Secret of the perfect tie - keep it zipped

The SuperTie, which works using a small zipper mechanism on the back that means the knot is always tied, costs 25 and is already being stocked by upmarket department store Selfridges in London.

The garment was created by Chris Gibson, 29, a lawyer based in Edinburgh, and comes in a range of designs. He claims the SuperTie could revolutionise the way men get dressed.

"When I worked as a lawyer I noticed that in most offices these days you have an open shirt policy while working at your desk, but generally when a client comes in or you leave the office you've got to have a tie on because it's expected," he said.

"More often than not, when a client comes in the last thing on your mind is getting your tie sorted because you've got so many other things to do. The idea is that it's something useful but it's also a very good-looking tie that's quick and easy to put on."

Gibson spent more than two years working on a design for the tie. "There have been versions of the technology in the past but it has always been flawed. It's never succeeded before, but we think we've cracked it and got the solution that means it works every time."

The SuperTie has even garnered a celebrity following with the backing of Clarke Peters, who played Lester Freamon in the hit US TV series The Wire.

He became a fan of the garment after meeting Gibson in Edinburgh last year while performing at the Fringe. Gibson has since named one of the creations "the Freamon" in his honour.

"I have a hell of a collection of ties," said Peters. "I had no idea there were 87 ways to tie a necktie. Now there are 88. My son, who is forever fighting with ties, would find this very useful. For a quick change this is ideal."

Mary McGowne, founder of the Scottish Style Awards, said she thought the tie would prove popular.

"I could see a mainstream high-street retailer such as Marks & Spencer running with this. There's really very little difference in a consumer who will buy, for example, a machine-washable suit from Marks & Spencers and a product such as this tie. These types of products are aimed at the mass market, for consumers who look for value for money and a relatively safe, no-fuss wardrobe."

However, she said it wouldn't win any style points with serious dressers. "No discerning style maven would take a product like this seriously. For many gentlemen, the daily ritual of tying their own knot allows them to display a sense of individuality."

Derek Dougan, a partner at gentlemen's outfitters Mr James in Edinburgh, agreed. "The art of dressing is gradually disappearing," he said. "I think my customers might find this a bit too gimmicky. It's a great idea for time-saving and the prices are very good but I don't know about the quality of the actual tie. I can't seeing it replacing the tie as we know it."

Gibson said he knows that the men's market could prove challenging. "I think it will be like Marmite," he said. "Some people will love it, and some people will hate it. For guys wearing ties every day it fits in perfectly.

"But I've also been amazed at the type of people who have bought it - it's not just young men after something quirky but midmarket professionals and retired gentlemen.

"I thought older men might want to tie their own tie, but they've been really interested in it as well."

The tie is currently available online, while an upmarket version, known as the Chris Gibson tie and priced at 50, is currently selling in Selfridges. However, Gibson says he is receiving interest from a number of big UK retailers.

John Davidson, fashion commentator and former Jenners buyer, was unconvinced.

"I kind of think that once you've mastered shoelaces maybe you ought to knock off the tie challenge as well," he said.

"As a shortcut it sounds fiendishly complicated, as you would be limited to wearing ties with a zip on it. There are all these lovely ties in shops that you wouldn't be able to wear, because you'd have to have the one with the zip."

Gibson says he is also working on a zip-up bow tie.

n [email protected]