Polyester ties come with a few advantages of their own, but most buyers in search of an upscale tie will turn to silk. However, not every silk tie you pick up is going to be as good as the ones you’ll get when you order from a reputable provider, and here are just a few reasons why.
Silk Differs Hugely in Quality
One of the most prized characteristics of silk is that it is very thin. However, this means that it needs to be spun in the right way using different raw materials. If a silk tie does not get made properly, it won’t boast the right thickness. A tie that uses high quality silks sourced from the world’s best printers and weavers is going to be far superior to one that used cut-rate production methods. Look for English or Italian production instead of Chinese.
100% Silk is a Little Misleading
Here’s something that might surprise you: there is really no such thing as a 100% silk tie. When you see a tie label that reads 100% silk, or 100% wool, that label is only referring to the outer shell. Hiding within the outer shell of each tie is an interlining. A quality tie will have been made with the perfect interlining cut and material, while a cheaper one will have cut corners. This will impact the thickness of the tie, and a poor interlining can make a tie hang slightly crooked – not a good look. In general, the best interlinings are of wool or cotton instead of polyester.
Different Fold Numbers Are Designed to Confuse
Traditional ties are three fold, meaning, simply enough, that the tie has been folded three times in order to gain its shape. However, seven fold or even nine fold ties have become seen more frequently in recent times. The main advantage that comes with a higher fold count is that an interlining is not needed, and some seven fold ties can be fantastic. Unfortunately, those extra folds don’t actually improve the quality of your tie, but you’ll find that they are often cited as a selling point.