Tie Rescue

Upon walking into your local thrift store, depending on how it is arraigned, you may encounter something that looks like this:

Image from 100days100ties

If you are lucky, the ties will be arraigned neatly and hung from pegs or some other display board. If you aren't, you will find a large heap with hundreds of neckties intertwined like snakes in a bucket. These will unfortunately be dug through, pulled, snagged, dirtied, and otherwise neglected until someone finds one they like, and saves it from its unsightly end. In my case, I walked in, and among the ratty and weathered 1970's atrocities, plucked out this one right away:

A BB#5 Repp in Red/Navy in like new condition (despite being at least a decade old given the label)

I like to think I'm doing a sort of service "rescuing" these ties..Giving them a new home and a second life. Rather than buried beneath a pile of silk and polyester, they can be proudly displayed in my collection, worn to events, or perhaps passed on to someone who I know could use it. This tie normally sells for $80 new, but I picked it up for a measly $1 bill. So do your part, and liberate a tie in your local thrift shop today. 

As a college student, you certainly need ties from time to time, and why spend upwards of $50 on a tie when you can have better ones for a couple of bucks at most? You won't find a tie this nice in a store like Sears, JC Penny, Macy's, and arguably, on the shelves of J. Crew or Banana Republic. The ties from these stores will be often made in China. But I found this one sitting in a bin, waiting to be rescued like a wide-eyed puppy.  

All silk: Check

Classic repp stripe pattern: Check

Made in USA: Check

It passes the Prep test

Pure luck saved us $78.50 while adding to the collection of BB Repp ties every well dressed man should own

And another word of advice: Look for patterns before labels. Here are just a few similar ties I've thrifted over the past year, each from a different maker:

Brooks Brothers, Robert Talbott, Bentley, The Custom Shop, and Nicky Milano
Combined Retail Price: ~$500

Spring Forward

We've had a fairly unseasonable start to Spring with some cold weather and snow persisting into March. Thankfully it appears warm days are finally here (or within close reach) and as such, an abrupt change takes place on college campuses across the Northeast. In the last few weeks of the semester, bean boots re-materialize as boat shoes, pastel button-downs for fleece jackets, and yoga pants become running shorts. With the snow finally gone we can start fully appreciating Spring style.

Some general guidelines for warmer weather:

• Incorporate pastels but don't go overboard. Try to blend something bright with something subtle.
• Look for more brightly colored sweaters and lighter weight wool or cotton when you need one.
• Spring mornings are typically chilly yielding to warmer temps in the afternoon. Find combinations that can be layered to make your day more comfortable (and less sweaty)
• Know when shorts are appropriate. Cruising around the quad: Yes. Applying for a job or internship: No. 

Here are some of my finds which have made their way into the Spring rotation.

A yellow OCBD brightens up any outfit. Purchased for $6 (Retail $65)

Certain plaids give off a summery feel. Look for Indian madras and feel free to experiment in this department. Certain color combinations compliment certain skin tones, and others, well...just clash. Figure out what works for you and be adventurous! 

A stack of Spring-friendly colored polo shirts. All purchased well-below retail.