Talking Ties

Good morning,

I'm not saying the tie is making a comeback, but as of late it has gained momentum with purchases and overall discussion.

Perhaps it's the rumblings about a pending recession and some want to get back to being a little more formal?

To get ahead of the curve I'd like to revisit my thoughts about neckwear and the ABBEYDALE approach.

It's no secret that we love a good tie - used for both casual and business. We strive for relaxed elegance, achieving a confident approach but not trying to be overly formal or stuffy.

We wear ties because we want to, and it reinforces the fact that we care about the duties at hand.

If the suit is the business card, our ties are the hand shake and the smile.

Here are a few notes on the approach we take.

Slim never skinny: As in all the things menswear, it's a matter of proportion: the correct one stays between 3.25"-3.5" at it's widest point.

The knot: It's important to learn to do it without tightening too much, avoiding the "hung" effect. We prefer a classic four in hand knot (I sometimes wrap twice). Always untie it in the evening and hang during the night to reduce wrinkles.

My favorite video series to see variations.

The material: Silk jacquard for regimental stripes, lighter silk foulard for printed cloth, patterns for ties with an elegant tone, wool patterns for winter clothing and silk, linen, cottons for spring.

A tie for every occasion: During the day we prefer light colors and perhaps some pattern. In the evening we opt for a darker tie.

Don't take advice - it will slow your ability to develop your own style: The only rule is to follow your instinct. Choosing the tie has to be an irrational action, typically producing the most confident results.

The instinct has to follow a certain logic: Avoid wide and showy patterns, also pale and anonymous ones. Remember that the tie reveals the personality.

We prefer: Even tint ties in defined colors. Small patterns (dots, little squares, small prints). Ties with lines of two or three colors at the most. Anymore than that and you are flirting with the tie overpowering.

Combinations: Avoid the overlap of a tie with a thick pattern on a squared shirt or combining "all-stripes". Stripe tie, stripe shirt, stripe suit. We call this "3 stripes and your out". Remember it.

Never match your tie and pocket square: This is useless affectation.

With purpose,

DW