Zegna Twin Tie
If choosing one tie is a major fashion crisis, take two instead. Ermenegildo Zegna, the Italian couturier, makes that exceedingly easy to do with its Twin Tie, designed by Daniele di Montezemolo. The clever piece of neckwear ties two ties into one happening cravat by matching two different colors and patterns on either end of one tie.
The front blade is one pattern. The back blade, in the same size and shape, is the other. Choose one fabric to wear in front, and the second lurks behind ready to pop out at a moment's notice. Say you've tossed all your ties in a rash moment during the dress-down days and are looking to refill your collection in a hurry. Choose the side you want and tuck the back blade into the loop and you've instantly doubled your tie options. Travel with a Twin Tie and you can pack two neckwear options in the space you'd normally use for one.
Maybe you just want a conversational tie that doesn't involve your favorite football team's logo or dancing hula girls. This may be it. Let both blades fly loose and get ready to handle all the small talk. But fear not -- each end is tastefully color-coordinated to the other so you'll never come off gauche. Some ends are a solid version of a stripe in the other blade. Other patterns are flip-flopped, one color dominant on one end, the other holding sway on the other.
But why stop at mere chitchat. We suggest putting the Twin Tie to work in more useful ways. Imagine you need to sneak out of work to interview for another job. Turn the pattern around to the more conservative side, slap on a tie clasp and act all respectable. Then turn the tables again and return to work your chic self, as though nothing happened.
For the truly schizophrenic, Zegna also makes a tie with a traditionally shaped smaller blade. When you tie it correctly, your knot will show off the pattern of the hidden blade at your neck. (Instructions not included.)
For more information visit www.zegna.com.