What To Consider When Buying a Luxury Necktie

For some people, a necktie is simply a piece of fabric to wear during a business event or formal gathering. However, for many others, it’s a sign of sophistication and an investment in how they present themselves. Fashion-conscious individuals understand the importance of finding the right tie for the right occasion by seeking out a balance of patterns, colors, and materials to best suit the event. A well-chosen tie can command respect, add a touch of elegance, and showcase your individuality in a social setting.

There are lots of things to consider when buying a luxury necktie. Here are some tips to help you figure out exactly what you need before you make your next purchase.

Tie Construction

Knowing how ties are made helps you gauge their quality. Take a moment to examine the physical construction of a tie. Most quality ties have a cut at a 45-degree angle that can slightly stretch and return to its original shape without twisting or contorting from the person tying it.

Most luxury ties have a self-tip, which means the tips use the same quality materials as the tie itself instead of a less expensive polyester lining. It’s a seemingly small detail, but it’s one that showcases a commitment to quality to create a more cohesive and polished look.

High-Quality Silk

Material is one of the most important elements of a luxury tie, and you should always look for silk. While many ties claim to use real silk, you can gauge the quality of it by how it feels to touch. Once you experience a high-end tie for yourself, it’s easier to tell the difference.

Try to find silks that feel smooth and soft to the touch. High-quality silk has a natural luster. Many fashion brands weigh silk in momme, and a higher momme count means a denser, more durable fabric. These ties drape gracefully and have higher resistance to wrinkling, allowing the accessory to maintain an elegant appearance throughout the day.

The Interlining

The interlining or inlay is the material on the inside of the tie. These materials usually give a tie its shape, weight, and help it maintain its structure to form a perfect knot when it’s time to tie it. Luxury ties often have wool or wool blends for the interlining. These are sturdy materials that provide a good balance of body and resistance that drape elegantly and recover their shape after wearing and untying.

Lesser-quality ties often have a cotton or synthetic interlining that feels limp or overly stiff, like what you may find in a clip-on tie. These inlays quickly lose their structure and don’t last long with regular use. You can usually test the interlining of a tie by running your fingers along it. You should feel a consistently firm plush core that complements the silk exterior.

Stitching and Seams

A proper tie should always have a keeper loop. This is the small loop on the back that holds the tail of your tie in place and keeps it from drifting off to the side as you wear it. While many ties, even lower-quality ones, have these loops for function, a luxury tie has a loop of the same silk and fabric as the rest of the tie.

You should also look at the slip stitch, which is a single thread that runs along the length of the tie’s back seam. This allows the tie to flex and move with the wearer. You can often see a small loop of this thread at the wide end of the tie, which is a sign of traditional, high-quality craftsmanship. It’s a simple detail but one that allows you to tie and untie your necktie multiple times without worrying about it losing its form.

Width and Length

No matter what type of tie you’re buying, you should consider the dimensions of it. Typically, the width of your tie depends on the lapels of your suit jacket, with most suit styles working for one between 3–3.25 inches. Some contemporary fashion options work well with slimmer ties, while a wider tie can look more traditional or vintage.

Length is an especially important element. After tightening your tie, the tip should reach the top of your belt bucket. A tie that’s too long or too short can disrupt the harmony of your entire outfit and create a disproportionate look that has the opposite effect than what you may be aiming for.

Versatile and Timeless Colors

While bold, trendy colors can be exciting, you should aim to create a well-rounded tie collection on a foundation of versatile options and timelines shades. Some of the most popular options are dark navy, charcoal gray, and a sophisticated burgundy. These shades pair effortlessly with a wide range of shirt and suit colors and rarely look out of place.

These colors are appropriate for nearly any professional or formal occasion. When you invest in a luxury tie in one of these core colors, you are acquiring a piece that will remain stylish and relevant for many years, providing excellent value over the long term.

Patterns and Prints

Another thing to consider when buying a luxury necktie is the pattern or print on the fabric. Luxury ties offer a distinct selection of subtle but sophisticated patterns, with some of the most common being pinstripes or subtle micropatterns that blend into the color.

When assessing a printed or woven design, look for clarity, precision, and depth of color. You should try to find rich, saturated colors with a crisp, well-defined pattern that’s stitched into the tie rather than printed. A woven pattern, also known as a jacquard, is typically a more luxurious option over basic fabric printing, and it offers texture and weight for a more formal design.

The Importance of Handcrafted Accessories

Many of the world’s finest neckties are handcrafted, and this artisanal approach is a hallmark of true luxury. Handmade ties involve a great deal of skill and attention to detail. Look for signs of hand-finishing, such as hand-rolled edges, which create a plump, rounded finish that is superior to the flat, machine-stitched edges found on lower-quality ties.

Many quality ties feature bar tacks, which are small, reinforced stitches at the point where the main seam closes at each end of the tie. These tacks add strength and durability to the tie’s structure and are a good indicator of a quality brand.

If you want to learn more about high-quality neckties, consider browsing Mondo Uomo’s online catalog. Our selection of Italo Ferretti ties includes ample colors, styles, and patterns to suit any formal occasion. If you’re looking for handcrafted pieces that amplify your wardrobe, see what we have to offer and why our clothes stand out from the crowd.