Vitale Barberis Canonico

Ties

The Italian author Alberto Moravia affirmed: “It is with his choice of tie that a man takes his place in the world.” This accessory is the cherry on the icing, the concluding feature to put its seal on your elegance. The word “cravat” came from the Croatian mercenaries who were employed by the French to fight during the 30 Years War (in the 1600s). Already in 1827, a book was published on the art of tying a cravat which in those days was more like a small scarf. The modern tie came into being in 1925 when a New York business patented a longer type of cravat which was cut at 45 degrees, made up of three fabric segments. The best ties are made of silk, and are printed (for day wear) and jacquard (for evenings). A good quality tie is hand-printed on the entire square (the square is the piece of material from which the tie maker takes all the pieces necessary to make the tie). Once cut out, it is folded and lined with wool and/or cotton and sewn using only one thread which ensures that it keeps its shape lengthwise. Classic ties are folded three times; the rarer models are folded seven times (and made with only one piece of silk which is folded back on itself several times). Printed woollen ties are extremely beautiful, and in summer, Tricot or grenadine silk ties are ideal.