Jeremy Hackett - The Mr Classic Blog

I was recently asked what would be the fashion fabrics for ties this Autumn, well it's not so much about fabric as width, though tweed ties will be popular. I have noticed recently that when looking down at my tie it has appeared too broad so I asked my tie maker to make me something a little narrower. I'm not talking skinny, too boy band, just a subtle shift.

Ties have generally been going through a difficult period due to the dress down phase. Which reminds me of the time when I made a reservation for lunch at Wiltons fish restaurant in Jermyn St - a pleasingly unfashionable eatery. I was informed when making the booking that gentlemen were no longer required to wear ties - so being of a subversive nature I decided that I would of course wear one. When I arrived I noted that every man dining there had blatantly disregarded the new relaxed dress code and to a man were dressed appropriately in ties; my fish that day was more delicious than ever before.

Talking of fish, many years ago I was fortunate to meet Mr Fish, the flamboyant and wildly eccentric fashion designer credited with inventing the Kipper tie. A hugely wide tie that was fashionable in the late 1960s and early 70s, a moment of optimism, which leads me to believe that the narrow tie is indicative of the times we now live in, a more austere world which requires that we dress more formally. But am I being narrow minded? Are Kipper ties are just around the corner, perhaps?

A word on shirts, pockets and formalwear: when wearing a double-cuff dress shirt, remember that it should not have a pocket on the front. No evening dress shirt should have a pocket.

However, it is acceptable on a button cuff shirt, which are not as formal and are therefore designed with more practical purposes in mind - pockets are useful, after all.

For a selection of button cuff shirts in both business and casual style, see the current selection available on the Hackett website.