Tradition and modernity often stand in stark contrast -- on the one end there's the Amish, exploring the delights of no television, and on the other, Japan, whose induced-epilepsy and tentacle-sex fetishes totally validate the Amish. Striking the right balance for Britain: Motto & Crest ties.

Crafted by one of Britain's oldest neckwear manufacturers, M&C is the vision of Chris Moyle, whose experience doing PR for various fashion companies taught him novel ways to set traditional materials and colours into modern cuts and patterns, though sadly not novel ways to avoid requests for "In da Pub". The latest from his recently launched, regimentally-inspired "Kingdom" collection: the naval ode Devonport (blue superfine wool backing thoroughly modern diagonal striped silk) and the Clyde (all-striped silk, with a novel reversed-stripe "inset panel" -- a bordered off contrasting diagonal segment); the collection's rounded out by the cotton, old-school army olive Wallop accented with khaki, and the woolen Flash Grey, which presents a vintage Union Jack panel neatly against a silver background, but not the promised image of an o.a.p. exposing himself. Other standouts include the Marlott ("classic club colours": purple, w/ green & yellow stripes), the time-honored two-tones of navy/silver stylishly juxtaposed in the woolen Havenpool, and the Poole: sliced satin w/ a black leather panel, named for the man who invented the tuxedo, without which MI5 would have to wear clothes that'd make them actually blend in.

For those with friends, there's a "Pick a Tie" gift voucher that promises any neck-sessory on the site; for those who just love nooses, there's also an "Annual Tie Subscription"', which brings a new chest garnish every month, until your cupboard resembles the tentacled beast you were trying so desperately to un-see.

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