Linkson Jack introduced a new bespoke necktie service last month, and for the moment, is offering the service at a 50% discount. That moves it from $150 to $75, though shipping bumps it up a little. Included are some handsome linens and silk repp stripes, but the gem of the lot are the bespoke grenadines. Getting a custom tie is nice if you have special requirements, and in this case, the price comes at less than many ready-to-wears.
There’s some special terminology you might want to know before ordering, however. The customization points include:
- Number of folds: A tie is made from a large piece of cloth, and that cloth is folded over a number of times in order to give it some shape and weight. Three folds is standard, but if you want your tie to have more weight and body, you can ask for more folds.
- Length and width: Obviously to taste. You can measure your existing ties and see what you’d like changed (if anything).
- Interlining: Inside every tie is a thick piece of fabric called an interlining. This is what gives it some structure. Even ties that are advertised as “unlined” are usually lightly lined in some way. Here you can ask for an unlined or lined tie. If you get a multi-fold tie (anything five or above), I’d recommend going unlined. Otherwise, it might be too thick and meaty.
- Tipping: Tipping refers to the piece of fabric that’s sewn to the back of the tie, right at the two ends. “Self-tipping” means that the back is tipped with the same silk at the front; “navy tipping” means it’s tipped with a navy silk; and “untipped” means there’s no fabric sewn at the back at all. It’s fine to have a tie untipped, and doing so will make it feel marginally lighter and more delicate. If you do it on a grenadine, however, you’ll get a more transparent effect at the ends, as you see above. This has been somewhat popular among online menswear enthusiasts for the last year or so, but who knows if it’s just a passing trend. To play it safe, I’d recommend getting grenadines tipped.
- Loop/ Keeper: This is simply that fabric loop sewn into the backside of the front blade. It’s where you slip your back blade if you don’t want it to move around.
The quality here is quite good, and all ties are handmade by Arcuri Cravatte in Calabria, Italy. Delivery takes between two to five weeks. Use the checkout code HMTIES for the discount.
(Photos via Dress Like A)
