Ties: Drakes vs Turnbull & Asser

What you always wanted to know about Elegance, but were afraid to ask!
Guest

Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:45 am

Drakes' ties cost a bit more (about £ 85 vs T&A's £70). Is the premium worth it? Perhaps T&A's ties aren't handmade? What about the quality of the materials?
Guest

Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:28 pm

In my experience, both are well made. Maybe the Drakes are better made, but I can't tell.

Drakes ties are a bit narrower. They also seem to have a more trendy selection of designs.

As a side note, Drakes is having a sale on their website, with a handful of ties discounted significantly.
Guest

Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:30 pm

I have ties from both.
There is nothing to distinguish between them in terms of quality.
On the other hand, both use a variety of silks and make in a variety of widths and with different lining thicknesses.
Let that be your guide.

dopey
Guest

Sun Feb 22, 2009 6:55 pm

I thought that Drakes made the ties for TA.
Guest

Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:21 pm

Anonymous wrote:I thought that Drakes made the ties for TA.
T&A has its own factory in Sarf London.
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:46 pm

I have both, and I like both. I would give a slight edge to Drake's.

It seems that Drake's uses a fuller lining which give the ties a thickness. In comparison, Turnbull uses a thiner wool lining. Turnbull's tie tend to be flatter. This is so even for its wool ties.

In addition to the thickness, I prefer some of Drake's conservative designs which go well with a patterned shirt. In comparison, the Turnbull tie tends to have too much color and too many things going on, and it is too much with a Turnbull patterned shirt.

Turnbull issued a handsome promotional book a few years ago which was available in the store. The inside back cover shows how Turnbull makes its ties.

Drake's website has a discussion as to how it makes its ties.

Good luck.

Mark E. Seitelman
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:46 pm

I agree that TA ties are so loud, so Jermyn Street, as to make my ears bleed.

But where can one buy Drakes ties? They don't have a retail presence anywhere do they?
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:52 pm

Anonymous wrote:But where can one buy Drakes ties? They don't have a retail presence anywhere do they?


I found this on Drakes website.

http://www.drakes-london.com/agents.php

Best Regards,

Cufflink79
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:54 pm

Also, WM Fox & Co. in Washington DC sells Drakes ties as well.

http://www.wmfox.com/

Best Regards,

Cufflink79
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:23 pm

Thanks for that information.

I guess that Drakes only sells through retailers, and doesn't have a retail presence itself.
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:42 pm

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for that information.

I guess that Drakes only sells through retailers, and doesn't have a retail presence itself.
If you scroll up, you will see the URL to their website, which includes an internet shop.
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:55 pm

In the US, Drake's also sells at Barneys NY and at Ben Silver. They also make the ties sold by Emma Willis in London. The "Michael Drake" line was sold at Saks a few seasons ago, not sure if it is now.
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:21 pm

I believe that Drakes makes for New & Lingwood and provided the madder ties to Budd.

I'll note that their new style is 8cm as opposed to 9 cm width, I'm not sure that i like it.

DDM
Guest

Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:06 pm

Anonymous wrote:I have both, and I like both. I would give a slight edge to Drake's.

It seems that Drake's uses a fuller lining which give the ties a thickness. In comparison, Turnbull uses a thiner wool lining. Turnbull's tie tend to be flatter. This is so even for its wool ties.



Mark E. Seitelman
I tend to find that heavyweight silk as used by TA & Drakes, paired with a thick wool lining, add up to a bulky tie. Not sure that I like that look as the knot tends to be too big for me ( even when using 4 hand) and the tie hangs down rather straight and heavy.

On the other hand, Charvet tends to be a bit flimsy.

Marinella and some Italians strike a happy medium but I find the Marinella prints rather boring and mundane, and now a cliche as they don't vary much at all.

My vote would be for the elan of Drakes' patterns but with a minimum lining.

p.s. I think that yes they do make the Willis ties but these are sold at a bit of a mark up over the Drake on line store; also agree with the 8/9 cm. issue. above. 9 to be preferred.
Post Reply
  • Information
  • Who is online

    Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 78 guests