1990's Men's Ties - Designers Nicole Miller, Tommy Bahama & Ralph Marlin Show Their Changing Width

Neckties were all over the board during thesteady 4 inches, some widened to 4 1/4 and
1960's. In the early part of the decade the trendeven 4 1/2 inches. Four inch ties included the wine,
toward skinny and even skinnier ties continuedstock exchange, world cup 1994, birthday, Lipton
from the 50's, with the production of neckwearsoup mix, cigar, Pentium computers, nautical, and
as narrow as 1 inch while by the mid 60's theyreal estate themed accessories while the Kinkos,
ballooned to 6 inches wide! It was a time ofaccountant, bowling, NFL football and another wine
Kipper style neckties, and the wider the better! Itthemed measured at 4 1/4 inches and her DVX
didn't hurt that men's suits also transitioned fromsparkling wine neckwear was 4 1/2 inches wide.
thin lapels and tapered pant legs to wide lapels andBy 1997 everything seemed to settle down at 4
bell bottom slacks, and ties followed the fashioninches in width, as with Miller's airport luggage,
trend. The 1980's were a decade of the slimmercigar and Wall Street themes.
and the skinnier with widths in the 2 to 3 1/4 inchTommy Bahama & Liz Claiborne Neckties
range. What followed in the 1990's was almost asOther designing firms such as Tommy Bahama
schizophrenic as the 1960's when it came toand Liz Claiborne also manufactured wider
width.accessories during some time in the 1990's.
Nicole Miller Neckwear Provides CluesHowever, they didn't include dates. I've come
Nicole Miller is a fashion designer who created heracross one such floral Claiborne at 4 1/2 inches
own clothing and accessories in the early 80'swide and several Bahama ones 4 1/4 and 4 1/2
which have continue to be produced to this day.inches, all with tropical themes which include
Her line of neckties features a loop label with herorchids, hula dancers, flamingos, and beach scenes.
name and the year a particular tie was released,In fact, these particular ties hark back to their
so we can take the cue from this savvy designervintage counterparts of the 1940's with their
as to how things narrowed and expanded duringflared out thin ends! Other manufacturers followed
the 90's.suit with a general widening during this time.
In 1990 the width was a steady 3 3/4 inches. IRalph Marlin & Company Neckwear
have personally measured her art auction, casino,Leading into the 1990's, Ralph Marlin produced
Vito's pizza and frustrated-at-golf themed ties.neckties in the 3 to 3 1/4 "range. They remained
Please note that the descriptions are mine and Ms.in that area for the most part from 1990 through
Miller may have given them different names ata portion of 1993, and then expanded to 3 3/4
the time they were for sale. In 1991 half the tiesfor all of '94, '95, '96 and '97. All those
remained at 3 3/4 inches (her license plate andmanufactured in 1998 and 1999 were either 3 3
watching-a-football-game ones) while others were4 or 4 inches at the tip.
4 inches wide (another football themed andConclusion
Absolut Vodka neckwear).While there are no hard and fast rules as to the
In 1992 and 1993 her Manhattan, NYC, and cowswidth of ties during this decade, many ranged
themes measured at 3 3/4 inches while herfrom 3 to 4 1/2 inches, which isn't as drastic as
booze, dental office, Austin, Texas, court roomwhat occurred during the 60's, but still is worth
drama and real estate novelty neckties were 4the mention. For the most part, anyone wearing
inches from edge to edge at the tip. Not much ofanything 3 1/4 to 4 inches was safe with their
a change from the previous two years.fashion statement.
In 1994, 1995 and 1996 while many were a