University Tie

Any tie bearing the colors or insignia of a school or university, particularly in Britain.

Twill

A weave with fine diagonal ribs. Most often used for printed silk.

Tipping

Pieces of acetate or silk sewn onto the back of the tips of both ends of the tie.

Spitalsfield

A tie pattern that was a specialty of the textile mills of those areas of London
at the turn of the century and became fashionable in the 1920s. Small, geometric designs give an effect of marquetry across the surface.(Macclesfield).

Slip-Stitch

The end of the thread, several inches long, deliberately left free in
quality ties at one end of the lengthwise seam in order to let the tie stretch.
This is indispensable if the tie is to maintain its shape and drape.

Seven-Fold Tie

A tie without an interlining. Its firmness and shape are assured by the quantity of silk itself.

Satin Weave

A weave in which at least three warp yarns are floated over one weft yarn or vice versa forming a smooth compact surface.

Repp

Fabric with ribs running perpendicular to the selvedge.

Regimental Tie

Any tie with diagonal stripes in regimental colors.

Printed Silk

Silk whose colored patterns have been printed onto instead of woven in.

Old School Tie, Old Boys Tie

Any tie bearing the colors or insignia of a school or university, particularly
in Britain.

Mogadore

A very finely woven fabric with as many as 124 warp threads per centimeter of silk warp and silk, cotton, or linen weft.

Madder

Term designating a specific color range and texture in some silks, obtained by dying them with a madder-root extract, giving them an indigo bath, and treating their surfaces. Characterized by deep muted colors and soft, suede-like finishes.

Macclesfield

A tie pattern that was a specialty of the textile mills of those areas of London
at the turn of the century and became fashionable in the 1920s. Small, geometric
designs give an effect of marquetry across the surface. (Spitalsfield)

Jacquard Silk

Silk woven on Jacquard looms, allowing for the use of threads of various colors to weave a motif.

Interlining

The piece of material, most often wool or wool blend, inserted inside the envelope of the tie to give it body and shape.

Hand

Term used in the textile industry to describe a fabric1s texture and consistency.

Grenadine

A loose weave using twisted yarns, resulting in a fabric that resembles a knit,
which has excellent drape, maintains its shape, and knots well.

Four-In-Hand

The modern necktie, possibly named because its knot with two long, trailing ends resembled the reins of a four-horse carriage.

Float

A weave in which each turn of the weft thread is crossed by at least three warp threads, or vice versa. This configuration produces satin.

Faille

A silk weave with thin, tight warp threads and thick, loose weft threads, resulting in a surface with pronounced transverse ribs.

Club Tie

Tie bearing the printed or woven emblem of a club, organization or institution.

Bow Tie

Generally, either the straight end bat-wing or the thistle shape. Thistle shape is
also called the butterfly, since the opera Madam Butterfly was performed with success in 1904.

Bengal Stripes

Stripes of identical width but of alternating light and dark colors. Also commonly seen in shirtings.

Please use the scroll menu at left to select a term and view its definition.