366 Bow Ties: Day 26

The pressure of this project–to throw on a different TCC bow tie every day–has had the interesting effect of causing me to scour the archives. On Day 26, I came up with this: one of my favorite of Ellie’s early neck-to-bow tie conversions. Medium-blue (darker than royal, lighter than navy) with red/white polka dots.

This is vintage silk. And by vintage, I mean really old. It also represents one of Ellie’s first tries at making a bow tie. It’s got quite a skeleton inside: it really stands up to be counted. It’s a little misshaped here and there. The silk is a little uneven in wear. But this bow tie looks s-h-a-r-p.

We don’t want to hype this bow tie as if it were the a Michael Jordan rookie card or Stan Lee’s first issue of illustrating Spiderman. But it is pretty special. And that’s one of the neat things about bow ties. Of course we pay close attention to the details–even the details that most no one will ever see. But it’s how things look when you show up in the bow tie that counts. They hide their idiosyncrasies much better than neckties. They’re all knotted and folded up and smushed together to begin with.

So, if you hold sentimental stock in The Cordial Churchman, and want to have one of our archival pieces, this bow tie is for you. If you’re going to wear the thing, this bow tie is for you. If you’re going to put this in a mirror-filled display case (not sure why you’d do that) with black velvet backcloth, you should balk. Available only until it’s no longer available: get this archival piece for the TCC throwback price of just $23.

Blue bow ties, by the way, are really important. Blue, khaki or tan, and a little bit of red make up 90% of my outfits.

Speaking of khaki, my Bill’s Khakis went head-to-head with my 4-year-old’s muddy shoes as I pushed him on the swing today. Since these things were originally made for the military, I’m expecting that they’ll hold up under these, and much more sartorially traumatic, conditions.

366 Bow Ties: Day 25

What’s with the weird pigeon-toed thing I’m doing here? I do this when I’m taking a normal jumpshot, too. Not that I take many jumpshots–maybe 4-5 per year.  I opted for the Alisdair in a fat butterfly shape for the big game. The big game, though, wasn’t basketball, but a presentation some of our church plant core group gave at a local church in our denomination, where the Moderator (the Presbyterian version of a Pope) is the pastor. It was good fun, and quite encouraging.

Usually for “the big game” sorts of occasions, you wear your ‘A’ Tie. It’s your favorite, your go-to tie, the one that makes you feel like you can really bring the heat. It’s your dress-f0r-success piece of neckwear.

But I’m more mature than all that nonsense, so I just grabbed the next available bow tie. I’m not usually one for geometric patterns, but this one is subtle, and looks more like a texture than a pattern. It’s kind of like light in that regard—you know: kind of like a wave, kind of like a particle. You following me? No? Maybe I should go put my ‘A’ Tie on.

Our fat patterns give plenty of dimples to the bow when they’re tied up–a nice feature, in my opinion. Really narrow bow ties are in style these days, just like really narrow neck ties. So why not go against the grain and wear a nice fat one once in a while?

The kids and friends came along, and we enjoyed being with the good folks at Tirzah church. Deacon enjoyed it when he wasn’t being hoisted up onto a very tall Andrew’s shoulders in an effort to get him to dunk a basketball. We all especially enjoyed it when we realized it was a pot luck. Great food.

Whenever I see beets or beet salad, I always get it and take a picture of it and send it to my colleague, Phud. Because it utterly disgusts him. Beets are great.

Run over to the store and grab this very Alisdair bow tie in fat butterfly at a discount, and grab yourself a couple more TCC bow ties while you’re at it.

Cordially,

Andy

 

FAQ 1: “Where’s Your Bow Tie???”

I got this all the time—as soon as people found out I was the husband of a bow tie haberdashress. Not so much in 2012. Was hoping to get it tonight when I realized I had the freedom to wear a new / old thifted neck tie (which, like almost all my neck ties, are now on bow tie death row), being as I’ve already worn, and sold, today’s bow tie. I did get the question, and was able to impress the inquirer with more of an answer than he bargained for.

Dear neckties: you are still awesome. I have not abandoned you. Love, ARS

366 Bow Ties: Day 24

Everyone I know deliberately waits to tie their shoes until they find a handsome brick wall and a lush patch of clover. Context is key.

Today’s bow tie is the much coveted, and–except for this one–sold out, Buchanan in narrow butterfly. All wool. Festive but classic. A conservative palate but with some punch nonetheless. We can’t seem to re-source this fabric, so this may be your last shot at it ever. Not meaning to get all apocalyptic on you. Just thought you should know.

I started the day out at the dentist. Speaking of apocalyptic, I found myself in a long, painful wait in the waiting room, and figured it would be appropriate to read from a disturbed minor prophet. My mouth is pretty numb right now. But I’m trying my very best not to drool on the Buchanan.

My dentist is really great. She talks pop culture while she drills and fills, and she always compliments me on my ability to sit still and bear the discomfort. (The tattoo artist said the same.)  She and the dental assistant spent half the time talking about how they just don’t get Twitter. It was kind of unfortunate. Sorry, Twitter, I couldn’t stick up for you because my mouth was otherwise occupied. I even tried to pull out my iPhone while being worked on to at least visually demonstrate what the devil Twitter was.

But it was futile. So instead I admired my Bill’s Khakis weathered canvas, and especially the textural interest when set against my J&HP flower lapel packaging-turned iPhone sleeve.

Run over and grab this Buchanan now before it’s gone forever.

Cordially,

Andy

366 Bow Ties: Day 23

Camouflage. It’s really not my thing. I like it and all, but I’m just not Tough Guy enough to feel legit wearing it. Originally, I felt the same way about our camo bow tie: good for others, not for me. Something about the rainy weather and another excuse to wear my Wellies gave me the mojo to rock the camo today.

This old oxford is getting beat to shreds on the collar. Maybe the only way to wear a worn collared oxford with a bow tie is if it’s a rough-and-tumble, uber-manly camo bow tie? I don’t know. Just speculation.

I finally got a chance to study today in my studio space, where I am the lone “thinker” among a bunch of doers–visual artists to be specific. Another reason I have no business wearing camo. I’m going to miss this studio space when the group moves out in a month or so.

Grab this very camouflage diamond-point bow tie today. Grab one in any cut any day (until we run out of fabric). Better yet, send us your Desert BDUs from your tour in Iraq or Afghanistan, and we’ll make you a bow tie out of them–one that you can proudly pass along to your sons and grandsons. (And yes, we’ve done this before, which did us a great honor.)

366 Bow Ties: Day 22

Today I went to hear my good friend Andrew teach Sunday School at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Dude knocked it way out of the park. So much so that I bought him pizza. (For those of you who’re keeping score at home, that’s pizza and beer for 3 consecutive days for me. There might be a problem that calls for an intervention. The pizza, that is.) Anyway, I was excited for a good excuse to bust out my new Bill’s Khaki’s Wool Donegal Limited Edition trousers. Ellie declared that they were “grown up without being ‘old man’.” Now, I’m no enemy of the old man look, but if what she said is true, sweet.

I reached for a bow tie Ellie made last winter: dark navy (or ‘light black’??) silk with embroidered horns from a necktie on one side …

… tartan plaid on the other side. With all reversible bow ties, of course, you want a little of the back side peeking out for visual interest. You can twist and turn them to do whatever crazy stuff you want (like yesterday’s tie), but when you’re going to a Presbyterian church, probably the ‘peeking out’ thing is about enough. Never forget the first rule of bow tie wearing: You’re Already Wearing A Bow Tie. This rule helps you know when it doesn’t matter if you go bonkers with multiple sides and twists and turns and peekings out. And it also helps you remember when to cool it.  (I just made that rule up. Pretty good, huh? Just remember, I’m a professional.)

Ebenezer needed a mug of me for a conference at which I’m speaking there in March. Now, I’m usually pretty modest about being photographed, but for a good cause, I’ll concede–but it won’t be easy. Figured I’d have Andrew snap a photo of me out in the churchyard. Remember churchyards? All churches used to have them. Especially ones that are 225 years old like this one. That building in the background is one of the oldest structures in the county. An old schoolhouse, I think.

I really like the center court “E.” You could play hoops in tweed and bow ties with an “E” like that on the court.

I’ve heard that there was a day when showing off one’s socks was thought of as risqué. I guess because technically they’re underwear. While I fully support the judgment that t-shirts are underwear and thus should not be worn (or seen ‘peeking through’) on the outside, I’m just going to go ahead and wear my foot-underwear for all to see, with the “go bold or go home” maxim being my guiding principle. It’s a great way to add a little punch to an otherwise understated ensemble. Or more punch to a what-the-heck-why-not ensemble.

And of course, the socks seem to draw (at least my) eyes to my Oak Street Bootmakers penny loafers. George, the founder, said that the supple leather on these would stretch wonderfully to conform to my feet. They don’t need “breaking in” like most leather shoes. They just kind of “make room.” Love these shoes. I’m looking forward to some photos of George in our bow ties now. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Okay, there you have it. Run on over to the store and grab this one-of-a-kind bow tie before it’s gone. All of it goes to kids in Haiti. Happy Sunday.

Cordially,

Andy

366 Bow Ties: Day 21

Today Ellie grabbed a bunch of fabrics from this year’s winter bow tie offerings and made a very random patchwork scarf. Then she got the idea to do the same for a bow tie. The result is Day 21′s “What’s Left of Winter” bow tie. You can wear it many different ways. You could wear it every day of the week and tie it differently. You know, if you wanted to do something like that.

Most importantly, you can buy it here. There’s only one. Patchwork can be a pain in the neck to make, so if something like this is available in the future, you can bet that it won’t be at the incredible price of $29.

I also sported a lapel flower that Ellie made out of the ‘Addison‘ fabric. Dang, she’s good. You have to jab a hole in the boutonnière ‘buttonhole’ on the lapel of your jacket in order to stick the button on the back of the lapel flower through. I’ve oopsed and sliced outside the lines on accident, but who cares. Since everyone already knows me as the bow tie dork, and the rain boots dork, I’m afraid I’m going to kind of make the lapel flower my thing. It’s a good thing.

Ellie was with the ladies for a fancy birthday dinner tonight, so it was pizza and beer night again for the guys. It turns out that as long as the pizza is good, and the beer is good, pizza and beer taste just as good on Saturday night as they do on Friday night. We gents joined all the yuppie soccer moms in Charlotte in wearing rain boots. Transformers for Owen, camo for Deacon, Le Chameau for yours truly. (Somehow Cliffe didn’t end up with socks or shoes on. Whoops. Like I said, it was guys’ night.)

We ended up at the bookstore, of course, since a man needs a legitimate cup of coffee (and the boys need an M&M cookie) after dinner. The train table occupied them longer than usual, but then we had story time, which is always as participatory as possible.

 

Speaking of participatory: buy this bow tie. The cash goes to bless children in Haiti who are being helped the most cordial of churchmen and churchwomen. We can’t wait to tell you more about how all that works when the details are ironed out. But we can tell you that these first 20 days of 2012 have brought in over $500 for this project.

Here are just three examples of how this baby can be tied.  I don’t think we’ve ever made a more versatile bow tie.

Enjoy your Sunday. Be thankful for the luxuries you enjoy, the rest you’re granted, and the opportunities you have to change the world in humble but significant ways.

Cordially,
Andy

366 Bow Ties: Day 20

For some folks, this was Bow Tie Friday. For me, of course, every day has become Bow Tie Friday. 20 days of bow ties. Over $500 raised for children in Haiti. Lots of fun.

I started the day off with a blue blazer so I could show off the lapel flower Ellie made for me. That’ll have to wait, but not for long. Excited to show you. But I quickly realized I wasn’t feeling the blazer, and realized it was time for a pivot to the classic Levi’s jean jacket. Not a bad combo with such a rugged bow tie as the Lewis classic–today’s bow tie of the day.

Ellie and I spent the morning working, and eating, at Lell’s Cafe. It was 2011 the last time I was in there, which is utterly shameful. So I made up for it by staying there through breakfast, through the mid-morning coffee break, through lunch, and through the mid-afternoon coffee break. Hey, it’s not my fault I had a breakfast and lunch invitation to Lell’s in one day. Just trying to be efficient here.

The jean jacket, they say (rightly), really doesn’t work with jeans, unless you’re just really, really cool and can’t be stopped. I realized the jacket was the way to go because I had first opted for my new Bill’s Vintage Twill M3 Khakis. An interesting rule of thumb has developed for me: Rugged down low? Jeans? Go with buttoned-down up top. Silk bow tie, blazer, lapel flower, etc. Creased khakis? Go with a vintage (looking) jean jacket and a heavy tweed bow tie. Some variation of this might indeed be the rule, until now unwritten.

Run on over to the store and grab this very Lewis classic for a slight discount. Or grab the frequently commented-upon and much-loved Lewis Club Diamond point (or any other cut) for now until the fabric is gone.

I hope your Friday included pizza and beer.

Cheers,
Andy

366 Bow Ties: Day 19

What do you do to keep your kids out of your bow-tie-making wife’s hair during the rush just before the Post Office closes? On a cool winter afternoon? Why, you  build a fire and roast some marshmallows, that’s what.

“Catch them on fire!” Okay, son, if you say so.

A friend called me a pretend outdoorsman upon seeing these photos. That’s exactly what I am. I have no ambition of being a real one. Don’t care for camping, never been hunting, prefer catching to fishing. But I do like to light up a pipe, sit around a fire, and drink coffee, outdoors, out of my new Stanley thermos (Merry Christmas to me!).

Embracing my identity as pretend outdoorsman allows me to catch up on my reading of Jonathan Edwards for The Dead Preachers Society of Ebenezerville on my iPad. (I do prefer my Yale clothbound edition, but alas, I could not locate it.)

And it allows me to rock the bow tie. In this case, a one-of-a-kind, not-normaly available black gingham piece cut in classic shape and not on the bias.  Available in the store until it’s gone, and then very much not available again. Buy this bow tie, or any of the 366, and you’re sending 29 odd bucks to enrich the lives of children in Haiti.

There was actually a moment when I didn’t think I was going to be able to build a proper fire. A boy scout I was not. My boys were looking on, and I couldn’t fail. Thankfully, the thing got going and the whole macho operation was saved.

 

366 Bow Ties: Day 18

You know it, you love it. If you’re a customer, you probably own it. If a woman has bought you one of our bow ties, there’s a 75% chance it was this one.

It’s the James. Classic cut. Navy wool silk with a subtle tan pattern and an even more subtle textured weave. In short, our best selling bow tie by far. Versatile. 4-season. Goes with everything.

It’s the perfect go-to bow tie when the occasion calls for either a touch of class or a slight smirk. The James delivers both, and you don’t have to stand in front of the mirror wondering if it works. Dozens of wives and girlfriends can’t be wrong: this is as standard as a navy blazer, khakis, penny loafers, or 501s. Get yours any old day in any cut in the store. Get this very 366 Bow Ties James and join in the madness in the most classic way.