Grabatology: The Art of Collecting Ties for the Modern Gentleman
The feel of silk between your fingers. Intricate patterns that reveal generations of stories. Grabatology weaves craftsmanship, art, and sartorial history into a hobby for the modern gentleman. But collecting ties isn't all about amassing the most ties you can get your hands on. It's about building a collection you wear with thought and care. Let us show you how.
Image Credit: Aklasu Ties
Jericho Bundac
The subtle weight of the silk in your palm. The intricate, understated pattern that reveals itself upon closer inspection. There's a generation's worth of stories woven into each handcrafted tie. It's not a surprise that many have taken up the art of collecting ties (grabatology).
For the discerning collector, ties represent more than mere accessories. They're artifacts of craftsmanship, personal expression, and sartorial history. They're pieces of wearable art.
Let's travel to the fascinating world of grabatology. We'll talk about the activity of collecting ties and the motivation behind it. Then we'll move to the pieces a modern gentleman should consider when building their tie collection, but from an Aklasu point of view. Let's get started.
What is Grabatology?
Don't be ashamed if you've never heard of grabatology. You're not alone. This term refers to the hobby of collecting ties. It's a pastime that has captivated style enthusiasts, collectors and connoisseurs for decades. Like philatelists with stamps or numismatists with coins, tie collectors develop an expert eye for quality and rarity. But there's more to a grabatologist's motivations.
The Joy of Collecting Ties
Grabatologists appreciate ties for their functional purpose. But their desire to collect them stems from a desire to celebrate their craftsmanship, artistic merit and, for some pieces, historical relevance.
A Piece of Men's Style History
A tie within a collection can tell a story of its era. From the wide, bold patterns of the 1970s to the slim, minimalist designs of the early 2000s, ties chronicle the evolution of men's style. By curating your collection, you become a custodian of sartorial history.
A Canvas for Personal Expression
Your tie collection reveals your taste, appreciation for craftsmanship, and even personality. One collector might focus on repp stripes and subtle patterns, while the more adventurous grabatologist might seek out bold artistic prints or limited-edition collaborations.
A Celebration of Craftsmanship
When you hold a handcrafted six-fold tie made from exquisite silk, you immediately understand why connoisseurs invest in quality. Collecting ties educates your eye and hand about what exceptional craftsmanship means. You learn to appreciate the precision of hand-stitching, the drape of properly cut bias, and the subtle ways master craftspeople manipulate materials to create pieces that last for generations.
A Legacy to Pass Down
Unlike other collections that gather dust or rust, quality ties remain functional pieces that can be enjoyed and worn. A thoughtfully assembled collection becomes something meaningful to pass down. Like family stories or knowledge, a tie can serve the next generation's weddings, first days of work and other milestones.
The Aklasu Approach to Grabatology: Ties as Tools
As fascinating as it sounds to amass an extensive collection of ties, it's ultimately a tool. A tie elevates your suit for a wedding. It completes a confident outfit for a presentation. It radiates attention to detail and sophistication to everyone you meet. But you don't need to set the Guinness World Record with 21,321 ties.
By all means, celebrate history, craftsmanship, and personal expression. But our approach to grabatology also includes building a collection with meaning and purpose. Here are the ties that we would include in our collection:
The Classic Grenadine: With its distinctive textured weave created on traditional looms in Como, Italy, grenadine ties offer subtle sophistication with remarkable versatility. Their texture provides visual interest, making them perfect for business and formal occasions.
The Luxurious Six-Fold: Unlike standard ties with lining, six-fold ties are crafted by folding the silk upon itself six times, creating unparalleled structure and drape. These marvels represent the pinnacle of tie craftsmanship, with a substantial feel that signals quality to everyone.
The Elegant Shantung: Woven from textured raw silk with characteristic irregular slubs, Shantung ties offer a refined yet slightly rustic appearance. Their natural texture makes them particularly striking for special occasions and evening wear.
The Heritage Repp Stripe: Originally signifying specific British regiments or clubs, repp stripe ties now represent timeless style with their diagonal patterns on ribbed silk. A collection without at least one classic repp is simply incomplete.
The Vintage Find: A tie collection benefits from pieces with history. Vintage ties from renowned makers offer glimpses into past design aesthetics while often showcasing craftsmanship techniques rarely seen in modern production.
Check out eBay or peruse your local consignment stores. You never know what you might find. The thrill of the hunt is part of the fun of grabatology.
But if the hunt doesn't appeal to you, you can simply add to your collection by shopping online. We've put together a set of grenadine ties that celebrate heritage and craftsmanship while making you look sharp, from graduations to job interviews to weddings. Take a closer look at the Set for Life collection:
Caring for Your Tie Collection
No matter your approach to collecting ties, you want to take care of them. After all, your tie tells a story about you. Make it a story of sophistication. Here are two effortless (yet essential) steps to keep your distinguished tie collection immaculate for decades.
Step 1: Unknot Your Tie - Never leave your tie knotted for extended periods of time. Take a few seconds to unknot it and avoid permanent creases.
Step 2: Never Fold, Always Roll - Folding or hanging your tie will cause stress lines that ruin silk forever. Instead, roll that beauty up and store it in an Aklasu Canister or your drawer.
Whether you're drawn to the historical significance of vintage pieces, the exquisite craftsmanship of Italian silks, or simply the aesthetic pleasure of beautiful patterns, grabatology offers endless opportunities for discovery, expression, and appreciation.
Just don't let your collection sit somewhere and gather dust. Wear your collection. Unlike some collectibles meant only for display, ties fulfill their purpose when paired with appropriate attire and worn with confidence. Add to the tie's story every time you wear it.
