Why, oh, why, do people insist on buying men neckties for Christmas?
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The best advice for those planning to give a tie for Christmas is, don’t. But if you persist, keep in mind there’s more to it than may meet the eye:
Tie, not scarf: Women purchasing ties tend to use the “scarf factor,” as in “That would make a lovely scarf.” So what! He’s wearing a tie. Think subtlety, not visual excitement.
Snoop: Look at the ties that he wears. Some men have many ties but usually rotate through about 10 or so favorites. And think about the rest of his clothes. A tie that can’t be worn with anything that he has is useless.
Raise the bar: Plan to spend $100 to $200. Sound like a lot? It isn’t. Think about how long an exquisite tie will last.
Weave, baby: Woven ties (at left) are elegant and always right. They are differentiated from normal silk ties by the texture of the fabric.
Be wary: Some ties are actually being designed to fit the resurgence of fat tie knots. If you buy him one of these and he’s a slimmer four-in-hand devotee, that receipt had better be in the box.
Simplicity: When in doubt, get a woven tie in a simple pattern of one or two colors. Don’t worry, it isn’t boring; elegance never is.
A few things to look for: A keeper loop (that holds the rear blade) made of its own fabric, set into the center seam; all-silk construction (including the lining); and wrinkle resistance. Tie it, leave it for a few minutes, then untie it. It should spring back to an unwrinkled state.