1930s TIES -- brocades (many photos)

[Marc Chevalier]

The necktie most associated with the 1930s is the woven (or embroidered) brocade, made in silk or rayon. Woven silk ties had always been around, but they tended to be more expensive than printed silks. Below is an example from just before 1920:

Brocades gained ground in the later 1920s, though they still were considered costly. Here are some examples from about 1928:

Finally, around 1930, several breakthroughs in loom machine technology made brocade fabrics inexpensive enough to be mass produced. The age of the brocade tie was born. The vast majority of brocades produced in the '30s were conservative, "neat" patterns, such as macclesfields and spitalsfields. Some examples are below:

As the decade progressed, Art Deco-inspired patterns appeared:

 

[Marc Chevalier]

More Art Deco:

Even stripes became intricate:

Paisley patterns were especially influenced by Art Deco:

Florentine, Gothic and even Persian designs were used:

Some patterns defy description. Indeed, they look like creatures found under a microscope:

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Nature heavily influenced brocade tie patterns. The undersea world was represented:

The plant kingdom:

And the insect kingdom:

Brocade ties practically disappeared after the late 1940s, only to regain popularity in the mid-1990s. Today, most of the ties sold in department stores are woven silk brocades. Most of their designs (if not their colors) come from 1930s patterns.


As you can see from my collection above, I love vintage brocade ties!

 

[Wild Root]

YES!!!

Right there with ya bud! They're some of my top favorite ties too! I'll have to post some photos of the ones I treasure! I must say, you have quite the collection my friend!

=WR=

 

[Wild Root]

Some of mine...

Here are the top's of the Brocades in my collection!

On the far left is a rare tie. It was originaly sold at Bulocks on Wilshire in LA. A true piece of LA/Hollywood history. The one on the far right is dark green, the photo didn't come out that good.

Sorry if these are a little dark but, this is the best I can do.

Green is one of the hardest colors to find in any vintage tie! Also, on the Right is my Roman Centurion tie. I also call it my "Roman Meal" tie.

Fish and Deco...

Now for the two most rare brocades in the collection! A purple 30's deco "Lightning bolt" pattern and this "2 for 1" tie. The "2 for 1" is from the 30's and is the same width on both sides! These are super hard to come by!

Just have to love this lable!

=WR=

 

[herringbonekid]

excellent ties fellas.
Wildroot, i especially like the 3 in the first photo of yours.
here's a few of mine....(i don't know if you include plaids under 'brocade' but one snuck in there anyway)

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Very nice ties, gentlemen.

Herringbonekid, those ties wouldn't be poised over a certain 40s british suit trousers, would they?

Still waiting to see the suit ...

Anticipatory,
bk

 

[herringbonekid]

no, those are black chalkstripes that have become divorced from their jacket.

ah yes, those photos......

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Great ties, Wild Root and Herringbonekid! Thanks for sharing them.

Jamespowers, we know you have some great brocade ties. Would you consider picking them out and showing them here?

If anyone else wants to share his brocades, the time is now!

 

[shindeco]

If I'm not careful, my computer is going to short out from drooling so much on the keyboard! Great pictures!!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Bring on the brocades! Let's see what you have. And of course, this isn't a contest; it's a way to learn from each other. A "visual education."

 

[Zach R.]

Hmm, so what would a tie be called if it had a raised pattern on the material itself, but the design on the tie wasn't part of the pattern?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I've seen different names for it. "Tone-on-tone" or "damask" seem to be the most common. I believe they were also called "jacquards", but don't quote me on it.

.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Some more woven silk (or rayon) brocade ties from the 1930s and '40s. The narrower ties below are from the '30s; the wider ones are from the '40s.

 

[Wild Root]

I have the one on the far right! It's a Pilgrim isn't it?

=WR=

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Yes, it is. And you should be in bed by now, Mr. Root! (And so should I.)

 

[Wild Root]

I knew it!!! So cool, I have something Marc has!

Yes, we should be sleeping right now but, who cares!

=WR=

PS. I'm going to bed right now.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Awsome shots guys... good job.

I have to post some of my stripes and plaids.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You go to bed too, Matt! It's 2:27 in the morning!

 

[herringbonekid]

Marc, interesting how, in the first photo, they've turned what is basically the same pattern (different colours) 90 degrees. you would think the tie-sewers would be under strict instructions at to which way the pattern should lie.