Interesting ties?

August 24, 2007 3:01 AM

Interesting ties?

I've got plenty of nice work ties that are plain, striped or have a small repeating pattern. Who makes more interesting, asymeterical, contemporary ties for non-work occasions though? UK, preferably London, stockists.

Note: "interesting" does not mean comedy, novelty or Disney.

posted by ninebelow to clothing, beauty, & fashion (18 comments total)

I once bought my now ex-husband a tie that looked like an old nautical map (silk tie, beige background, map symbols etc.). It was subtle but quite interesting. If I can find that particular line again, I'll pass it along!
posted by Womanscientist at 3:14 AM on August 24, 2007

It depends on your budget really. Both Liberty and Selfridges have ties that are interesting and different but they're definitely not a bargain.
posted by patricio at 3:41 AM on August 24, 2007

I have one of these, which is rather cool. (It's J S Bach's A minor violin concerto.)
posted by No Mutant Enemy at 4:10 AM on August 24, 2007

The tie section of Uncrate might have the kind of thing you're looking for.
posted by thelongcon at 4:28 AM on August 24, 2007

Newsreader and noted tie wearer, Jon Snow buys his ties from this lady.
posted by popcassady at 4:35 AM on August 24, 2007

Check out Nighlab and Naked and Angry.
posted by allkindsoftime at 4:42 AM on August 24, 2007

*Nightlab
posted by allkindsoftime at 4:42 AM on August 24, 2007

Fornasetti do intersting (if often loud) asymmetrical tie-designs. I couldn't tell you who sells them in London, though.
posted by misteraitch at 4:43 AM on August 24, 2007

have you looked in art museum/gallery shops? they often have things like this (one of my few ties is hand-painted and bought at the local arts museum).
posted by andrew cooke at 4:43 AM on August 24, 2007

My ex-husband loved unusual ties and it was quite fun to fill the closet with every sort imaginable -- the previous suggestions are all valid and good. The Internet became my best friend in the search for unusual ties. His tie collection spanned holiday themes; hobbies; special interests; social and charity interests, university themes: etc. Travels also brought ties with themes of the region. We found the most attractive and discreet ones in fine men's shops rather than typical tourist stops. Tie collecting is a fun hobby and an interesting way to tell parts of your life. Definitely, an ice breaker.
posted by peace_love_hope at 5:07 AM on August 24, 2007

I'm a big fan of Jerry Garcia ties.
Just stay away from the obvious Grateful Dead-themed ties. The more abstract designs are beautiful, though.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:17 AM on August 24, 2007

Uncrate, Nightlab and Naked & Angry all look good. A shame they are not in the UK.

Selfridges was my first port of call. I will try Liberty, though I hate the place. Museums and galleries is also a good idea.
posted by ninebelow at 5:31 AM on August 24, 2007

Seconding Thorzdad. Jerry Garcia ties are awesome. And a good selection; from "pretty" to "trippy".
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 6:39 AM on August 24, 2007

I love my TieLab tie from CyberOptix.
posted by mkb at 6:45 AM on August 24, 2007 [1 favorite]

Those TieLab ones are exactly what I had in mind. It's just a shame my nearest store is in Portugal.
posted by ninebelow at 6:55 AM on August 24, 2007

I second Fornasetti. I bought one years ago and would get compliments whenever I wore it.

I also saw it worn on TV by different people on several occasions. Gordon Burns - hardly a paragon of fashion - on Shooting Stars was one... don't remember the other(s).

They must sell them in London somewhere - or pop over to Milan / Rome...
posted by NailsTheCat at 12:59 PM on August 24, 2007

Gytha Mander has wooden ties. Unfortunately, it is a flash site. To get there: Enter> Accessories> Wooden Ties.

TieLab is awesome, if I were a guy, I'd be all over that.
posted by idiotfactory at 1:51 PM on August 24, 2007

ben sherman makes matching shirt-tie sets where the exact same fabric is used for both items. the fabric's pattern runs diagonally on the tie. i think they look great.
posted by twistofrhyme at 7:32 PM on October 1, 2007