>> Our Tie Brands
Simon Carter – Simon carter have developed a strong reputation for unique ties that offer quality and individuality
Duchamp-London – Duchamp’s tie range makes use of dramatic colour, and highly original and contemporary designs. Hand made in England from 100% silk cloth, their tie fabrics are exclusive to Duchamp and woven from the finest silk yarns available at the best mills in Italy and England. The blade is a generous 9.5cm in width and the weight of lining allows for an easy knot.
>> Styles of Ties
Ties come in many different colours and patterns, although the majority are the same width and length. We have a large range of ties that will suit every personality and occasion, from the office to weddings to dinner parties. Ties can be split up into four distinct designs; stripes, paisley, geometric and floral.
Striped ties were influenced by the regimental army ties during the first world war. They offer the opportunity to use bold colour partnerships, and are associated with membership to clubs and societies. A striped tie is bold and dynamic, and works well for all occasions. Complementary colours are often used in striped ties to create a striking look, such as gold and blue, or yellow and purple.
The paisley pattern is a droplet shaped motif that originated in Persia, but whose name derives from the town of Paisley in Scotland. The design is a convergence of a stylised floral spray and a cypress tree. The Paisley pattern was made very popular by the Beatles, as John Lennon had his Rolls Royce decorated with the pattern in 1967.
The Power Tie
A tie that sets itself apart from the pack, suggesting an underlying confidence and power
Co-ordinating ties with shirts
- Repeat colours – to ensure the colour of your tie blends with your shirt, look for similar colours in both. Most ties have a dominant colour and various minor colours. A good strategy is to repeat one of the minor colours in your tie as your main shirt colour. If the colours in the tie go well with each other, then so will your shirt.
- Use tones of colour – why not try using different shades of the same colour. If your shirt is a light blue, pick a tie that has dark blue as its dominant colour.
- Complementary colours – For a dramatic effect, pick complementary colours for your shirt and tie; blue and pink, purple and green, gold and purple
- Combining patterns – if you are going to pair up a patterned tie with a patterned shirt, make sure that they have very different weights of pattern.
>> History of Ties
Men have been tying a piece of cloth around their neck as far back as the ancient Egyptians. This garment was considered very important to the ancient Egyptians because it demonstrated their social status within the community. Neckwear was also used by the Roman Empire and by ancient China. The modern necktie though wasn’t invented until the Thirty Years war (1618 to 1648). The Croatian mercenaries who worked in French service wore a knotted neckerchief that was traditional to their native Croatia. This neckerchief caused a lot of interest amongst the Parisiens and started a fashion craze amongst the Europeans. Men began to wear cravats around their necks which took a long time to tie and arrange and often came undone, but were immensely popular.
The arrival of the industrial revolution created the need for a necktie that was easy to tie, comfortable and lasted the whole day. Consequently the modern necktie was born. The modern tie was nicknamed the ‘four in hand’ because the knot looked like the reigns of the four horse carriage used by the British upper class. The Ascot tie was considered very fashionable when going to the races or a dinner party. The Ascot tie had wide flaps that were crossed over and then pinned to the chest.
Following the First World War, ties were decorated with loud patterns and were very wide (up to 4.5 inches). It was during this period that striped ties came into being, as a result of the regimental army stripe. The British stripe went from the left shoulder down to the right side, but in the USA it was the other way round. Ties were generally shorter and wider before the 2nd World War, but this style came into fashion again in the 1970s in the form of ‘Kipper Ties’. During the 1960s ties became bright and vibrant, influenced by the pop art movement and Psychadelia. And in the 1980s very narrow ties (1 inch wide) known as skinny ties were in vogue, which have now come back into fashion for the millennium. |
