Fit
Perfect Length
A made-to-measure tie falls exactly at belt level, with no adjustment needed. The length is tailored to your height (145cm for 1m70, 160cm for 1m90).
Style guide · Atelier Mesure, Paris 7th
Made-to-Measure Tie
The accessory that reveals your personality. The made-to-measure tie adapts to your build for a flawless drape and effortless elegance.
15 chapters5 rules6 min read
Introduction
The tie is the only truly personal accessory in formal dress. While suit and shirt follow strict codes, the tie expresses your personality. A made-to-measure tie offers a length tailored to your height, a width proportionate to your build and your lapels, and fine fabrics chosen to your taste. Pair your tie with a made-to-measure shirt and your business suit or wedding suit. Complete the look with a coordinating pocket square. Discover all our suit accessories. Choosing the right tie according to context and occasion.
Proportion
Proportionate Width
The tie width harmonises with your lapels and your build. Standard 8-9cm, but 7cm for smaller frames, 10cm for broader shoulders.
Quality
Seven-Fold Silk
A quality tie is made of seven-fold silk: 7 layers of silk for the ideal thickness, drape and knot. Without inner lining, it is 100% pure silk.
Daily Business
ProfessionalSolid or discreetly patterned ties (small dots, fine stripes). Navy, burgundy, grey. Avoid bright colours and large patterns. The tie should not be a distraction in meetings.
Key Presentations
ImpactA solid tie in a power colour (red, burgundy, dark navy). No patterns - you want the audience focused on your message, not your tie.
Weddings & Events
CelebrationCreative freedom is welcome. Discreet floral patterns, refined jacquard, pastel shades for spring weddings. Coordinate with the pocket square without matching exactly.
Smart Casual
RelaxedKnitted, linen or wool ties. A more relaxed knot (a loosely tied four-in-hand). Ideal for creative settings, elegant lunches, smart casual events.
Job Interviews
CareerA restrained solid silk tie in navy or burgundy projects confidence and seriousness without drawing attention away from you. The half-Windsor knot, symmetrical and measured, completes a polished professional silhouette.
Official Ceremonies
ProtocolAward ceremonies, institutional audiences and diplomatic occasions call for a dark, solid silk tie. The restraint of the pattern underscores respect for protocol and the wearer's elegance.
Formal Dinners
EleganceFor dinners in town or formal receptions, a silk jacquard tie brings depth and refinement. Coordinated with the pocket square without being matched, it reveals your mastery of dress codes.
Knots & Wearing Techniques
Savoir-faireFrom the asymmetric four-in-hand to the majestic Windsor, each knot transforms the look of your tie. Mastering two or three knots allows you to adapt your style to the shirt collar and occasion with ease.
The cuts
- Classic TieBusiness & FormalStandard
- Width 8-9cm, length 150-160cm depending on height. Standard pointed tip. The universal tie for the office and formal occasions.
- Slim TieModernContemporary
- Width 6-7cm for a contemporary look. Best suited to slender builds and creative settings. Less formal than the classic.
- Knitted TieSmart CasualRelaxed
- Flat tip, consistent 6cm width. A vintage-modern style. Ideal with a smart casual suit; not appropriate for very formal contexts.
Materials
The fabric determines the look, drape and durability of your tie. Pure silk remains the standard choice, but other materials suit particular seasons and occasions.
- Plain Silk
- The most versatile tie. Grenadine (woven texture) or satin (smooth sheen). Navy, burgundy or grey for maximum versatility.
- Patterned Silk
- Dots (pin dots small, medium dots), stripes (repp stripes, club ties), geometric motifs, discreet floral prints. Measured personality.
- Silk Jacquard
- Woven patterns (not printed) for texture and depth. Highly refined, ideal for weddings and events. A superior level of detail.
- Knit
- A knitted tie with a flat tip. Relaxed vintage style. Ideal for a smart casual suit or creative context. Less formal.
Fabric weights
- Pure SilkStandard
- The classic fabric for a formal tie. Subtle sheen, impeccable drape, easy knot. Silk twill for texture, silk satin for lustre. 7-fold for optimum quality.
- Wool & CashmereWinter
- For autumn-winter ties. Matte texture, visual warmth, a smart-casual feel. Ideal with tweed or flannel. A fuller knot.
- Linen & CottonSummer Casual
- For summer and casual ties. A natural matte appearance with visible texture. Less formal than silk, ideal with a linen or cotton suit. Creases naturally.
The details
- 7-Fold Construction
- 7-fold silk
- 7 pieces of silk folded and sewn - no foreign lining
- Hand-finished stitching
- Central slip stitch sewn by hand for flexibility
- Bar tack
- Hand-sewn bar tack at the back of the narrow blade
- Weight
- Heavier than a 3-fold, providing a superior drape and durability
- Tie Knots
- Four-in-hand
- The simple asymmetric knot - the most versatile and easiest
- Windsor
- Large symmetrical knot - for wide collars and broader builds
- Half-Windsor
- A compromise between the simple and the Windsor - elegant and balanced
- Pratt (Shelby)
- A discreet symmetrical knot - well suited to thicker ties
- Coordinations
- With a plain shirt
- A patterned tie is welcome - dots, stripes, prints
- With a striped shirt
- A solid tie is recommended - or very small patterns
- Contrast rule
- Tie darker than the shirt, lighter than the suit
- Pocket square
- NEVER matching - colour coordination yes, same fabric no
- Care
- Storage
- Loosely rolled or hung - never tightly folded
- Cleaning
- Specialist silk dry cleaning only - never machine wash
- De-creasing
- Steam at a distance - never iron directly on silk
- Rotation
- 48-hour rest between wears - let the silk recover
Care
- After Wearing
- Untie the tie completely (never pull the knot). Roll it loosely or hang it. Allow at least 48 hours of rest before wearing it again.
- Storage
- Keep ties rolled in a drawer or hung on a dedicated tie hanger. Avoid tight folds that create permanent marks. Store away from direct light.
- Lifespan
- A well-maintained 7-fold tie lasts 10-15 years. Rotating 10-15 ties means wearing each one only 20-30 times per year, maximising longevity.
Made-to-Measure Tie Investment
BudgetA made-to-measure silk tie starts from EUR 70. For a jacquard or unique printed silk tie, expect EUR 180-300. Compared to EUR 30-70 for an off-the-peg tie, made-to-measure offers a perfect length and superior quality.
Key takeaways
Golden Rules of the Tie
- The tip of the tie should touch the belt buckle - neither higher nor lower
- The narrow blade should never extend beyond the wide blade - tuck it into the keeper
- The knot should be proportionate to your neck - Windsor for a broad neck, four-in-hand for a slender neck
- A tie is loosened by pulling the knot, not the blades - this preserves its shape
- Remove the tie as soon as you remove the jacket - wearing a tie without a jacket looks clumsy
Frequently asked questions
Before you begin.
The price depends on the silk, lining, width and construction chosen. For a complete outfit, a made-to-measure suit starts from EUR 980 and a made-to-measure shirt from EUR 150.
A lead time of 4 to 5 weeks is recommended when the tie is part of a full outfit. This allows the fabric, shirt and suit to be coordinated before delivery.
The consultation appointment allows you to define the width, length, material, pattern and intended knot type. Proportions are adjusted according to your build and shirt collar.
Silk remains the benchmark for ceremonies, formal dinners and key presentations. A grenadine or jacquard texture adds depth without weighing down the outfit.
It is suited to weddings, official ceremonies, interviews, formal dinners and key presentations. The choice of pattern and colour allows you to move from a business register to a more dressed-up appearance.
Create Your Made-to-Measure Ties
Express your personality with perfectly proportioned ties crafted from superior silk.
Further reading
