Neckties In China

Jackie D.


Robert Talbott Inc. is famous for its exclusive line of handmade silk neckties, which include limited edition silk ties that are hand-signed and extremely hard to find. These ties are special because they are made from a single sheet of quality silk and they contain no inner lining or ironing. Talbott has also expanded into other men’s lines that include dress shirts, sweaters, suits, leather jackets and accessories. The company even offers a women’s line that includes shirts, sweaters, scarves, belts and handbags.

Talbot clothes and accessories are sold at upscale department stores like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, though some of their exclusive neckties are nearly impossible to come by.

Brief Biography

Robert Talbot was born and raised in Grenfell, Iowa, in 1905. He went to Grenfell College and later earned a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1931. After working a number of jobs, he finally settled in New York City in 1939 and took a position at a top life insurance company. During World War II Talbot met and married Audrey Sharpe, a woman he had met through the passing of a friend.

At that time it seemed as if Robert Talbot’s life was on a straight trajectory. He had married a woman he deeply loved and they subsequently began to raise a family in Connecticut. He also had a stable job that allowed the family to live an upper middle class life in the idyllic suburbs of central Connecticut. In time Robert would become and executive vice-president and was marked for greater things.

Meanwhile, his wife, Audrey stayed at home and raised the children. She had only one hobby and that was creating silk neckties for her husband and his friends. But their seemingly perfect life was dealt a savage blow when the couple’s three-year-old daughter, Heather, died of a brain tumor. The family was so devasted that Robert promptly quit his job and moved his family to the other side of the nation, California.

Turning a Hobby into a Business

It was then that the family decided to start their own business and Audrey’s little hobby soon became a full time job. Due to the high-quality fabric and the labor-intensive process, the Talbots knew that they could sell their products only to men with deep pockets, so they targeted this niche market. For years Robert Talbott packed the family car with his wife’s unique creations and traveled up and down the California coast selling her handmade wares to haberdashery shops. In time, the demand for Talbott ties grew so great that they were able to open their very own store.

In 1953 the couple opened a store in Carmel, California. At that time they sold only hand-made silk ties and bowties. The couple barely stayed afloat for the first few years but still managed to open a second store in 1960. Then a few years after that men’s fashion changed and people were suddenly willing to pay a premium for quality ties. Designers like Ralph Lauren and Christian Dior had ushered in a new age and the Talbots quickly reaped the benefits.

Today the company has annual sales of over fifty million dollars and they sell to some of the most exclusive retailers in the nation. They have also expanded their product line to include both men’s and women’s shirts and accessories. Although, their silk ties on which the company’s reputation was built are still hand-made and highly sought after.

Jeff T.


Neckties are men fashion accessories and a master-piece to show your fashion favor. To keep your favorite neckties long lasting, those men’ tie tips are recommended for necktie cleaning, pressing, storage, and care.

Men’ ties can be dirty after using for a while. Do not wash those ties by hand with water or laundry with washing machines. The normal way is to send your neckties to a dry cleaner. The professional cleaners can help clean your neckties. Or you neckties could shrink with a fading color and look rumpled. If not that dirty, you also can help yourself. Two ways work for your necktie cleaning. One is wet cleaning and the other is dry cleaning. The wet cleaning is to put neckties on a flat board or table and brush with soft brushed dipping with a little diluted detergent. Rub away the foam with a dry towel and then scrub with clean wet towels. Dry clean is to brush with soft brushes dipping with gasoline. The brushing pass should follow the woven patterns. After the gas evaporates, gently brush several times with clean wet towels. If only light stain, the evaporated oil is a good choice for the stained spots. If a whole necktie is necessary to be cleaned, you can still wash it for yourself. First, make a diluted solution with 20cc evaporated oil and 1cc kitchen neutral detergent. Put that solution into a bottle with a big opening. Shake and make it even. Put the rolled neckties into the bottle and cover the bottle with a lid. Shake it around 10 minutes and set aside for 10 minutes. Repeat the above procedure once. The stained spots can be brushed gently with a tooth brush in that solution.

The following pressing tips give you a refreshing necktie. Before pressing, put rolled paper rods into both inner side edges and it avoids permanent creases for the edges. Put a towel on the neckties during the pressing. Set the appropriate temperature based on your necktie materials and iron from the center to around. Silk ties are so delicate to the heat so that faster pressing move is recommended.

As for short term storage, roll neckties up loosely and put them in your wardrobe. If long term consideration, the clean neckties are put into a plastic bag and hang up in the change room. You also can store neckties in a tie box but well ventilation condition is highly recommended to silk ties.

The daily necktie care is necessary for a long lasting tie and the following tips are great for your necktie care. After tying, you should untie the necktie knot and flatten both large end and small end of the tie. Avoid drag neckties too much. Or the fiber could be broken and permanent ceases can be made. Hanging and rolling are two recommended storage ways. The only thing you should be careful is to make sure that the storage place has a smooth surface. So your neckties have no concern for the scratching damage. Always have multiple neckties for switch. So your neckties have some time to relax and refresh a bit. If stained spots or food on the neckties, clean it immediately. When you are driving, do not bind your necktie with the safety belt. So you have a tidy necktie when you get out of your car.

Hendrik Pohl


So you are about to get married, and after many hours of dress shopping you found a perfect ivory colored dress for you. Everything has been prepared: You have lost a few pounds to look the absolute best on your big day, and the dress fits like a glove. But there is one thing that has been giving you a headache and time is running out. The question that has been on your mind is: What does the groom wear? How can I find a matching attire to match my ivory color wedding dress?

First off, let me tell you that you are not alone. We almost receive e-mails daily with situations just like this. The most common perception is white color on the groom’s attire will make your ivory color wedding dress make look like a dirty shade of white. This is true, but only if white is the only color shade that closely resembles the ivory color on your dress. As long as the groom wears some parts of the clothing that matches the ivory color, you will be alright. There is no need to look for ivory color dress shirts. In fact, they might look dirty when matched with a classic black tuxedo that traditionally calls for a white dress shirt. So stick to the white dress shirt, and instead use matching neckwear like an ivory color necktie or bow tie.

If you really want to make sure that none of your guests mistake your ivory dress for a dirty white one, dress your groomsmen in matching ivory neckties. We at Ties-Necktie.com regularly work with weddings and receive many thank you e-mails, containing pictures of the wedding party wearing our neckties. Ivory is a tricky color, but when dressing groom and groomsmen in ivory neckties your wedding pictures will be absolutely stunning. Ivory silk ties have a very classy shine. It is in fact one of our most popular wedding necktie color.

Hannah Taylor


Can you believe that the total bill for a prom nowadays can add up to $1,000 or more? Think about the cost of doing your nails, renting a limo, doing your hair just right, taking pictures, getting the right shoes, etc, etc, etc. Your head will probably hurt from thinking about it and so will your wallet. How can you afford all of this…? You can because there’s actually tons of prom dresses under 100 dollars to choose from, so that part of the expense won’t be a major one.

If you just can’t bear to hear your parents bemoan the fact that they don’t have lots of cash to blow on your prom and the economy is bad, don’t worry – it’s not hard to find prom dresses under 100 dollars. There are even dozens of styles online and lots of colors to choose from.

Don’t even being to worry that it’s unsafe to order over the internet. Questions like: How will I be sure that my measurements are right and will the dress fit me, will it look just as good on my body as it does on the web… Buying online will mean that you join over one hundred thousand girls that buy their under $100 prom dresses online every prom season.

This year especially (2009), shopping has become easier and sensitive to your needs. Websites now often ask or help you figure out your dress size. Typically, you can also to enter in your measurements, ensuring that the dress you order will fit you. This might help you save on alterations later on, too.

It just doesn’t make sense to pay $300-$500 for a designer dress when you can get a prom dress under $100 that look just as good as the foo-foo fancy ones. It used to be that cheapo dresses that didn’t make the cut were put into the under $100 prom dresses category. In a complete about-face, now there are designer prom dresses that are specifically being made for people who can’t afford the expensive ones!

Go west, young woman, or at least surf the internet to get the perfect prom dress under $100 for you.

Hendrik Pohl


Are you confused about all these different types of dress codes? Are you uncertain if it is necessary to spend the money to rent a tuxedo for a function if a regular 2-piece suit might do? What about neckwear? Do you need a bow tie or is a necktie the preferred piece of accessory? Below is a helpful explanation on the 5 most common dress codes for men.

Formal, or “Black Tie” Attire:
If you are invited for a formal event, the chances are the invitation will call for “Black Tie Attire”. Black Tie is the most formal of all dress codes and traditionally will require you to wear a bow tie in combination with a classic tuxedo. Not just any bow tie will do, but the solid color black bow tie is the one to choose. The gold standard for “Black Tie Attire”: Black tuxedo jacket, matching black tuxedo pants, white dress shirt, black bow tie, black shoes, black cummerbund or vest, and white pocket square.

“Warm Weather” Back Tie Dress Code:
As the name indicates, warm weather black tie means that the event will take place during the day, and/or in warm weather. In addition, it is often times associated with events occurring under open-air. Similar to traditional “Black Tie” attire, “Warm Weather Black Tie” means you need to wear a tux and a bow tie. The preferred bow tie is still black, even though solid color white, or silver bow ties are an acceptable alternative. The black tuxedo jacket is typically switched to a white one. Not only is the white jacket quite elegant, but it will also be much cooler and more comfortable when worn on a hot sunny day.

“Black Tie” Optional:
Black Tie” optional dress code is also often called “semi-formal” dress code. As the name suggests, tuxedo and bow tie is acceptable, but the majority of guests will dress slightly less formal. Most common are dark 2-piece suits with white dress shirt, and elegant solid color tie. The necktie should be on the slightly more formal side. As a general rule: The darker the necktie, the more formal it will appear.

“Business” Attire:
Depending on your industry and your company’s culture, business attire can vary widely. Traditional business attire consists of 2-piece suit, dress shirt, and necktie. The most popular dress shirt colors are white, blue, gray, and even light pink. If you are invited in for a job interview dress on the slightly more consertvative side. A dark charcoal gray suit, white dress shirt, and diagonal striped tie in not too flashy colors is a great choice. The most common necktie colors are dark blue and burgundy red. Striped neckties are also common for business attire as they have a classy look that is timeless and not too flashy.

“Business Casual” Dress Code
Don’t wear a necktie or a bow tie for a “Business Casual” meeting. The goal here is to dress nice, but not too formal. No full suit, and no neckwear is needed. The basic outfit consists of: Dress shoes, dress pants, and dress shirts. A non-wrinkly tugged-in polo shirted with nicely pressed Khaki pants are slightly less formal, but well acceptable for “Business Casual” attire. Stay away from tennis shoes, shorts, sandals, and jeans!

Priyanka Arora


Before you set out to start shopping for evening dresses, you should first know what color, length, style of dress you want. What is more important is that we determine if the dress that you want to buy is appropriate for the occasion and formality of the event of the evening.

The most popular choice is the little black dress which is a must have for every wardrobe. It can be worn for every event, occasion and season, dressed down or formal.

If you are looking for a cotton, light and airy, summer dress to make you look hot but not overdoing it at outdoor parties like a holiday vacation or an upcoming barbeque party, then you can go for a halter neck style or a maxi dress.

If you have a prom/ball or formal dinner to go to, and you have decided that you want an elegant and classy dress but is very unique also, then you have a long list of choices for you such as strapless, backless, long to knee length, corset, etc. And the trendy look of defined waistlines and displayed shoulders is very girly and flattering to almost all body shapes.

If you want something less formal, then you can just go with what dress is considered at the latest trend, which is forever changing all throughout the season.

As you have noticed, you have a lot of options available to you. Go check out what the red carpet celebrities are wearing to find an inspiration.

Bradlley Mckoy


Getting Tied to Tie Bars

The corporate world has its snobs. They frown on men who wear clip on ties and they can spot one, and these are usually the poor guys who hide behind flashy tie bars. Anyway, if the corporate snobs know the rules, they have to concede that the office routine is not a $2000 plate event but a less formal occasion worthy of simpler necktie knots.

Well, men can be lazy. To fuss over a tie knot and waste precious minutes doing and undoing a knot is a problem men do not want to bother with every morning. So why sweat needlessly when they can speed this up by using clip on ties with matching tie slides or bars.

Another reason for their dependence on clip on ties, though they will not admit it, is the strange fact that they cannot master the elaborate half Windsor knot, which is done by making an additional loop before filling up the tie’s broad end before doing the final cinch knot.

Tie Knots That Knot You Up

There are varied ways to knot your necktie ranging from the basic to the complicated. Whatever knot you choose should go well with the fabric. You may use tie bars, tie tacks or tie pins to enhance the appearance of your necktie. The easier knots are:
* Four-in-hand
* Double Simple
* Small knot
* Half Windsor

The complicated ones are:
* Full Windsor
* Cross knot

The Windsor knot honors the Duke of Windsor who started the trend of using wider knots for well-spaced collars. Thicker materials and custom-made shirts can accommodate this heavy triangular knot. Tie bars for this type of fabric are thicker and stronger. Fortunately, this knot is not mandatory for office or you’ll stress yourself out before you perfect that straight necktie look with that superb knot between the collars.

The Cross knots also take five steps and when completed shows a cross on the knot, a smart finish. It looks simple to do but you have to observe every detail. Keep on practicing doing these knots until you can do it with your eyes closed or in your sleep. Your tie bars can wait.

But tie bars have a more important role to play than just keeping your tie straight. It prevents your tie from being gobbled up by the paper shredder. The tie bar clips your neckties to your shirt so there’s no danger of both ends getting into the maw of the shredder. Tie bars can also keep silk ties in place even when there is a strong gust of wind, keeping you looking cool and glam in any weather.

Now you have excellent excuses for your neckties adorned with classy or jazzy tie bars. The furtive looks at your neckties and your spiffy 14 karat or silver tie bars will stop and your boss will ignore your simple four-in-hand even with the Queen around. But this must not be enough reason why you should not try learning the ropes now.

Alain Picard


Bow ties, nowadays, are not as frequently worn as neckties. But despite their lack of visibility in most events, bow ties are still considered a men’s fashion statement at formal events, specifically black tie events. It is actually the most formal piece in a man’s wardrobe.

It should still be kept in mind though that bow ties is not a thing of the past. There are still events where bow ties can come in handy. Good news is, bow ties are still here to stay.

Here are some of the most important events that a man should take note of if he wants to know when to wear a bow tie:

Formal Events
The classic black bow tie is the most preferred choice that should accessorize a black tuxedo and a white pocket square. On the other hand, white bow ties can be worn occasionally on black tie events that are done in the day and during warm weather days.

Semi-Formal Events
Although black bow ties still come in handy during semi-formal events, you should be careful in wearing them so as not to end up the only man wearing the black bow tie on a less formal event – you wouldn’t want to be thought of as being too formal or overdressed.

Basically, less formal colors are the preferred choice for bow ties that are to be worn on semi-formal events. If the event is done during the day, it would be best to go for light colored bow ties. The most popular ones are silver, light blue and light pink. But since it is a less formal event and you prefer to wear neckties instead, pick the more formal but solid color necktie with satin-shine.

At the Workplace
I guess this is where bow ties don’t come too much in handy. Unlike what you see in old movies where Clark Kent wears a bow tie to the Daily Planet, bow ties these days are not a common office attire to the modern man. But for older male professionals, it is still common for them to wear the larger bow ties – those which are larger the 2.5 inches. Some even wear the bow ties with stripes and polka dots and they look just fine.

At Parties
It is sometimes fun to wear bow ties at parties. Parents would event dress up their little boys with bow ties instead of neckties. Daddies can wear the same too, to match their little boy’s outfit. Just like novelty neckties, bow ties also come in fun and colorful designs. You can choose from bright polka dotted bow ties to the more playful designs of popular cartoon characters or animals.

Overall, bow ties cannot be considered as totally a thing of the past. Any man can pull it off and make it a blend with his modern wardrobe and use it in appropriate occasions.

Ruth Lanham


Everyone has gone to a formal event at least once in their lives. One example of a formal event is weddings. Everyone has at least gone to one or two weddings. For women, there is the dilemma of finding the right dress or the right gown to the event. Some may think that men are lucky that they don’t have that kind of problem. However, men also do have problems making choices especially when it comes to neckties.

Neckties are generally fabric that is designed to decorate a man’s neck. They are often placed under a man’s shirt collar and are tied in a knot under a man’s throat. They are often worn as part of a uniform or as formal wear.

There are generally four types of neckties. The cravat is a type of necktie that dates back to the early 1660’s when a regiment from Croatia visited Paris and was presented to Louis XIV. The officers in this regiment were wearing pieces of silk around their necks which Louis XIV took a liking to. The king then made these neck pieces an insignia of royalty.

The four-in-hand necktie was popular in the 1850’s in Great Britain. Its popularity grew as today they are a part of men’s formal wear. These are often worn by businessmen as part of their office attire. This type of necktie is the most common tie worn nowadays.

The six- and seven-fold ties are another type or variation of the four-in-hand necktie. It was popular in America in the 1930s and emerged again in the 1980s. This type of tie is basically two or more pieces of silk which are sewn together and are folded. There usually is six to seven sections of silk between these folds.

The clip-on tie is a four-in-hand necktie or a bowtie which is permanently knotted therefore removing the trouble of unknotting the necktie upon removal and knotting it again if a person is going to use the tie again. This tie is fastened to the front of the shirt collar with a metal clip. This type of tie is often found on airline pilots, law enforcement, and service clerks whose occupations require them to wear a tie that’s not hazardous to his/her safety.

Great care is practiced when taking care of a necktie since it is considered to be the most perishable item in a man’s wardrobe. This is because of the delicate material of which the necktie is made of and the added strain of knotting and unknotting the tie. It is a good idea to be careful in doing and undoing the knotting. It is also advisable not to send a necktie to the dry cleaners but instead rubbing it against a piece of the same material or removing spots with a spot remover.

People can find neckties in the men’s area in department stores or in men’s boutiques. However, for those who want a more personalized feel to their neckties, they often find themselves wondering where to find a customized neck tie. For these people, the internet provides a solution to their problem. There are multiple websites over the internet which offers necktie-making needs. All a customer has to do is tell them what he is looking for in a necktie or give the makers some feedback on how he wants his necktie to look like. The price differs as each design is made of different materials.

Hendrik Pohl


If a suit and tie is part of your regular work attire, then there is probably a good chance you are getting a little bored with the same look everyday. Looking to add a more unique style, you have probably added a pair of brown shoes, brown belt, as well as French cuffed shirts that are worn with your set of cufflinks. If you are still on the search for more accessories, that are classy and a great way to add your own style to your outfit, then considering wearing a pocket square is a great option. Knowing how to wear a pocket silk will be easy once you read this article. Not only do you have many different colors, patterns, and pocket square styles to choose from, but there are also quite a few different ways to fold a hankie.

Finding the Right Pocket Square

When choosing a pocket silk, think about the look you are going for. By “look” we mean how formal you want your attire to appear. The most formal are solid color pocket squares made from shiny silk in colors white, and black. Slightly less formal are solid navy blue, and burgundy red hankies. Least formal but still very classy, are pocket square with more color and more designs. A paisley pattern pocket square in burgundy red, green, and navy blue is less will add a very elegant-sophisticated touch without appearing too formal.

How to Match Your Pocket Square

First of all, you should only wear a pocket silk in combination with either necktie or bow tie. Wearing one without your neckwwear will look out of place. Next, find a color and pattern that goes with the rest of your outfit. The easiest way to do this is to choose a pocket square that is made from the same fabric, meaning color and pattern, then the necktie or bow tie. For a pocket square aficionado this might be a little too boring and somewhat plain looking. The true fashion expert will wear a hankie that has it’s own unique color and pattern, but nevertheless, matches well to the rest of your outfit. As a general rule, combine colors that are part of the same color family. A pastel tone pocket square in a light blue color will look great with neckties that are also in lighter pastel colors such as light pink, orange, and lime green. If you like to wear a pocket silk with more pattern, than make sure to vary the pattern size on your pocket square, dress shirt, jacket, and your necktie.

How to Fold a Pocket Square

It is important to match your pocket square fold to the style of pocket square you will be wearing. A more formal hankie, such as a classic solid white one, should be combined with a more formal type of fold such as the flat pocket square fold, or also called “presidential fold”. Simply place your hankie on a clean, flat surface. Then fold it in-half to create a rectangular shape. Then fold -in each side, so that the pocket square has the width of your breast pocket – that’s it!

The least formal pocket square fold is the so-called “Puff fold”. Simply take your pocket silk and place it on a clean flat surface. Then pinch the pocket square at the center with two fingers and pick it up. Then, slide the pocket square through your other hand while still pinching the center, and stuff the hankie into your breast pocket. You can do this either with the four corners sticking out of your pocket, or by placing them inside. Pick the option you prefer most.