Charvet: Very Nice Ties

A Charvet formal silk tie featuring a mesmerising blue dotted pattern with subtle shading. This remains one of @shirtingfantasy's absolute go-to items for injecting a dash of sartorial excitement into an otherwise mundane Monday.

Recently, a discerning reader slid into @shirtingfantasy’s direct messages, sparking a spirited debate on shoes, shirts, and ties.

When the topic naturally drifted towards "the best ties in the world", the usual suspects - Tie Your Tie, Drake's, and Vanda Fine Clothing - promptly made an appearance. While both parties agreed that certain Italian marques are perhaps less thrilling than their romanticised provenance might suggest, and that Vanda crafts truly exceptional handmade neckwear, @shirtingfantasy holds a steadfast conviction: Charvet’s formal silk ties are practically irreplaceable. That is, of course, assuming you do not have a penchant for wearing small, printed animals across your chest.

Charvet's formal ties are characterised by their substantive silk - thick, lustrous, and immensely satisfying to the touch. The interlining is always judged to absolute perfection, yielding what is arguably the best-in-class dimple. Forget those unlined Italian seven-folds for a moment; their silk often simply collapses under the tension of a tight knot, leaving a "nonchalant" look that is about as charming as the occasional manufacturing quirks born of their utterly handmade nature.

As the sartorial grapevine recently buzzed, Charvet was acquired by Chanel - serendipitously, right before the Mr Porter summer sale commenced. A few of @shirtingfantasy's more astute friends seized this golden opportunity to acquire a handful of discounted Charvet ties (which remains the most painless way to procure them unless one happens to reside in France). With the new corporate overlords settling in, it remains uncertain just how long this storied shirtmaker will continue to produce these magnificent ties to their current exacting standards.

Current offerings on MrPorter.com

On a somewhat tangential note, Drake's is currently making rather splendid shirts (arguably offering better value than their now eye-wateringly expensive ties), just as Charvet makes extraordinary ties (offering vastly superior value compared to their bespoke shirts). We truly live in a wonderfully haphazard menswear universe, where heritage brands no longer necessarily excel solely in the very items that forged their legendary names.

So, until Charvet inevitably begins churning out quilted handbags or seasonal high fashion, let us cherish their sublime silk ties while we still can.