Ancient Madder Paisley/Foulard Ties: Yay or Nay?

[jrd617]

Most paisley ties I've come across are made from Ancient Madder silk. The patterns are kind of an acquired taste. Pretty "Trad," right?

Master-Classter: any good illustrations in the archives?

 

[Journeyman]

Definitely "Yay". I've got one from Brooks Brothers and it is great.

 

[idfnl]

Really? I seen 1000's and 1000's of ties and rarely come across ancient madder. Foulard yes, Bert Pulitzer makes a lot of those but madder isn't very common. Most Madder ties I see are R Talbott and a few are Bert Pulitzer. I know Drakes still makes them.

Anytime I list one it sells within a day. Its pretty sought after. I have a few in my personal collection.

 

[DocHolliday]

A lot of them are ugly, but I guess that's true of ties in general. Nice ones are great.

 

[Threadbearer]



Most paisley ties I've come across are made from Ancient Madder silk.

Not all madders are paisleys and vice-versa. Like ties in every category, some are nice, some aren't. If I were you, I wouldn't write off madders just because I saw a few paisleys that didn't crank my tractor.

(How ironic is it that I'm giving tie advice?)

 

[forex]

TB, those ties are awesome.I have the first one made by Drakes and like it a lot.

 

[SimonC]

I've got the lower (red and blue) Drakes tie and wore it yesterday. Whilst it's the exception to the rule, my problem is generally that madder ties with their darker tones don't stand out very much, and indeed seen from a distance can appear monotone. Best worn as part of an autumnal palette with heavier suitings such as flannel.

 

[Sam Hober]



Not all madders are paisleys and vice-versa. Like ties in every category, some are nice, some aren't. If I were you, I wouldn't write off madders just because I saw a few paisleys that didn't crank my tractor.

Threadbearer,

Well said.

Madder ties are typically thought of as having traditional paisley designs but can have other designs.

The Madder finish that was used for many years in England has not been used in a long time - perhaps 10 years? Due to environmental laws.

Natural dyes are not typically used in madder silks although salesmen may tell you something else.

Natural madder dye can have various shades depending how the root is treated.

 

[jrd617]

A closeup shot:

 

[Gdot]

I love madder ties - the subtlty of the finish and colorations are very sophisticated. Even with rather busy paisley patterns. To me their finish is perfect with fall/winter jacket fabrics.

The only struggle I have with them is finding pocket squares that I like with them. As I try not to use a silk square with a silk tie and I'm not so fond of plain white squares with tweeds.

Any suggestions for squares?

 

[Pliny]

I like them to wear casually - usually have them peeping out behind plain rough fabric : cardi or tweed

 

[jrd617]

 

[Moss]



I like them to wear casually - usually have them peeping out behind plain rough fabric : cardi or tweed

These are Hobers. Correct?

Your photograph does a nice job of showing the texture and subtle sheen of ancient madder.

 

[Von Franz]

Yes, absolutely.
They are some of my favorite ties.

-VF

 

[celeste_pista]

ostensibly monochromatic...yet hte intricacies reveal a wide array...enable unusual suit/sweater/shirt pairings...unusual, i like...yay.