Grey Matter - Merchant Fox Ties and Pins

A Tie to Raise Spirits

I'm gravitating towards tones at the moment — blacks and whites and all the greyness in between. Perhaps it's the book on the original dandies I read recently, with their rigid and non-colourful palette. It was a wake-up call. Outside of the summer hols period, I'll more soberly dressed, but maybe I've been lurching too far into foppishness of late. Oh, before I forget, I just made a note that I should reproduce some of Edith Sitwell's writing from English Eccentrics on notable macaronis, jessamies and dandies. Keep an eye out for it.

Pursuant to the preamble on tones, the Slate Houndstooth Fox Flannel tie (below) from the Merchant Fox appeals. Handmade in England and finished with black silk tips. The texture of the tie gives interest, and the shade of grey and size of blade gives timeless wear-ability.

Ageless and evergreen, one look at the tie and spirits rise and their dance is unrehearsed, which is what you should look for in a tie.

Pin for the Blazer

The tie must be accompanied by one of the Merchant Fox limited edition lapel pins and chains created in conjunction with men's outfitters Michael Jondral of Hanover, Lower Saxony. Wear it on your blazer (origin of the word blazer here) as in the top photo for a not-overly foppish flourish.

The lapel pins are hand made by a Master Silversmith from sterling silver — fully hallmarked — and feature either a fox mask or tailor's shears, which are made by made by the age-old process of lost wax casting.