More tie business today. Drake’s of London offer a new online bespoke service for those who like their neckwear just so. Having offered the same in-store the wider world will now have access to this personalised set up. They explain “In the spirit of Savile Row bespoke tailoring, Drake’s is proud to offer superbly handcrafted ties to your personal specification. Each of the tie lengths offered within our bespoke service has been crafted from individual master patterns graded perfectly to the appropriate length.” Plenty of classic Drake’s fabrics to choose from, from Silk to Cashmere, take charge of your neckwear over here.

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Another addition to the world of modern neckties (Chambray/Tattoos/Beard situations), Matt Gorton of CXXVI presents Stalward Ltd. They describe “a New York based brand of neckwear providing an effortless addition of style for nearly any purpose. Each piece is carefully handmade in the great city of Chicago. The family-owned and operated factory has been specifically chosen for its attention to quality for the past fifty years.” Some top fabrics, often deadstock, are used to create each tie. The Heavy Linen in Sage and Summer Check are particularly solid options in the Spring/Summer 2012 range and shouts for some excellent branding and packaging. Available now, over here.

Started in 2011 by Read Wall, the Read’s Clothing Project works on American made shirts and accessories while being based in Washington D.C. – a perfect location to outfit gents with their wears. Some of the fabrics used on the ties we have seen; others are new to the market. Most important and not to be understated is that R.C.P. donated one book to children for every product sold. We like that.

Many more looks on the following page.

There are plenty of items of clothing that we could easily argue looked better (and were made better) 50-100 years ago, but ties seem to really be hitting a peak. We estimate that is due to a renewed focus on quality fabrics and construction combined with a willingness in dudes to wear whimsical patterns about their necks.

Here are five bangers from The Hill-Side, Brooklyn-based maker of ties, scarves, and hankies crafted here in the U.S.A. We like the straight bottoms on these and the width—neither too skinny nor too wide (deviations either way can really date a tie)—and feel like there are prints to please just about any comers. Hickoree’s has them.

More looks in our gallery…

It seems like there are fewer occasions in the week that warrant a necktie anymore—while the occasions that demand one have disappeared almost completely. While it is liberating to not feel required to wear one in every office, that same lack of stipulation makes us want to wear one even more.

Here are some fine “Narrow Ties” from Monitaly’s Spring/summer 2012 collection. Narrow is good because skinny is a tad silly and wide wants to sell you insurance. It is funny that a company like Monitaly would offer up neck-hangers, though, as so much of what they craft is meant to be worn on boating excursions and bear hikes. Whatever their reasoning, these puppies—made in the U.S.A.—look soft and just a little serious, which is precisely where the tie has landed in these modern times. Up There Store has them.

More looks in our gallery…

While the usual cast of great lines covered by Selectism are showing at Pitti Uomo this week, we’re going to mix it up a bit by profiling a range of fashion brands that may or may not have been profiled. Many of them will be names familiar to our Italian readers, as well as fresh faces from our Europe.

We start it off with an Italian firm Altea, who back in 1892 started their company by producing neckties for the local market. with the necktie form pretty much solidified in premium silks, Altea put their focus on color first. Today, the same holds true in their full collection that begins with color palettes which garments are then designed around. The Altea offering is a large one with men’s garments ranging from their necktie roots to knits and beyond.

View a wide selection of looks from Altea’s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection in our gallery.

Photography: Luca Merli/Selectism.com

Alexander Olch and TheCorner.com produced this new video short on how to tie Olch’s favorite necktie knot, the four-in-hand. Model Aurelie Claudel is clearly more beautiful than Olch, but we still hear him narrating this one. That’s ok.
Directed by Matt Lenski.

There’s a shedload of ties out there but a lot of the new ties available are, shall we say, a little unsuitable for the sort of places where you’ll wear a tie. You find us the office where floral ties are encouraged and we’ll find you, ermmm, something that also doesn’t exist. A plain navy knitted tie will however will always be in style. Sorry about that last sentence, we were starting to sound like one of those classic menswear sites. Made in the U.K. from 100% silk. Garbstore has them.

Blackbird’s in-house line brings a wide range of men’s neckties for the holidays. With ten colorways to choose from, one of these will land perfectly on your father, brother or loved one. They are all made in the U.S.A. and come in small batch runs dependent on the textiles found for productions. $78 per tie. Find them online at Blackbird.

More looks after the click.

Japan’s Bedwin & The Heartbreakers goes for the neck with their latest collection of “Dennis” neckties. Available in a cornucopia of colorways including black, purple, red and navy, the “Dennis” necktie comes in either knit wool or silk. Skinny ties for those who need to keep it thin. Mod friendly. Up There has them.

More looks after the click.