We live in an ever-changing world, where fashion has now become a norm. We strive for excellence, we want the best. We opt for the most impressive and perfect accessories. So let’s ask ourselves if spending as much as we do is worth it? 

Inexpensive versus Premium ties 

We talk about men’s fashion and an image of a perfectly suited gentleman pops into our minds. We think of an elegant suit and a dazzling tie. So let’s ask ourselves how much should I be willing to spend on a tie? Is it worth spending hundreds of dollars on a tie? Is it mandatory or should I opt for a more affordable, cheaper version of the same silk tie? So what should we do? What should be the criteria when selecting a tie. Anything that comes in the market is priced according to its quality so if someone is charging $100 for a Silk tie and someone else charges $10 for another Silk tie, there must be a vast difference between the quality of the two. This doesn’t necessarily mean that one should always buy expensive stuff. It only means that price is not the only benchmark of quality. We should consider the fabric, the quality, the durability of the product as well.

The quality checks 

There are certain rules to adhere to towards buying a good quality tie. We categorize them into five criteria.

• The shell 

  The shell is the outer layer of the tie. How the tie feels in your hand, the fabric that is used, and how the tie is cut contribute to the basic look and feel of the tie. The best cut is when the tie is cut 45 degrees on the bias. Otherwise, the tie will twist crookedly and not drape properly. It means that once draped it will keep twisting and look clumsy to the onlookers.

• The interlining

  The interlining of a tie is a very important feature although mostly it is completely bypassed. The interlining is what the tie is made up of from within and if the material inside is coarse or thick, the tie doesn't drape properly. The reason for neglecting the interlining is apparent since labels only mention the material of the outer shell. Therefore, most ties are interlined with cheap polyester materials giving the tie a thicker appearance which is then mistaken for a good quality tie.

• The stitching 

  The stitching is done on machines. There are special machines built solely for stitching ties. The only manual labor is to put the tie in the machine and it stitches it up in seconds. Although this is a time-efficient method of stitching ties, it sadly leaves much room for improvement as far as aesthetics are concerned. The hand-stitched ties are the best ones. There are two ways to stitch a good tie. One is the loop stitch because it ends in a loop. The other way to sew a tie is to simply have a thread and a knot at the end and to leave a reserve of the thread. I believe the loops are slightly better. 

• The thread

  The thread is what holds the tie together, without it, it will unfurl like a sail in the wind. The quality of the thread should never be compromised, as the stronger the thread the more durable the tie. Ties are usually sewn in a way that the thread is invisible. Some companies use a thinner thread which is a nuisance since it rips and you have to go to the trouble of getting it fixed by your tailor. The tailors mess up the flexibility of your tie which ruins a good tie for you since they have no clue how to make it inflexible. Therefore although expensive it is always advisable to invest in an expensive high-quality thread. If you want to check your tie and see if the thread is of good quality pull a little at the thread, if it rips, it's a definite no-buy item. The thread being visible or invisible on the tie is for decorative purposes only and doesn’t add to the overall quality of the product.

• The tip lining 

  The tip lining is a way to cover up the interlining of a tie. Mostly the fabric used for this is not of very high quality which gives the tie a thicker look. In the early 1930s ties were made without the tip linings, but nowadays this is the accepted norm.

Our Conclusions 

The purpose of this article is not just to inform our customers about the quality checks of a tie but to also help them make informed choices. We at KissTies believe in quality and affordability. So while we don't rule out the possibility that an expensive tie would last longer and leave a better impression, we will not say that a less expensive one would be a complete disappointment. We believe there is a middle ground when purchasing a tie. One costing 100 dollars might be a good splurge for an important occasion say a wedding or a promotion, a lesser expensive one meeting the quality criteria can be an equally good purchase. Therefore at the end of the day, you should buy what not only makes you feel good but also looks good, after all, isn't this the purpose of our existence?