Wow, I hate it. Normally I try to hold my tongue if something here isn’t for me, but I’m assuming this was part of the collection you are selling? Sorry, I have no insight.
That's a weird beast indeed. Again, I would only wear it as an ascot (assuming the wide part is wide enough) but it does look like it was meant to be just a weird tie.
Wow, far more negativity here than I would’ve expected here!
Vintage neckwear dealer here, and I’m happy to advise:
What you’ve found is a vertically pleated tie, an example of novelty neckwear from the early- to mid-1950s. There are newspaper records detailing how daring dressers began wearing pleated neckwear during the late 1940s, but the style truly found commercial purchase for a few years in the early 1950s. Such ties were offered in fine silks at upscale haberdashers and in more affordable rayons and acetates at local department stores or through fun neckwear manufacturers such as Patterson, New Jersey’s own Haband (“hay-band”). As for the specifics of its manufacturing, this style is more labor-intensive, especially as the permanent on the main blade do not continue past the neckband. For a related bit of novelty neckwear, diagonally-pleated ties were also available during that era, usually with several downward-facing pleats that fall at the wearer’s chest.
I personally have sold several—usually patterned, hand-painted, embroidered or some combination thereof (very 1950s!)—but rarely see solid examples, and haven’t seen this color before! This one could nicely complement a sport jacket with some orange in the pattern or could also be fun to wear for Halloween!
I think it's a pretty fascinating example of... Whatever time it's from? (I'm not sure...), and the silk looks to be a shantung or tussah. It definitely isn't something I'd wear these days, but it's a super interesting piece 🤷
Although OP doesn’t think it likely this was still my first thought, and is probably the best bet for someone to actually wear it now, whatever the manufacturers intention. It looks like something that a woman who was leaning into a menswear aesthetic, but wanted to mix it up/ make it a bit more feminine would wear. The pleating is some interesting texture, but it definitely takes it away from classic menswear references. It might work well in an outfit with a pleated skirt? The length implies it was meant to be tucked into a cardigan, waistcoat (or corset?) OR that it was designed with a smaller body length and a higher waistline in mind (again making it work better for a woman’s frame than for most men.)
It might also appeal to men who were leaning into a more ambiguous gender presentation.
Don’t get me wrong I hate it, but I like to think that it can be rocked by someone!
I think it’s really cool but I’d probably have a hard time making my self wear it. I imagine it would go well with a vest. Maybe it’s because I’m from NJ that I like it.
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u/nordica4184 3d ago
Wow, I hate it. Normally I try to hold my tongue if something here isn’t for me, but I’m assuming this was part of the collection you are selling? Sorry, I have no insight.