MTO Ties from Brooks Brothers

[Hartline]

I received the flyer the other day, and in addition to the usual MTO/MTM shirts and suits, it says that Brooks will be doing special order ties this fall. I called over to the store at 346 Madison and spoke with one of the long-time salesmen in the shirt department who said that it is a trial program that will be done upstairs where the MTM suits are. (I don't know which floor that program is now.) I did not ask how much tweaking could be done or what the prices will be.

Time magazine’s article in April 2008 makes it sound like this type of program could be done by the company. Might be worth checking out.

[Hartline]

So, I went to the trunk show last week where the made-to-order tie program was making its debut. The program was not what I had hoped for, but it was better than it could have been. Let’s hope that the program is a success, and Brooks expands it.

I’ve tried the special order programs with E. Marinella (through Bergdorf) and Turnbull & Asser with varying amounts of success and disappointment for each.

Opportunity to Tweak (and obsess).

The salesman who was helping me was very upfront that the program right now is more a stock-special one than a made-to-order service. What I was looking for was a shorter tie with a thick lining, made in some interesting fabrics.

Currently on offer are three lengths in three widths in either the regular make or a seven fold make. There were also bow tie options in a couple of styles, but I don’t remember what they were. There is no opportunity to alter the lining, although choosing the seven fold option can produce a thicker tie. There is also no way to change the direction of the stripes.

Any Color You Want, As Long As It’s Black.

The swatch book was not panoply of fabrics from Vanners and/or David Evans alongside the very best that Como has to offer. There are three main categories: dots, reps (but no “jockeys”), and satins. Only silks. It was basically the swatch book from what is already available from downstairs on the first floor. What’s so special about this? Nothing. You just know that there are rolls of dead stock at the factory - ancient madders, foulards, neat Marinella-type, Hermes-type prints, challis, etc. This sad swatch book can be rolled out across every store, which is a real shame.

End Result

The prices were $85 to $175, and I don’t think there was a minimum order.
Since I went all the way to lower midtown on an ordinary Tuesday, I ordered a few in stripes that needed replacing and/or have gone missing. The salesman told me that the delivery time was three weeks. Not bad, since the Marinella delivery time was close to three months. Maybe the fast delivery time makes up for the boring selection.

The regular trunk show was going on for tailored clothing, and Martin Greenfield was there. It was is always a delight to talk with him and catch up. Unfortunately, all of the swatch books for cloth have been rebranded, and you really don’t know what is what. There was an “English” 14 oz book of tweeds and a worsted flannel book that were somewhat interesting. After talking to Martin for a while, two pair of work-a-day, odd trousers on the way.

[Concordia]

THanks for the update.

[HappyStroller]

Thank you, Sir, for your helpful report.

I can't help noticing that many international and national political leaders, top government officials and prominent bankers are putting on the best suit for projecting a politically innocent look this year - a navy blue suit with a white polka dot on blue tie. Bush's choice seems the best - his navy blue is nearer to medium navy and the polka dots are wider, helping him to distance himself from those more sophisticated Wall Street professionals.

[Mark Seitelman]

Eric,

Is Tommy Davis handling the MTO ties?

Best wishes,

Mark

[Hartline]

Hi Mark.

Oddly, the ties are upstairs where the MTM tailored clothing is, at least for now.