Necktie sales make huge leap in New Orleans for Father's Day

As a senior salesman at Perlis for 42 years, McCausland believes buying a striped, solid, colorful or fashionably themed tie as a gift is still an honored tradition.

"For Father's Day we sell more ties than anything else," McCausland said. "We have lots of mothers and children come in this time of year, and the kids often take charge and pick out the most outlandish ties. Mom usually steers them back in the right direction, and our male customers like to show off the ties their kids picked out especially for them."

According to recent industry statistics, neckwear, once closeted by casual workplaces and a recessionary economy, is now enjoying a loud and flamboyant resurgence.

The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, reports that in the three months ending in February 2011, men's apparel market sales shot up 12 percent compared to the same time last year. Neckwear is up 26 percent.

"It's absolutely true," David W. Perlis, manager and tie buyer for his family's Uptown store, said. "Neckwear sales have been better in 2011. During the first few years of the recession, people pulled back totally, but accessories are doing much better. We've always had a strong gift giving necktie business."

Perlis said necktie sales at his three locations make up 12.4 percent of his total men's apparel business, as opposed to a national average of 7.8 percent in 50 similar stores throughout the country, tracked by a nationwide independent retailer survey.

Perlis said his store features a large inventory of the whimsical and socially conscious NOLA Couture and Pelican Coast brands as well as the more traditional woven and printed silk ties from Robert Talbott and Breuer.

"New Orleans is a more formal town," he said. "And the industry is really embracing seasonal clothing again. With our brisk seasonal sales of southern traditional suits, including white linen, seersucker and poplin, customers are looking for a more colorful palette. Ties that are brighter with a white warp go well with summer-weight clothing."

"Next to our short sleeve, knit, crawfish polo shirts, ties are what we sell the most of," he said.

"We've seen a definite focus in men's furnishing purchases including men's shirts, jewelry, belts, leather goods, sunglasses, pocket squares and ties," New Orleans Saks Fifth Avenues' Steven Putt said. "Tie sales have increased 30 percent over last year."

"The selection is so broad and family members like buying and giving their fathers or husbands that new tie or new shirt to complement a suit or sport coat," Putt said of his store's Hugo Boss ties and their exclusive line of Saks Fifth Avenue Private Collection neckties made in Italy. "There is definitely an increase in business during this time.

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