Shantung — a silk that refuses to be smooth

Shantung is a silk that declines to be polished. The tussah silkworm feeds on oak rather than mulberry leaves, producing shorter and more irregular fibres — and it is precisely these irregularities, visible as fine raised slubs on the surface, that are shantung's defining characteristic. Slubs are not production defects; they are the natural evidence of the fibre. Each shantung bow tie is therefore unique in this respect. The cloth has a crisper handle than smooth jacquard silk, a subtle matte sheen and a pronounced surface structure that gives the bow tie presence and distinction without the need for any pattern.

Between formality and ease

A shantung bow tie occupies an interesting position in the hierarchy of formality — more refined than cotton or wool, yet less formally assertive than a smooth jacquard silk. This makes it a natural choice with linen and tweed suits, unstructured jackets and ensembles where elegance without excessive formality is the aim. In earthy tones — light brown, rust, bottle green — shantung enters into an especially natural dialogue with other natural cloths.

The collection and finishing

Five shantung bow ties are available in the Tiestore.pl collection — violet, light brown, rust, blue and green with white stripes — in both self-tie and adjustable versions. Every bow tie is handmade in Warsaw in standard sizes suited to a range of face and collar proportions. The atelier will make a shantung bow tie in a non-standard size or colour on individual commission. Craft and design at the highest level.