1990's Mens Neckties - Designer Ties by Ralph Marlin, Tommy Bahama & Nicole Miller Show Fluctuations in Width

Ties were all sorts of widths during the 60’s. The early years continued the trend toward even thinner ties than those made in the 1950’s, with the manufacture of neckties as skinny as once inch, whereas by the mid 1960’s they ballooned to up to six inches wide! Think about that for a moment: from 1 to 6 inches in a period of a few years! The super fat neckwear was known as Kipper ties and the wider the better. It’s hard to say who came first, the skinny tie or the thin tapered suit, but the two “suited” one another just fine! Likewise the wider ties matched the wide lapels and bell bottom pants many a man wore during this time.

The width of men’s ties also fluctuated during the 1990’s but not as dramatically. Several necktie designers provide clues.

Ralph Marlin & Co. Ties

This company prints the name and the year any given tie is produced on the back. Thin narrow neckties ruled the 80s, ranging from 1 ½ to 3 ¼ inches. Ralph Marlin ties were 3 to 3 ¼ inches wide from 1990 through some part of 1993, expanding to 3 ¾ for the next few years through 1997. Then in 1998 and 1999 their neckwear settled in at 3 ¾ and 4 inches from corner to corner at the tip.

Tommy Bahama & Liz Claiborne Neckwear

Some of the Tommy Bahama and Liz Claiborne designer neckties were wider during the 90’s. Unfortunately, unlike Ralph Marlin, they do not include dates anywhere on their ties. I have encountered several Bahamas ranging in the 4 ¼ and 4 ½ inch range, all with depictions of tropical scenes including flamingos, hula dancers, orchid flowers and beaches. They have a retro 1940’s look not only in their girth but also in their construction. The thin ends flare out as they did with 40’s era neckwear. So, too, the Claiborne neckties expanded to 4 ½ inches wide, as with a floral tie I found made by that designing firm.

Nicole Miller Ties Offer More Clues

Nicole Miller started out as a clothing and accessory designer before branching out. Her ever popular ties continue to be produced today. Her neckwear in the 1990’s featured a loop label and the year any given tie was released, so it is very easy to follow the expansion and contraction of the width of these accessories during this decade.

I have personally seen Miller’s art auction, pizza, golf and casino novelty ties made in 1990, and they are all 3 ¾ inches wide. In 1991, 1992 and 1993 her neckwear ranged from 3 ¾ to 4 inches based on her license plate, football, Absolute vodka, New York City subway, cow, alcohol, dentist, Austin Texas, court room and real estate themed neckties made during this time.

Then in 1994, 1995 and 1996 some remained 4 inches while others widened to 4 ¼ and 4 ½ inches. By 1997 all that I have ever seen were four inches, these including the airport luggage, Wall Street and cigar novelty themes.

In Conclusion

While the width of men’s ties didn’t change as dramatically in the 90’s as it did in the 60’s, it is worth noting when trying figure out when a tie was made. Generally anyone wearing a necktie 3 ¼ to 4 inches wide was pretty much safe with their fashion statement.