Recently, Drake’s has been slowly updating their website with their new spring-summer 2013 collection. The line is still somewhat small, and I suspect more items will be added in the coming weeks, but in the current collection are some new and notably unusual textured neckties. Those include some fine knot grenadines woven in a solid checkerboard pattern, as well as some made from a raw spun tussah silk. The second gives their grenadines a more apparent texture. One of them has even been set against a twill silk for heightened contrast.
I admit I’ve become more conservative in my tie choices, opting for simple foulards or striped silks when I have a chance. But these textures are amusing and interesting, and they remind me of how Michael Drake once said that his company was about English style, as interpreted by the French. That is, taking old, traditional English style, but putting in a bit of individuality and eccentricity. And even when they’re eccentric and innovative, I appreciate that Drake’s remains tasteful.
What I’m most excited about, however, are their seasonal handkerchiefs. I particularly like the Yacht Deco (get it?) design you see above, as well as some of the batik prints. Both, I think, would go very well with cotton or linen jackets. They also have two special handkerchiefs just for Valentine’s Day, but those matter less to you and me. To play off of a joke I heard from Voxsartoria, the kind of men who read and write about men’s pocket squares are typically the kind who have girlfriends with the last name .jpg.
As usual, if you want to see more new items from Drake’s, it’s worth checking out the stock at Mr. Porter and Barney’s New York. They’ll typically carry a few things here and there not available on Drake’s webstore.