Dear Simon,
Having read with great interest all your articles (over many, many hours – I am a late-comer to your site) I have been amassing information. Now that I have actually started to purchase clothes etc, the question I have of ties, which I intend to start wearing to work again, is how to look after them. With my latest acquisition, from Drakes, it came presented in a lovely box when ordered through the email. This lead to me think should it be stored flat. Then I remember reading that they should be stored rolled, on the other hand one can buy tie hangers almost everywhere which leads to even further confusion. Maybe I should go back to your Le Snob for there may be some comment in there as I am sure I recall reading something about storage.
So perhaps from time to time, you may wish to consider these points and inform those, like me, that know very little about decent clothes and how to look after them, for there is little out there to advise us. For example, I read a lovely little article in The Rake some time back in which Tim Everest explained how to store suits/jackets against moths. He advised using breathable suit covers (previously mine had all been cheap plastic) from Morplan, and then to use scented cedar balls and top them up from time to time with refresher oil. This instruction I have followed and feel a sense of duty to my better quality clothes which ultimately leaves me feeling, well, great.
Best
Bradley
Thanks for your question, Bradley. I’m pleased you are finding such reward in slowly building a high-quality wardrobe.
The answer on ties is pretty simple. Most ties should be stored hanging up, so that the day’s wrinkles fall out of them. The only exception is knitted or heavy woven ties, which can stretch if hung up – they should be rolled.
That is the stock advice. But I should also say that I usually hang my knitted ties, because I have no easy place to store them rolled, and I have noticed no deleterious effects over the past decade or so. People always say that knitted ties are cut shorter for that reason too – because they stretch over time – but I’ve never found any to stretch substantially and I wish they’d make them to a regular length.
Also, the beneficial effect of hanging a tie is largely worked out after a couple of days. So if it is easier for you to store ties flat or rolled up, just hang up the most recently worn and periodically slide them away into a drawer.
Tim’s advice on storage is good too. I like buying my favourite fragrance in an oil and using that to top up the cedar wood – it makes my clothes smell ever-so-subtly of me. And wards off moths. Do make sure to store your clothes clean as well – if you wear your suits rarely, you can dry clean them just this once a year.
Simon
Pictured: Cedar tie organiser, The Hanger Project
Dear Simon
Following on from Bradley’s question above, I rotate my suits on a weekly basis (ie they get worn just a little less than once per week) I leave them to hang outside the wardrobe for a day after use and then they get placed inside. Do you think that I be storing them in suit covers in the wardrobe as well – or are suit covers intended for longer storage periods?
Mark
Hi Mark,
There are marginal benefits to storing them in bags inside, such as a protection against moths and fewer creases. But I find it too frustrating that I cannot see my collection as whole.
It sounds like you’re doing very well. Don’t stress about the bags
Simon
I am not sure if this is the right post to ask this question but here it is anyway.
I am not fond of wearing ties and I don’t have to follow any business dress code at work. What are the alternatives to still dress well and stylish without a tie?
Thank you for your answer.
Good question Felipe. Perhaps one for a fuller answer as a post? What do you think?
I would love to read that post, thank you for addressing my question.
Best.
Simon, I’m amassing a beautiful collection of ties, mostly Drake’s, and wanted your advice on storing them. Most are to be hung, but what’s the best method?
Many thanks
Neil
Hang everything except perhaps knitted silks and wools. It is said hanging makes them stretch, but I’ve never noticed and they are all cut short anyway
Hi Simon are you aware of any companies that will make ties if I provide the material?
Dear Simon
I just bought a few silk ties from Turnbull and Asser.
I asked about Storage and they guided me to this answer “Although most people do, it is not advised to hang ties when storing them. Gravity takes over and creases can often result”
I was happy With this answer as I have a few draws espesially designed for tie storage…
But still slightly confused . Maybe you can give us some further advise?
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Either hanging or in draws is fine, it’s a tiny point. Hanging is meant to stretch ties more, but I’ve never noticed it.
I roll all of my ties.
That said, if your precious seven fold silk satin Turnbull and Asser tie comes in a nice presentation box, do you forgo the box and roll up your tie….or hang it up???