrid things. A terrible style that rightly died a death. Give me 30s - with moth holes & sweat stains - any day of the week.

bk :kick:

 

[Zach R.]

Any chance they are still there?

 

[adamgottschalk]

What do folks think of pleated ties? I have a blue one that's got three horizontal pleats with visible stitching about 3/4 of the way to the top of the tie. I haven't worn it yet, but I like it. I found this pink one on eBay, going for way too much ($50 Buy it Now), but I like this a great deal:

What do others think?

 

[The Wingnut]

Wow...never seen that before! That one looks very streamline / moderne. Not a fan of the color, but in the right fabric and shade, it would be a killer look...

 

[jamespowers]

I have two hanging around here some place. They are interesting ties. I wear them on occassion.

Regards,

J

 

[Paisley]

That one looks very streamline / moderne.

Art deco comes to mind.

 

[reetpleat]

I have seen and owned a few fifties ones. Very cool, but only good with a fifties outfit for me. I assumed they were not done in the 40s. But then I found one that was wider and more late 40s. I will dig it out and post a pic.

I remember about fifteen years ago reading an article about some guy who was making them, and the article said it had nver been done before. Then I found a few vintage ones. Don't believe everything you read.

 

[Feraud]

I would wear it!

 

[jamespowers]

I remember about fifteen years ago reading an article about some guy who was making them, and the article said it had nver been done before. Then I found a few vintage ones. Don't believe everything you read.

By now, everything has been done before.

 

[melankomas]

i rather like pleated ties, actually. i haven't any, but i do admire them. i've seen a few that were, to be kind, disastrous, but they can be quite nice.