Men's Collection

Silk is the one accessory material that looks worse the harder it tries. A tie or a scarf in the right weight reads as texture; the wrong one reads as shine. The notes below cover what actually changes the way a tie and a scarf wear, so a short description and a photograph tell you most of what you need.

Weight, measured in momme

Momme is the unit used for silk fabric weight, and it predicts behavior better than any other figure. Heavier cloth knots into a fuller, softer dimple and falls back into shape after a day of wear; lighter cloth gives a crisp, tight knot but creases faster and is harder to press flat again. Tie cloth usually sits in the middle of the range. Scarf cloth goes either lighter, so it folds flat under a collar, or heavier, so it holds a fold instead of slipping out of one.

Woven and printed

A jacquard tie has the pattern built into the cloth. The design shifts as the light moves across it, and the reverse reads as a mirror of the front. A printed tie lays the design on a plain weave, which allows finer detail and a lower price. Neither is superior, but they age differently: a woven pattern stays legible through years of knotting, while a print can show its pale base cloth along a fold.

Width and knot

Width should answer to the jacket you wear most. A tie about as wide as the lapel reads as deliberate; a noticeably narrow tie suits a slim lapel and a small knot. Four-in-hand is the forgiving knot, the half-Windsor the fuller one.

The scarf in practice

Silk scarves for men are usually worn under a coat collar or over a crew neck. The edge tells you how a piece was finished: a hand-rolled hem is rolled and stitched by hand and has a soft, slightly irregular line, while a machine hem is flatter and more even. Both are legitimate, and neither is a sign of quality on its own. Check the length against how you intend to wear it: a scarf tied short needs less than one looped twice.

Care that preserves shape

Ties are better dry cleaned than washed, because pressing restores the shape and a wet interlining can pucker beyond repair. Roll ties rather than hanging them, and undo a knot by reversing it instead of pulling the narrow end through. Scarves tolerate cool hand washing with a mild soap. Do not wring, dry flat away from sun, and press on low with a cloth between iron and silk.

Browse the men's silk collection for neckties and scarves.