I have noticed an increase in the number of 7 fold ties on the market, particularly from the more 'economical' suppliers.
I had previously understood 7 fold ties to mean a tie constructed, by hand, from a single piece of silk to make front and back. I had also understood them to represent the pinnacle of tie making quality.
My first experience with a 7 fold tie was last year and a product from Austin Reed which I bought on an internet sale. It was a terrible tie. Cheap fabric, consistency of cardboard, and tied a terrible knot. Unwearable. So much for the pinnacle of tie making quality but a lesson learned. My next more recent purchase of a 7 fold was from Charles Thywhitt and this appears a better tie.
However, I am wondering if '7 fold' is to ties what 'selvedge' is to denim -- something for marketeers to stamp on a product hoping that customers assume it is by definition better quality.
So, some questions :
Do any of you have experience of 7 fold ties and do you prefer them to regular (?3 fold) ties?
Are 7 fold ties always made by hand? (After the Austin Reed experience I assume not)
I hear that a number of 7 fold ties are actually 'fake' as in they are 6 fold - how do you tell?
I also hear that 7 fold ties are generally harder to knot successfully and lose shape more than regular ties, is this true?
Many thanks!
I had previously understood 7 fold ties to mean a tie constructed, by hand, from a single piece of silk to make front and back. I had also understood them to represent the pinnacle of tie making quality.
My first experience with a 7 fold tie was last year and a product from Austin Reed which I bought on an internet sale. It was a terrible tie. Cheap fabric, consistency of cardboard, and tied a terrible knot. Unwearable. So much for the pinnacle of tie making quality but a lesson learned. My next more recent purchase of a 7 fold was from Charles Thywhitt and this appears a better tie.
However, I am wondering if '7 fold' is to ties what 'selvedge' is to denim -- something for marketeers to stamp on a product hoping that customers assume it is by definition better quality.
So, some questions :
Do any of you have experience of 7 fold ties and do you prefer them to regular (?3 fold) ties?
Are 7 fold ties always made by hand? (After the Austin Reed experience I assume not)
I hear that a number of 7 fold ties are actually 'fake' as in they are 6 fold - how do you tell?
I also hear that 7 fold ties are generally harder to knot successfully and lose shape more than regular ties, is this true?
Many thanks!
