Definition of a Tie

It is always good to break down the words into their essential meanings before combining them for a new definition. Many people know that the odd shaped accessory men wrap around and tie a knot around the collar of their shirt is a necktie. Taking a look at the definition of the word “tie” as a verb and noun helps one better understand the phrase “vintage tie”.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, “to tie” means “to fasten by drawing together the parts or sides with strings or laces and knotting them”, such as “to tie one’s shoes”. It is also “to put a knot or bow”, such as “to tie a necktie”. As a noun, a tie can mean a necktie, which people sometimes write as “neck tie”, but has since been combined into one word.

Definition of Vintage

Vintage means “any group of collection of persons or things sharing certain characteristics”. “Vintage clothing” is described as originating from a previous era. Quite often a year is used in conjunction with the word “vintage” to identify that era, such as “that is a vintage 1950’s skinny rockabilly necktie”.

Practically every decade in the 20^th century has very identifiable characteristics when it comes to men’s vintage neckties. Ties from the 20’s and 30’s were short, woven, unlined and understated. The designs of 1940’s vintage neckwear were bright, loud and often printed onto fabric. The 1940’s also saw the birth of novelty ties. Ties in the 50’s and 60’s became very skinny; in contrast neckties from the late 60’s and 70’s were very wide. The 80’s swung back into skinny territory while the 90’s and today’s neckwear is normal width, that being in the 3 ½ to 4 inch range.

This is a simplistic overview of the last 100 years of men’s neckwear, since it is identifiable by more than just its length and width. For example, men's narrow neckties were produced before World War I, in the 50’s and 60’s, again in the 80’s, as well as today, so an expert would have to rely on other factors to distinguish them from one another, such as fabric, construction, labels, etc.

Confusion over Vintage versus Antique

Referring back to the dictionary, an antique is “an object having special value because of its age; especially, a work of art of handicraft that is over 100 years old”. Many people believe that something needs to be at least 100 year old to be an antique; otherwise it is vintage. The reason for the confusion comes from the various opinions experts and collectors hold as to what the cutoff point is. When it comes to clothing, anything produced before the 1920’s is considered to be an antique, yet a 20 year old car can also be an antique. Some people contend that clothes (and accessories for that matter) must be 20 to 25 years old to be vintage, which brings us to the 1980’s. When it comes to neckties, I would agree with that definition since there is a discernable difference between those produced in the 80’s versus the 90’s.

Conclusion

I hope that this quick overview sheds some light as to what a men’s vintage tie is. As I stated earlier, opinions vary as does a person’s experience at correctly describing vintage clothing, so it pays to have your facts straight, especially when shopping for vintage neckties.