Choices of Styles for
Classic Mens Ties
There are generally two categories of classic mens ties: the woven ties and the printed ties. Woven ties are, as its name represents, weaved neckties. It incorporates interesting motifs or patterns which are actually weaved by different colored threads against a monotone background to bring out the ties attraction. Instead printed ties are printed patterns or diagrams on the fabric of the tie. The difference in its pattern of a printed and a woven tie can be noticed very easily, and basically it is the weaving process on woven ties that sets this difference. Printed ties can go for more complex diagrams not achievable by woven ties. However, woven classic mens ties are considered the quality ties of choice because of its intricate weaving details as well as projecting a more dressy style. So woven will command a premium over printed ties. Differentiating classic mens ties are the patterns and colors. Whether it is a woven or printed will depend not on the pattern but the process of making it. Just a simple note, a woven tie can also have printed patterns on it and hence considered a hybrid style.
Solid Color
Needless to introduce, the most common type of classic mens ties because of its versatility in matching against mens dress shirts and suits. The solid colored ties depend largely on the color combination with the other ensemble to judge its suitability. So no matter how the patterns are in your dress shirts or whether it is worn with a patterned suit, as long as the solid color tie blends in well it is suitable.
From left:
Burgundy Solid Woven Handmade by Dolce & Gabbana; and dark blue, yellow gold, and gray woven handmade by Raffaello Solids.
Stripes
Originated by the British and worn widely by the British regiments which have a color and pattern combination for each army regiment. So such stripes are also known as regimental stripes. Another group of English people who wear stripes are the public schools students and so another derived name as “Old School” ties.
The English striped classic mens ties usually run downward from the left to the right. This is in the same direction as fastening of men’s suit jacket from left to right. Later the Brooks Brothers introduced the American version in 1920s which runs downwards from the right to the left.
Nowadays, the stripe ties have evolved and undertaken more interesting stripe designs with wider variation of color combinations.
From left:
Ivory based with beige, rust, and tan stripes by Kenzo; Gold based with brown, ivory, and orange stripes by Prochownick; next two by Raffaello are blue based with shades of blue and white stripes, followed by red background with white and plum stripes.
Plaid
These are patterns involving lines or bars crossing each other at right angles creating box-like designs. Intersection by differently scaled lines or more lines creates a deeper effect of dimension compared to those of similar scale lines.
The play of colors on the lines can also draw out a richer effect for the eyes. So plaid classic mens ties can definitely give plain colored dress shirts and suits an added touch of vibrancy. So plaids comparatively would be less dressy than stripes.
From left:
Dark blue based with sky blue and white plaid by Les Copains; Beige, light blue, light brown plaids over sky blue background by Prochownick; lastly, a Valentino brown, red, and yellow plaid tie over gray base.
Geometric
These are patterns that can be small or big that runs throughout the tie but not evenly spaced. Examples of small geometrics are commonly seen in woven ties where patterns of small diamonds, squares, and circles are weaved with interconnection.
The bigger geometrics, on the other hand, can give a more abstract or gaudy design on the ties.
From left:
First two ties from Raffaello Excellence range starting with pink based geometric patterns with woven stripes and the other ivory and pearl colored squarish geometric patterns; Kenzo using big dark green geometric patterns over burgundy.
Dot
This is one of the earliest designs that give a fresh look to classic mens ties. Dressiness of dotted ties diminishes as the size of the dots becomes bigger. Ties with much bigger dots get a trendier look.
The pin-dots ties with its subtleness can combine easily with stripe suits. It has a nice blending effect even though they are highly contrasting in shape.
From left:
Red pin-dots over dark blue by Burberry; Another dark blue tie with closely spaced white pin-dots from Les Copains; Bright orange with white pin-dots by Bagutta; Big black, silver, and white polka-dots by the Raffaello Excellence range.
Foulard
These are evenly spaced geometric patterns or shapes, other than dots, that cover throughout the tie. These are not interconnected and so differentiate from the geometrics.
Foulard designs have evolved as well by designers that created more interesting shapes and patterns over time. Some hybrid are also developed where they are unevenly spaced and give a whole new refreshing feel for classic mens ties as well as when in combination with dress shirts or suits.
From left:
Golden yellow background with brown floral patterns by Ermenegildo Zegna - Napoli collection; Other range of Ermenegildo Zegna are these brown ties with red foulard patterns and ivory based with green floral foulard patterns.
Paisley
These are curved teardrop patterns that run throughout the tie. The origin of paisleys is derived from the Babylonians where it was later spread to India and beyond. The paisleys work similarly as dots where the bigger the designs the less dressy it becomes. So business attire would fit well with those smaller paisleys.
From left:
Hot pink paisleys over dark blue tie by Etro; and paisley over copper background by Ermenegildo Zegna.
Wool
Due wool's texture as well as weight, it creates a very nice winter ornament for mens suits. Popularized by the Italians, the wool mens ties are gaining more recognition for its luxurious combination with winter apparal.
Most of the wool neckties are actually made from worsted cashmere or blended cashmere with silk.
Prada Wool Ties that covers the essential winter colors of black and gray.
Classic mens ties have evolved into many other hybrids over the years as designers tries out various designs. Therefore, most of the current trendy designs are still based on the foundation of these classic styles.
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