Question: Why are the most beautiful ties so expensive? I was shopping recently, and very few ties were under $85 and some were as much as $115-$125. But they're way less material than shirts or pants. What gives?

        Answer: Labor intense, that's what gives, says Chris Mitchell, a wardrobe consultant at the Florence Men's Wearhouse and a guy who knows how to triple-dimple a tie knot, you betcha.

        “With the outer fabric, it's the quality and weight of the silk,” he says. “Along with that, you have to consider how many layers of templates went on to create the colors and pattern. More layers mean more labor and a higher price. Hand-dying (as opposed to machine-dyed) drives up the price, and so does a vegetable dye,” as opposed to a synthetic.

        The weight and thickness of the lining play a role too: “The meatier the lining, the better the dimple, and the better the dimple (crease just below the knot) the higher the price. The best lining is silk; cheaper ties use a synthetic fabric.”

        Time-consuming hand-sewing costs more than machine-sewn, and a still more time-consuming slip stitch with silk thread costs even more. “Really serious money,” Mr. Mitchell says.

        Then there's the point at the tie's fat end. Hand-turning or folding makes the point much sharper, and you want that. But it also drives the price up.

        If you have a stupid question, send it to Ask a Stupid Question, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: knipenquirer@yahoo.com.

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