Chris great video. I have trouble finding pocket squares most that I see on line are polyester and not satisfactory. And at the mens store they are $80 and up. I have made a few from scraps of silk or cutting the backs out of old shirts. You sometimes can find them at the thrift store for $5 . Much better than $80. 🙂 One can tell of your military background by the way your pocket squares are organized. 😉🇬🇧🫡 Looking forward to seeing your next video in this series. Best regards Ron
Hi Ron, glad you enjoyed the video, and I understand your comments about pocket squares. As for using scraps of silk offcuts, old style ladies head scarfs are also great as they can be used and they are easier to obtain in a charity/thrift shop than pocket squares. I do like the Rampley & Co pocket squares and I use Soho Scarves, they do lovely silk, wool etc pocket squares. When it comes to my organisation of my pocket squares, just like in the myth of young George Washington telling his father "I cannot tell a lie it was me with my hatchet", in my case it was my lovely wife who sorts out my Socks, underwear and pocket squares; but in my defence me lord, I did tell her how to do it, but don't tell her I said it 😆😄😆
Excellent content, Chris. I can relate to all of these issues, and have the experience - and cost - of failures to prove it! You hit the nail on the head when you said that many sellers on market sites such as eBay and Vinted (to name just two) are amateurs who may not realise that product details (such as the material used to make a tie) and accurate descriptions (the length and width of the blade) are so important. Another consideration is how well a tie will knot. Wool ties are usually a lot thicker than an equivalent tie made of silk and hence the resulting knot might be bulky by comparison and could look out of proportion if the blade of the tie is also quite narrow. When it comes to condition, apart from stains, check pictures of the tie for fraying and any loose stitching. The latter is tricky to put right invisibly and may require professional help. Lastly, don't under-estimate the cost of getting a tie dry cleaned. Prices have shot up! 😠 As for pocket squares, the bigger the better. From experience, you are right when you say that anything less than 25cms is likely to disappear into the depths of your jacket's breast pocket. To help support my pocket squares, I measure and cut to shape a cardboard template that just peeps above the top of the pocket. I then wrap the pocket square around it. This will keep it perfectly in place and only you will know what is keeping it there! 😊
Hi John, glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the added comments on the subject of buying ties and pocket squares online. Following on from your original suggestion for content for these 4 planned videos I will be creating 3 further videos in this series to cover the other items you suggested for content. Thank you John for your continued support and suggestions for video content - they are not lost 👍🙂
Ah Chris, If only I had a friend like you 30 years ago to help me avoid the pitfalls! I've bookmarked this video to show to friends for the next time they ask me for advice, such great content again. Something I've had issues with in the past is that it's very difficult to judge the colours of a tie or square on a screen, especially if you've got something in mind to coordinate it with. When I've looked for an item that was to specifically work with a colour (eg. a plain square to match one of the colours in a multi striped tie) I've found it easier to take the tie into shops and hold it alongside the squares. It seems to be easier with blues and greens because pinks and orange are a nightmare! It's also nice that some of the really high fashion houses are selling narrower ties now, it means I can pick up my preferred older more wider bladed ones for significantly cheaper prices. Hope you're keeping warm, it's snowing up here so out come the cordovan shoes for a Sunday lunch outing later! Kind regards, Rob.
Hi Rob, glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your recommendations to friends. Colours are very often an issue when buying something online, very often the person taking the photo is an amateur with limited lighting equipment, but i have found in some cases that the photos have been done to so much lighting to emphasis the colours in the item, that when the item actually arrives in natural light it seems a lot duller. you suggestion to plan and take your tie with you is a great one. I can make the odd spontaneous purchase now and again, especially when walking down Jermyn Street or get a fixed idea by seeing some other window display and rush to buy it or find something similar later, only to realise on return home I don't quite have the right pocket square to compliment it. 😄😆😄 I find multi coloured paisley patterned pocket square resolve most issues, true I have found pinks to be very awkward to match of pair as well. It's raining down here, so it's a wax jacket and my trusty brogue dealer boots for a beach walk with my wife and greco the dog. Have a great day and make sure you care for those lovely shoes on return home 👍🙂
Good comment, Rob. I think you have been reading my mind! I found myself uttering : `Yep, been there and done that a few times, and have the duds in my wardrobe to prove it!' I also chuckled at the real reason you so approved of stores now selling narrower ties. You and me both! All the best, John
That's fantastic news Bob, and I assume they way you describe them you are talking about looking to get a suit with an additional pair of matching pants as well. That is a wise decision, as the trousers wear more than the jacket, I would recommend that when you wear the suit alternate the wear of both pairs of trousers every other wear, so that both the pairs of trousers wear equally to the jacket. It is ill advised to wear a new pair of suit trousers with a suit jacket that shows more signs of wear. The colours fade and the new trousers would look darker and crisper contrasting the Jacket. Whereas by alternating the wear of both of the suit trousers with the jacket should leave them all matching still. 👍🙂
Hi there, you can get some great deals with second-hand and even Charity shops (thrift stores) sell new items on occasion, the great thing about charity shops (thrift stores) is that you can actually see the item and make an informed choice, based on what you see, whereas with buying online it is down to the quality of the images, so it is really important to scrutinise those images before buying👍🙂
Hi Chris, I just have subscripted to your channel. I like to use eBay for my ties and pocket squares. You get the greater quality and better looking pieces of clothing when you buy vintage. I live in the US State of Wisconsin and went to department store lately. The ties there were all made from polyester with the price tag of a silk one. I stay with online shopping. Keep up the good work. I like your videos.
Thank you for your comments and for your subscription 🙂 Very true, you can get some great deals on eBay, there are other platforms, but eBay is one of the largest and mote established platforms, I have found with Facebook - Marketplace can be hit or miss. Whether buying new or pre-worn/vintage the quality tends to be good for the price and choice is greater than in a store. I would note a lot of stores now stock polyester and other manmade materials rather than natural materials - to reduce the cost. Polyester ties and pocket squares have been around for a lot of years now and they do have their purpose in cheap menswear. I would always support someone wearing a polyester tie they like than someone not wearing a tie and maybe they will migrate to wearing silk, wool or cotton ties in the future. Great to hear from you and glad you are enjoying the videos👍🙂
It is not absolutely necessary, but I would say they by not wearing one, its a missed opportunity to add a pop of colour and is the mark of a sartorially, intentional well dressed person. 👍🙂
Half the fun of having a bow tie is to practice tying one and there are many video's of how to do this online, but I would recommend this video tutorial by Tim from the Big Pretty Man that might encourage or inspire you to try it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--a9eq7X3HYo.htmlsi=2-63RxgAl5DsZMrF
Chris's suggestion is spot-on, I also found it helpful to practice by tying the bowtie around my knee. Once the technique becomes automatic, tying it around your neck will be a breeze. BTW, wash your hands with plain soap and water and dry them thoroughly before handling a tie or bowtie. This will help prevent the natural oils, sweat and dirt on your fingers from staining the tie fabric. Good luck!
