My Dad’s girlfriend…yes, my elderly Dad has a girlfriend… wanted me to go shopping with her to get my Dad a Valentine’s Day gift. As we were walking through the department store, I noticed a beautiful display of silk neckties. I was shocked to see that they were on sale for $25. The salesman saw me looking at the ties and said, “These all silk ties just went on sale today.” How could I pass up buying an “all silk”tie for $25?” Once I picked-up the ties, I figured out why they were only $25. There is a big difference between all silk and shell fabric all silk. For a man to exhibit the highest level of sophistication, he should wear an all silk tie or what’s commonly known as a “seven–fold” tie. The majority of ties labeled “silk” are made of a silk shell and a non-silk interlining.
On the contrary, the seven-fold tie is made entirely of one piece of silk. The large square of silk is then folded seven times into the shape of a necktie. Also, price is a determining factor in figuring out if a tie is all silk. If you purchase this type of tie at Hermès (Hermès is to a tie what Gucci is to a pair of loafers), you could easily feel $300 lighter, unless you bargain hunt on a Parisian side-street. So, the next time you pick up a tie that is supposedly silk, make sure you find out if it is all silk.