The Making of a Turnbull & Asser Tie

Established in 1885, Turnbull & Asser has been the home of the finest silk ties for well over a century, and from that point our name is synonymous with timeless style and exemplary quality.

A good tie is formed of three sections – the blade, the gusset and the under end – but the end result is much more than the constituent parts. If you want to craft an exemplary tie, it must be done by hand.

Cutting the silk and the wool lining, stitching the seams, ironing out the creases and crinkles – if any of these stages is completed by a machine, the end product will not offer the same quality. From start to finish, choosing the weave to boxing and shipping, every Turnbull & Asser tie is made by the hands of someone extremely skilled in their craft, and every step takes place in England. Unlike other companies who might claim the same thing, Turnbull & Asser stand proudly true to their ‘Made in England’ label and everything it means.

The ties’ silk, which is woven for Turnbull & Asser in Suffolk, is carefully chosen and checked thoroughly for imperfections. Then our master cutter, a highly skilled craftsman with more than three decades of experience, will create the pieces.

The ties’ silk, which is woven for Turnbull & Asser in Suffolk, is carefully chosen and checked thoroughly for imperfections. Then our master cutter, a highly skilled craftsman with more than three decades of experience, will create the pieces. They’re cut diagonally to the bias of the fabric, which allows for better movement and retention of shape. Following this three outline pieces are joined together and the Turnbull & Asser signature paisley tipping is added to both ends. This is the only part of the making of the tie that is completed by sewing machine, from here every part is crafted by hand.

Once the basic tie shape is formed, it is pressed to remove even the slightest crinkles, and checked for any faults once again. From there it goes into the capable hands of our slip stitcher. With 17 years of experience, she fits the lining and creates the seam on the underneath, bringing everything together with deft fingers and an expert eye. This process is by far the most intricate of all stages, as each of the 80 central stitches must run between the folds to make sure it is invisible. Most ties use cotton thread to save on money, but Turnbull & Asser will use nothing but bonded nylon, matched to the exact colour of the silk fabric, which is much, much stronger.

Next, the labellers take the tie and apply the finishing touches, before it is handed to the quality-control team who inspect it once again. Turnbull & Asser prides itself on its level of perfection, with nothing leaving our workshop until our craftspeople are sure it is absolutely flawless.

The tie is more than just an essential accessory; it is a statement of a gentleman’s individual style and personality. Each is made with passion and care, from the finest materials by a team of expert craftsmen. That is exactly what you get from Turnbull & Asser.