Charvet Knit Silk Tie

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Many believe that if you’re in need of a well-made shirt or tie you should head to Charvet, a globally recognized French super shirtmaker. Apparently, both Napoleon Bonaparte and Manet believed so, and so does Bruce Willis. The Charvet Knit Silk Tie is no exception to this company's keen attention to detail. While the label normally offers each of its ties in at least two dozen colors (not to mention that there are around 5,000 variations in all), this silky bad boy comes in just three -- lilac, blue and black -- all with a slightly metallic feel to them, which is the effect that the pure silk gives off. Since 1838, (when The House of Charvet shirt shop opened in Paris), it has used only the best quality and carefully selected fabrics.

UNIQUENESS

Frankly, at first glance, the Charvet Knit Silk Tie looks like a sock, not a tie -- a warm sock you’d wear in front of the TV   with a remote control in one hand and a packet of Pringles in another no less. So, an accessory normally associated with formal wear, here somehow manages to look casual. Ties that can serve double-duty (i.e., that can complete your formal wear and up your style quotient on a daily basis) are the ties that you should invest in.  

The thick texture and chunky knit asks for balance: It is not to be worn with heavier fabrics as a background piece. Don’t be misled by its uniqueness -- unusual form, straight ending and thick texture --  as it can quickly work against you and you can simply go wrong on so many levels. Keep the shirt lightweight  and do avoid a short sleeve.

DURABILITY

If well looked after, the Charvet Knit Silk Tie is a pretty clever investment in terms of its quality. It’s handmade of pure silk and its solid knit will last for years. Its wearability and functionality are a totally different story. It won’t go well with everything, and it looks pretty tricky to tie. Is it flexible enough to be tied in a standard, classic way? Is it meant to be worn more like a flannel scarf, loosely? If your style is not eclectic enough, you won’t know the answers. That’s why it is not the best idea to spend $145 on it if your wardrobe has a more classic and usual feel.

On the bright side, if you decide to give it a go and spice up your look, this tie stands in the place where tradition meets the future. Overall, this very precise, handmade knit tie comes in a slightly upgraded and new shape that gives you quite a few options to experiment with.