Don't be wary of "cheap". If you want new and cheap neckties, listen up. You can get good quality if you know what you want. Do you need a certain width or size? Do you want a readymade discount job or an expensive handmade Italian label? What is off the rack at one shop is different from another.
Width preferences go with the times, but today the average is about 3.75 inches. This works well for most unless you are very short or quite tall and need to balance your proportions. Very wide and very thin ties are out unless you like a retro look.
If you don't have a ruler on you, and you are judging ties in a store, take out a dollar bill and fold it in half. You now know what three inches looks like. Now you can exert your taste as to pattern and color. Be careful as ties come in a variety of lengths and you don't want to make a mistake and have to trudge back in traffic. A good tip for shorter men is to create a bigger knot!
When it comes to fabric and construction, you need a practiced eye that can discern quality from schlock. Turn the tie over and look at the stitching. Look at the fabric label and opt for silk if you can. It drapes better than synthetics and has superior texture and sheen.
As for construction, good ties are made by folding a piece of silk over on itself. Inside is a good wool blend lining. Fine wool is used on the more expensive ties. In addition, no seams should be showing at any point. You might notice a small horizontal stitch on the back side while you are looking over your prospective purchase. It is done where the wide end splits to form a tip, which in effect is what holds the two sides together. The tie will keep its shape if this detail has been included.
Next you must always go for a good silk, not a synthetic which will not have the same drape or shine. This is not where to cut corners. Even value ties come in pure silk. Then you want to check the lining between the double or triple folds (triple is a superior type of construction found in only the best, probably imported, ties). A thin wool blend is customary as pure wool has become too expensive. It is a sign of quality first and foremost.
Another type of stitch is the slip stitch. Look on the back and you will find a loose thread that hangs lengthwise. At first, you might think it is a defect, but this extra stitch down the center of the tie ensures that the fabric can shift up and down while creating your knot. Real connoisseurs talk about triple construction referring to the way ties are made using multiple pieces of cloth that have been cut across the bolt. Look for two different seams as you feel the fabric along its length. Remember that your tie must sit neatly about your neck and hang smoothly.
So there is cheap and there is expensive. There are two panels or three. Don't compromise on fit, however. Be sure the thing fits well around the neck and that the fabric drapes nicely. These details matter and will help you find the perfect tie.
Width preferences go with the times, but today the average is about 3.75 inches. This works well for most unless you are very short or quite tall and need to balance your proportions. Very wide and very thin ties are out unless you like a retro look.
If you don't have a ruler on you, and you are judging ties in a store, take out a dollar bill and fold it in half. You now know what three inches looks like. Now you can exert your taste as to pattern and color. Be careful as ties come in a variety of lengths and you don't want to make a mistake and have to trudge back in traffic. A good tip for shorter men is to create a bigger knot!
When it comes to fabric and construction, you need a practiced eye that can discern quality from schlock. Turn the tie over and look at the stitching. Look at the fabric label and opt for silk if you can. It drapes better than synthetics and has superior texture and sheen.
As for construction, good ties are made by folding a piece of silk over on itself. Inside is a good wool blend lining. Fine wool is used on the more expensive ties. In addition, no seams should be showing at any point. You might notice a small horizontal stitch on the back side while you are looking over your prospective purchase. It is done where the wide end splits to form a tip, which in effect is what holds the two sides together. The tie will keep its shape if this detail has been included.
Next you must always go for a good silk, not a synthetic which will not have the same drape or shine. This is not where to cut corners. Even value ties come in pure silk. Then you want to check the lining between the double or triple folds (triple is a superior type of construction found in only the best, probably imported, ties). A thin wool blend is customary as pure wool has become too expensive. It is a sign of quality first and foremost.
Another type of stitch is the slip stitch. Look on the back and you will find a loose thread that hangs lengthwise. At first, you might think it is a defect, but this extra stitch down the center of the tie ensures that the fabric can shift up and down while creating your knot. Real connoisseurs talk about triple construction referring to the way ties are made using multiple pieces of cloth that have been cut across the bolt. Look for two different seams as you feel the fabric along its length. Remember that your tie must sit neatly about your neck and hang smoothly.
So there is cheap and there is expensive. There are two panels or three. Don't compromise on fit, however. Be sure the thing fits well around the neck and that the fabric drapes nicely. These details matter and will help you find the perfect tie.
About the Author:
Read more about Some Of The Things You Need To Know When Buying And Wearing Cheap Neckties.