Tie question

[matei]

Hello all,

Many moons ago someone (BT perhaps?) posted about removing the stiff lining from modern ties to give them a more floppy feel.

What is the purpose of said lining?

None of my vintage ties (save for one) have any sort of lining. I actually prefer the floppiness now. Most modern ties seem to be too big and stiff, almost cartoonish.

 

[Feraud]

I assume the purpose of the lining is to add stiffness so the tie will hold it's shape. The weight might also keep the tie from blowing in a light wind.

I will suggest that big, stiff ties are certainly not modern. I have seen Victorian and early 20th Century photos of well dressed men whose ties give off a very stiff and uncomfortable look.

 

[jake_fink]

Stiffer, thicker ties were made with folded silk and were expensive and luxurious. Lining the tie with filler is less expensive than folding silk 5 or 7 times. I don't know when the stiffer tie came into fashion, or when the silk began to be folded. maybe Marc Chevalier can help.

 

[matei]

Thanks guys.

The vintage ('30s/'40s) ties do tend to blow about in the wind.

Thanks for pointing out the original big stiff ties. I don't think I would've like to wear them either.

 

[herringbonekid]

i prefer the lighter unlined 30s ties as they bend and drape with you instead of stiffly lying ACROSS you as modern ties do.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

The only drawback to ties from the 30s and 40s is that you cannot do as many knots with them. They simply are not substantial enough to do a full Windsor, which is my preferred knot.

Personally, I wear vintage ties casually. For the office, nothing beats a big chunky Brooks Brothers tie that I can tie many different ways.

 

[Mojave Jack]

The only drawback to ties from the 30s and 40s is that you cannot do as many knots with them. They simply are not substantial enough to do a full Windsor, which is my preferred knot.

Personally, I wear vintage ties casually. For the office, nothing beats a big chunky Brooks Brothers tie that I can tie many different ways.

My Casablanca-inspired zebra striped tie is just way too thick, though. It's pure silk, but is lined, apparently, with extra-thick burlap or an old army blanket. Once these things are taken apart, though, how hard is it to stitch it back together? It look slike it's just whip-stitched, but I'm sure it's harder than it looks!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Maybe Marc Chevalier can help.

Did someone call my name?

From what I've seen, ties became thicker and stiffer in the early 1960s. The Italians started it, the British ran with it (and widened the dimensions greatly), and the Americans followed suit.

.

 

[BellyTank]

Picture the businessman on the street today- low waisted pants and a tie which resembles a 'tie shape' made of cardboard, which hangs below his (already)too low waistline. The effect looks ridiculous- the short legs/long torso look- and those stiff, too-long ties seem to just overtake a look.

I have taken the stuffing out of a modern, striped silk tie and it is possible to make a tiny knot and have a better flare from the knot to the blade of the tie. Anyone who can sew can do the job- it just needs a few hand stitches.

There's a picture of me in a linen suit with the navy/red/white stripe tie(in question) somewhere on this board.


B
T

 

[skyvue]

I'm reviving this thread with a different necktie question:

When did ties first begin to carry those horizontal labels they all have now, the ones through which most guys slip the narrow end of the tie?

I'm wondering if the presence (or absence) of said label is a reliable feature to consider in estimating the age of a given tie.

 

[dhermann1]

I think they started in the 70's or late 60's. I use that feature, plus the label being at the tip of the tie, as an indicator for age, as well as the over all look and shape.