From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine:
First, hold it up by the narrow end; if it twists to one side, it was cut incorrectly and will forever hand askew. Then, scrunch the material. A great tie feels smooth and substantial and bounces back wrinkle-free when released.
Flip the tie over and check the panels, called tipping, that cover the lining at each end. Top-of-the-line tipping is made of silk – sometimes of the same fabric as the rest of the tie. Whatever the material, it should extend deep into the narrow part of the tie. Look for two horizontal stitches (one on each end), called bar tacks, joining the back flaps, as well as a "keeper tab," which holds the tie in place (on lesser ties, the label doubles as the keeper).
Finally, try the tie on. If it dimples under the knot, you’ve got a winner.
