Arts & Crafts Ideas Using Old Neckties

The other day I looked through my tie collection and found a few dozen pieces that I had not worn for quite some time. Certainly I could donate them to a local goodwill, which I have done before, but the pile of old ties made me curious if there could be some other good uses. After all, most ties are made from finest silk and often display fun patterns, have interesting fabric textures, and show nice colors. After browsing dozens of Arts & Crafts blogs I found some ideas for your old neckties. Here are five Arts & Crafts projects for your old ties.

1. Make a Quilt
Probably the easiest of the five projects listed here is making a quit out of your old ties. You will need at least a dozen ties, a sewing machine, and some flannel fabric for the lining. Because a standard tie is about 58 inches long (untied), the fabric has the perfect length for making a quilt. First, start out by cutting the stitching of the tie. Then unfold the necktie, and remove the inner lining. Next, sew the different fabric pieces together. The wide end of the tie should connect with the narrow end of the next. Finally use the flannel fabric for the lining of the blanket.

2. Silk Scarf
To avoid pattern over-load, I suggest you only use one tie for making a men’s silk scarf. First, cut the stitching of the tie. Then fold the tie open and remove the inner lining. Your fabric piece should now be about 58 inches long and 4 inches wide at the narrow end. Cut the fabric piece to be a rectangle in the size of 50 x 4 inches. Finally, take some fine cashmere fabric (pick a classic color such as navy or gray), cut it to the size 50 x 4 inches, and sew it onto the silk as a inner lining.

3. Couch Pillow
Looking for a more challenging project? Then making a pillow out of your old ties might be right for you. I have not tried this, but I found some pretty good instructions HERE.

4. Tie Skirt or Kilt
Another more ambitious arts and crafts project using your old ties is making a tie skirt. You will need about 12 to 15 ties for this project. The best instructions I could find for making a skirt out of old neckties can be viewed HERE.

5. Necktie Bag
Probably the project that will require the most sewing skills is making a tote bag from your old neckties. It appears to be quite a popular crafts project and I found a handful of decent instructions. The best ones I could find can be viewed HERE.

If you don’t have any old ties but still like to try one of these projects, then I suggest you contact our partner Bows-N-Ties.com for damaged ties. I am certain they will be able to help you out!

Thanks for visiting!

Hendrik

Modern Ways to Tie a Tie: The “Manhattan”

Even though I am a strong believer that the four necktie knots, that are being featured on my home page, are more than sufficient, there are indeed many other knots that have their advantages. Just recently I had featured the Christensen knot – a cross-patterned knot that is perfect for skinny ties. This time around I am teaching you to tie a so-called “Manhattan” knot.

The “Manhattan” is basically a half Windsor that has been tied in reverse – meaning the inner stitching of the tie faces outwards. There are two reasons why you may want to try this knot. First, its wider shape nicely complements rounder face shapes. Second, the wider shape of the knot perfectly suits wide collar spreads – it even works for ties made made from thinner fabrics.

Step 1
Lay the tie around your neck. The stitching should be visible on on both ends of the tie. Then cross the wide end behind the narrow end.(Note: I am assuming you are right handed. All instructions are mirror images, meaning what you see in my illustrations is exactly what you should see when looking in the mirror)

Step 2
Wrap the wide end over the narrow end. The front of the tie should now be visible. Then pull the wide end around the part that is touching your neck (see image).

Step 3
Pull the tie around the opposite side. Then wrap around the narrow end that is hanging down in front of your chest. Pull tight slightly.

Step 4
In this step you are making the loop in front of the knots which will eventually secure the knot. To do so pull the wide end over the narrow end, and then back in between the tie and your collar. Do not pull tight, but instead create a loop in front of the unfinished knot.

Step 5
Now pull the wide end trough the loop you created in step 4. Give the tie a slight pinch before tightening. This will create a nice dimple.

Step 6
Last but not least, give the knot a slight pinch on each side while pulling tight. This will secure the dimple. Turn down your collar and center the knot. And this is already it!

Give this one a try. It will definitely set you apart for all the four in Hands and Windsor knots in your office! As always, I am curious what you think of this knot. Leave a comment below with your feedback.

Hendrik

The Psychology of Tie Colors in the Race for President

Have you ever asked yourself the question why we only see red and blue ties on presidential candidates as of recently? Some might argue that candidates will choose those ties that best reflects their party’s identify, meaning red ties for Republican Romney, and blue ties for Democrat President Obama, but this is only partially true.

Take Tuesday’s Presidential debate for instance. Romney wore a bright blue and white striped tie while Obama opted for a burgundy-red piece, a change that I was very happy to see. Pre-debate I was actually hoping that Obama would be wearing a red tie – a color that is synonymous with power, confidence, and excitement – all things Obama lacked in the first debate.

Obama is Taking Charge, Wearing a Burgundy-Red Tie

I am now making the argument that Obama’s red tie helped him step up his game during the last debate. Not only did the tie grabbed the audiences’ attention, but I strongly belief that it gave President Obama a boost of confidence after taking a look in the mirror.

The psychology & emotional effects of colors is definitely nothing new. In fact, psychologists have been researching the meaning of colors for decades, if not centuries, and evidence does indeed prove that certain colors do evoke certain emotional responses in people. This is nothing new to presidential candidates who pay attention to what colors to pick out for a public appearance.

Obama needed a bolder red tie to dig himself out of the rut he put himself in during the previous debate. Romney on the other hand had the luxury of wearing a bright blue tie – a color associated with calmness, maturity, and elegance. Romney came into the second debate with confidence, and he did not want to overdo it with another bold red tie, but instead choose to show his mature and trustworthy side by wearing a blue tie instead. I certainly applaud both men for their tie choices!

What do Voters Want to See?
Last week I created a poll that let Democrat and Republican voters choose a tie for their presidential candidate. I presented votes with 10 different ties for each candidate. I wanted to see what tie colors each party’s supporters would choose. By now over 400 people have voted, and the statistics show 3 things:

1. Republicans Like Red Ties
   The top 6 ties picked for Romney were red in color. In fact, Republican voters picked out a red tie over 80% of the time. Blue only received 10% of the votes.
2. Democrats Like Blue Ties
   54% of all votes were for a blue tie on Obama, followed by red taking 29% of the vote. Bright blue ties were preferred over dark and more conservative navy blue neckties.
3. Republicans Are More Conservative – Even When it Comes to Ties
   Based on the ties Republicans and Democrats picked out for their candidate, we can see that Republicans are for more conservative dressers. While Democrats could picture Obama wearing purple, turquoise, teal, and other trendy colored ties, Republicans only voted for blues and reds – other tie colors appeared to be unimaginable choices for a President in the eye of the Republican.

The Most Popular Voted Ties for Each Candidate:
The light blue textured tie was the most popular choice among Democratic voters receiving 29% of all votes, while the bright red “power tie” on the right was the top choice among Republican voters (31% of all votes).

Other Suggested Articles:
Matching Tie Colors to Your Personality
The Political Tie Battle: Obama’s Blue Tie VS Romney’s Red Tie

Thanks for Visiting My Blog!

Hendrik Pohl
Tie Aficionado & Fashion Critic

What Tie Will Win the Presidency?

Just last week I wrote an article about the tie Obama and Romney wore during the first presidential debate. For the debate Romney dressed in a bright red striped tie while Obama picked out a classic royal blue accessory. After watching the debate I wondered how much of an impact the tie color has on the voter? Can the tie influence a voters opinion? Did Obama and Romney base their tie choices on research or did they choose their ties at random? Questions like this kept piling up until I decided it is time to find the answer using an online poll titled “What Tie Will Win the Election?“. Click the button below to cast your vote:

How it Works:
After choosing your party, you will be presented with 10 tie choices. Pick the tie that you would like to see Obama or Romney wear during the final debate on October 22nd. The winning tie will then be mailed out to each candidate (thanks to our sponsor Bows’N Ties).

Thanks for Visiting!

Hendrik Pohl
Tie Aficionado & Men’s Fashion Critic

Fashion in Politics: Obama “Out-Styles” Romney 4:2

“Dress for Success” should have been on both candidates mind while getting dressed for last night’s first Presidential debate. Overall both did a good job, but a closer look does indeed show some minor differences. After looking at how their suits fitted, what tie they chose to wear, how the ties were tied, how the shirt cut complemented the rest of the outfit, as well as a few other key points, I give the slight edge to President Obama – winning 4:2 over his opponent Governor Romney. In other words: Obama was the better dressed of the two.

Hair Cut: Point Goes to Romney
Obama showed up in his usually short buzz-cut while Romney impressed with his well manicured coif. Without doubt, Romney’s more “high maintenance” hair took at least 20 minutes to style – time that was, at least from my point of view, well spent.

The Suit: Obama Takes This One
Both men wore the classic charcoal gray, American cut suit (2 button, notch lapels, double vented, and pleated pants). While both men wore pants that were slightly too long, it was Obama’s suit that fit a bit better around the shoulders. It was a close call, but point goes to Obama.

The Tie: Romney’s Red “Power Tie” Takes it
Consistent with their parties colors, Obama wore a royal blue tie while Romney decided to dress up with a bold red striped piece. While I personally prefer the color and fine texture of Obama’s tie, Romney did a better job choosing a bolder and more attention-grabbing color. Romney’s red “power tie” exudes confidence without being overly flashy. The stripes on the tie also added a more “business professional” look that is consistent with Romney’s persona. While Romney’s red tie was bold and attention grabbing it did not distract from his face. The clear winner here: Governor Mitt Romney.

The Tie Knot: Obama Takes it
Obama tied his royal blue tie with a perfectly dimpled Four in Hand while Romney tied a slightly sloppy half Windsor. The shape of Obama’s tie knot perfectly complemented the collar style and the dimple gave the tie a nice textured look and better drape. Romney’s knot on the other hand appeared a bit sloppy. The knot was a tad too large for the collar, and the lack of the dimple certainly was an eyesore for every tie aficionado. Thus, the clear winner here is President Obama.

The Dress Shirt: Points to Obama
It should come to no surprise that both men wore the classic white dress shirt featuring classic medium spread collars and traditional barrel cuffs. While both shirts initially looks the same, a closer look shows Romney’s shirt having shorter collar points. While shorter collar points are more modern, it is a style that requires to be worn with the right suit and tie: a slim fit narrow lapeled suit and slightly narrower necktie – something Romney failed to do. Thus, points to Obama.

Accessories: Romney Wins Here
As already seen on the campaign trail, both men keep accessories at a bare minimum. Neither man wears cufflinks, tie bars, or pocket squares (something JFK would have done), but instead opted for a simple and sleep look of wedding ring, wrist watch, and American flag pin. Because Romney chose a slightly larger and more visible flag pin, he deserves to win this point.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Hendrik Pohl
Tie Aficionado, Writer, & Founder of Tie-a-Tie.net

The Top 8 Fashion Mistakes Men Make When Wearing a Tie

On my way to work this morning I noticed a man wearing a Halloween themed necktie displaying one large white ghost surrounded by grinning pumpkins. As a tie aficionado it was, needless to say, a pure eyesore. Even though we are approaching Halloween, novelty ties are are always a fashion faux pas in the business world. While I have been writing quite a bit on “How to Wear a Tie”, my experience from this morning inspired me to dedicate a post to “How to NOT Wear Your Tie”. Here are, in order, the eight worst mistakes any man can make when wearing a tie:

#1: The Poorly Tied Tie
As someone how started a site on how to tie a tie it seems quite obvious that I would consider a poorly tied necktie the worst offender on this list. Mistakes include: a tie tied to short or too long, a flimsy looking knot that does not fill the gap between the collar, or a knot that shows any part of the narrow end of the tie.

#2: Too Shortly Tied Necktie
A tie should be tied so that it ends near the middle of your belt buckle. A tie that has been tied too short will throw of the entire look. There is no excuse for it! Even for tall men, most designers offer longer length ties. Check out my Tie Length Calculator to find out whether or not you should be buying XL sized ties.

#3: Kitschy Novelty Ties
My experience from this morning reassured me that novelty ties belong towards the top of this list. By novelty ties I am referring to any “big picture” tie. The only exception I make for wearing novelty ties (although I still wouldn’t) are certain holidays such as 4th of July, St Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and National Bow Tie Day (yes it does exists!)

#4: Clashing Colors & Patterns
So many men choose the wrong tie color and/or pattern for their outfits. In terms of color, choose a shade that compliments your shirt and suit. In doubt wear a dark navy, or charcoal suit, and a white dress shirt as any color tie will compliment. For more information please check out my article titled “Matching Tie Colors to Your Personality”

#5: Wrinkled and/or Stained Neckties
The necktie is usually the focal point of your ensemble. Thus, a wrinkled or stained necktie is immediately noticeable. While ties can not be washed or ironed (because doing so damages the inlay and drape of the tie), I suggest you always untie your necktie after each wearing. Hang your ties on a tie rack or over a hanger and the fabric will straighten itself out over night. I also suggest you rotate your ties, and never wear the same tie two days in a row.

#6: Wrong Tie Width
The tie width you choose must be proportionate to your body type, dress shirt, suit, and tie knot. Yes, skinny ties are trendy, but they will look out of place if worn with a boxy cut, wide lapeled suit. For more information, please check out my Tips on Skinny Ties

#7: Choosing the Wrong Tie for a Particular Dress Code
Yes, there are indeed some dress codes and occasions that will require you to wear a particular style of tie. A perfect example here is the formal black tie dress code (requiring you to wear a self-tied black bow tie), as well as the even more formal white tie occasion (white self-tied pique bow tie).

#8: Accessory Overload
Common necktie accessories are tie-clips and bars, tie pins, and tie chains (click here for more info). While a tie bar can be a perfect addition to your look (especially when paired with solid skinny ties), you want to keep these types of necktie jewelery sleek and elegant. Tie pins, chains, and collar bars are no longer in fashion and should be avoided.

Avoid these 8 common tie mistakes and, do me the favor, point them out to the worst offenders at your office. Want to avoid a possible awkward confrontation? Then print out this article and post it in your company’s break room (you may want to check with HR before doing so…) =)

Thanks for reading!

Hendrik

As a tie connoisseur I sometimes forget that the term “7-fold” in regards to neckties may be a bit confusing to most tie wearers. In fact most men don’t pay too much attention to the way their neckties are made. Instead it is the color, pattern, width, and designer brand that usually gets the most attention. Keep in mind however that even expensive designer ties can be poorly made. I have seen $80 ties made from cheap synthetic polyester for instance. So instead of just using these four shopping criteria, I also suggest you add the tie’s fabric and the tie’s construction to the list.

 

What is a 7-Fold Tie?


The term 7-fold refers to how the necktie is constructed. Instead of sewing an inlay into the tie for thickness, the tie is made out of a single piece of fabric that is folded 7 times (see image left). The result: A thicker feel, incomparable drape, a larger looking tie knot, and a more hefty weight – all things you will immediately notice the first time you hold a 7-fold tie in your hand.

 

How to Make a Seven Fold Tie?

Yes, you can indeed make your own seven fold tie. What you will need is a suitable fabric (woven or printed silk is best), a sewing machine, a good pattern (see image), as well as lots of patience.

First, print out this free 7-fold necktie pattern which will make a necktie that has a standard width of 3 1/4 inches. I had a difficult time finding a free pattern online. Thus, I decided to create this one myself. You can be sure this pattern works, because I created it by taking apart one of my 7-fold ties and tracing all the folds.

Because this pattern is quite large, you will need to print it on several 8.5 x 11 inch pages and tape them together. Simply open this PDF File. Then in your printer setting make sure that “print to actual size” is selected. That’s all you have to do. Once you printed the pattern, you can double check the dimension by measuring the test square that I have put on the file. The test square should measure 4″ x 4″.

After you have printed your pattern, and have selected your fabric, you can follow these excellent instructions on making your own 7-fold necktie. The instructions worked great for me and I am sure they will for you as well.

 

My Favorite Brands

If you rather buy a 7-fold tie than trying to make one of your own, then be prepared to spend some money. Most seven fold ties will cost between $150 – $300 each. Some of my favorite brands are Borelli ($150-$200) which makes beautiful stripes and foulard patterns, Marinella ($250+) an Italian boutique designer that has apparently dressed many men in the oval office including Bill Clinton and Bush, Turnbull & Asser ($100-$150) the famous men’s clothier located at London’s Saville Row, and last but not least the Italian brand Kiton ($200 – $300).

Thanks for Reading my Blog.

Hendrik

Who Was Better Dressed Last Night, Obama or Biden?

Although Obama and Biden are running mates during the upcoming election and are not in competition with one another in terms of their jobs, there is indeed a bit of rivalry when it comes to who dresses better. While Obama typically dresses in a plain, simple, and conservative fashion, it is Joe Biden who usually decides to bring more color to his wardrobe. In the past we have seen Biden wear brightly colored ties in purple, pink, and orange – something that is quite unusual for the common blue and ruby red tie choices politicians typically make. This difference in style was also apparent during last night’s Democratic National Convention. Now the questions comes, who was the better dressed of the two?

Suit Fit: Biden Takes the Lead
Fit is everything when it comes to a man’s suit, and properly tailored piece can even make a cheaper model look better than a more expensive designer piece. Both, Biden and Obama, wear a very similar cut suit: single breasted, classic standard width notch lapels, and solid black in color. Although the suits are almost identical it is the fit that makes them stand apart. Biden’s suit is perfectly tailored while Obama’s suit looks a bit too baggy. It is apparent that Obama has lost some weight since he stepped into office. Without doubt, being President of the United States must be stressful and time consuming, but that’s not an excuse to skip a trip to a tailor. Hopefully Obama get’s his classic suits altered before he starts looking like Ron Paul.

Shirt Fit: Obama Redeems Himself
While the suit looks better on Biden, Obama redeems himself with his shirt fit. The collar fits tight without causing discomfort, the sleeves are at the right length, and the cuffs are proportionate to Obama’s thinner wrist. Biden’s shirt also fits well for the most part, but it is the poorly fitted cuffs (pictured), that cause a bit of a disconnect to his well tailored suit.

The Necktie: Points to Obama
In a recent Huffington Post article fashion critic Willow Lindley points out that Obama’s favorite tie color is blue. In her article she points out that Obama wore a blue tie 42% during his first 50 days in office, compared to red at 30%, and gray and black both at about 13%. Regardless of Obama’s monotonous tie choice, I still think Obama did a much better job at picking his blue and gray striped tie than Biden did with his somewhat clashing pink and bright blue accessory. Should you like Obama’s tie, then I actually found it on our sister site Bows-N-Ties for just $18.90 (see, and/or click on the image for details).

Collar Spread & Tie Knot: Kudos to Biden
Both are wearing the white dress shirts, and although both shirts appear to be similar, it the collar spread that sets them apart. Obama picks a narrow spread collar that is well balanced with a narrow Four in Hand knot. Biden on the other hand picked out a slightly wider spread collar that gets proportionally accessorized with a wider half Windsor knot. Even though both men did a good job in pairing the tie knot to the shirt collar, it is Biden’s shirt that is a bit more attractive. The reason: His wider collar spread looks better in proportion to the somewhat wider suit lapels.

Accessories: Obama Takes This One
Unfortunately, politicians tend to dress in a somewhat boring fashion these days. Gone are the days when the president (think JFK) dressed in 3-piece suit, decorated with an elegant white pocket square and paired with a dapper skinny tie and matching tie bar. Instead outfits are conservative and, what some may call, even boring. Obama’s and Biden’s outfits are the perfect example. Both keep their accessories at an absolute minimum: No cufflinks, no tie bars, no pocket square, and Joe Biden doesn’t even appear to be wearing a wristwatch. The simple fact that Obama wore a sleek black leather band wrist watch gives him the lead when it comes to accessorizing.

Verdict: Obama Wins 3:2
As a fashion critic and tie aficionado I would have liked to see both men dress a bit more fashionable. Why the solid, boxy cut black suit? Obama would have done well with a slimmer fitting narrow lapeled suit in midnight blue for instance. Also, I would have liked to see a bit more color on the neckties. Yes, blue and red are the #1 tie choices in politics, but that is not to say that another color is a Faux Pas. My tip for Obama: wear a persimmon colored tie! It is perfect for the fall season, it is trendy but not over-the-top, and when it comes to swaying the voter, the color psychology of persimmon couldn’t be better! Persimmon pairs the maturity of brown with the passion and excitement of red. Now that is a president-worthy combination!
Thanks for reading my blog!

Hendrik

How To Tie a Necktie with the Christensen Knot

Indeed, most tie knots look quite similar to one another. Typically it is only the size of the knot, and its symmetry that differentiates one from another. But, there is in fact one knot that will stand out in many more ways than simply size and proportion. I am talking about the so-called “Christensen”. It is considered an “experts” knot. It will be perfect if you have been looking for a completely new way to tie, and wear your neckties. When tied with a normal width tie (3 – 3.5 inches in width) the Christensen will stand out because of its larger size, and when tied with a skinny tie (2.25 to 2.75 inches in width) it will stand out because of the cross-patten on the knot. Here are the detailed instructions that will help you master one of the most difficult, and also most unique ways to tie your necktie:

Step #1:
Just like you would with most other tie knots, flip up your collar and lay your necktie around your neck so that the stitching faces towards you. Because the “Christensen” takes much more of the tie’s length, you want to have the wider end hang much further down then when tying other tie knots. My tip: Men taller than 6 foot should consider wearing a longer length tie made for taller men (usually 62-63 inches long). Now wrap the wide end around the narrow end.

Step #2:
Pull the first wrapping (step 1) tight slightly. Then wrap around the neck opening as show in my illustration on the left.

Step #3:
Pull tight slightly and wrap the wide end around the front of the narrow end. Do not pull tight.

Step #4:
Repeat step #3. This second wrapping makes the Christensen different from all other tie knots. it is also the reason why you need much more of the tie’s length to tie this knot. Once again, do not pull these two wrapping tight yet.

Step #5:
Now that both wrappings are in place it is time to finish the knot. To do so, pull the wide end through the neck opening.

Step #6:
Then take the wide end and pull it through both wrappings you created in step 4 and step 5 above.

Step #7:
Make sure that both wrappings align. When tying this knot with a skinny tie, the wrappings cross each other (see image 8), and when wearing a normal width tie, the first wrapping will hide behind the second one.

Step #8:
Last but not least, pull the knot tight. You will almost always have a natural dimple when tying this knot (especially when wearing a normal width tie).

Other Fashionable Tie Knots You May Like:
How to Tie a Windsor
Tie a Cavendish Knot

Thanks for Reading.

Three Must Have Ties for Fall & Winter 2012

As a tie aficionado I get excited every-time my favorite tie shops here in San Francisco receive their new seasonal collections. This is exactly what happened a few days ago when I stopped by some of my favorite men’s clothiers here in the city, where I was greeting with a wide collection of new tie colors and designs. I then went on to a few larger department stores that are known to carry a larger tie assortment of many well known brands and labels. After several hours of tie shopping I found three ties which, I believe, should be in every man’s collection for the coming Fall and Winter season.

Spice Colored Necktie
Be it high-end designer Brioni or the more mass-produced tie collection of Banana Republic, one thing almost all designs and labels share is the presence of so-called “Spice” colors. A look at the spice section of your local Whole Foods is enough to give you a good idea of what to expect. Ties in saffron, cinnamon, cayenne, and oregano could be found in any designer’s current collection. These colors look excellent when paired with all fall and winter suits. They also look great with heavier fabrics such as tweed, worsted wool, flannel, and cashmere. The tie I picked was a solid saffron tie Tom Ford that is slightly slimmer in width at about 3 inches. Although not the tie I purchased, the tie pictured on the left is quite similar, and at just $18.90, cost a fraction of what I paid. Click on the image to purchase the tie at our affiliate site: Bows-n-Ties.com

Tie Made from Worsted Wool or Cashmere
Woolen ties were already in style last year, a trend that appears to stick around for yet another Fall and Winter season. Personally I like the combination of the rugged texture of worsted wool most when paired with a more modern skinny cut. My suggestion, look for a tie made from a coarser worsted wool that is about 2.25 to 2.5 inches in width. Keep the design subtle and the colors dark and muted. Think grays, midnight blue, olive, and maroon. Tie this tie with a more casual Four in Hand knot and your are set to go!

Knitted, Dark Colored, Skinny Tie
Another trendy that stuck around from last Winter are knitted ties. My tip: look for a solid colored tie that is skinny in width (2-2.5 inches), knitted using silk, and featuring a flat (squared) tip. The tie on the left, by Banana Republic, is a perfect example. Pair this tie with a narrow spread collar, slim fit suit, and tied with a loosely tied four in Hand for most dapper results. For more matching tips on these pieces, check out my guide on Wearing Knitted Ties

Thanks for Visiting My Blog.

Hendrik