Section: Vintage TiesFads quickly come and go in men’s fashion, cycled through and combined like never before. At this point, regardless of what era you’re wearing, if it fits, and you wear it well, there are certain things that never go out of style. Straight-leg jeans is one. A white dress shirt is another. Tie sizes and designs have ridden the trends, but a tie is simply classic.
No matter where I’m shopping for a tie, I am looking at the design and color before I ever look at the name or the price tag. As for quality, your hands will tell you, if not the name or where you’re buying it. Since you’re buying from Junk and Howe, you can bet that every tie you buy will be quality. In terms of vintage ties, they may get wider or thinner, but it’s the artistic design and colors that determine whether or not it’s going home.
I don’t even wear ties that often, but if I see a tie I like, I buy it. It gives me a reason to dress up a notch and go out to dinner with my girl. And she always likes me in a tie. It’s also nostalgic for me, being that I’ve always liked the fact that two generations ago, wearing a suit, tie and hat was the norm. Then there are shows like “Mad Men”, which takes place in the ‘60s, that will make you want to dress like a classic man, and look sharp. Add my natural gravitation towards manly type things, such as tools, and I end up with a great collection of ties for any occasion.
The old department stores, such as Carson Pirie Scott, Marshall Fields, Sears, JCPenney, and Montgomery Ward, were go-to spots for the average working man for at least the second half of the 20th Century, but at the same time, you find a lot of quality-made ties with very striking designs on them – especially their high-end or executive styles. And then there are the vintage designer ties, such as Countess Mara or Christian Dior, which really stand out from the lot. These are the ties that were sold at the haberdasher men’s stores, such as Chicago’s Capper & Capper or Hart Schaffner & Marx.
The kicker is that because men traditionally received ties as presents, many ties hung in closets for years, never worn. Today, it is not too uncommon to find brand new vintage ties with the tags still on them! On top of it all, most likely you’ll never see another one of its kind out and about.
One of the best things about buying a tie from Junk and Howe is that shipping is FREE on most ties. And then there’s our everyday deal: Buy three ties, get the fourth (of equal or lesser value) FREE!
Wear one from Junk and Howe and you’re guaranteed a compliment. Ladies, buy some for your man and tell him to take you out somewhere nice.
---
The grand opening for the Junk and Howe store at Etsy is happening within the next couple weeks. Excitement is in the air. The sadness of letting loose of so many beautiful and useful things is trumped by the happiness that others will be able to appreciate it all.
This song has been the song most listened to in the last few months. Not sure why, but it probably has something to do with Harry Nilsson's genius. Enjoy:
LISTEN:
Harry Nilsson - Gotta Get Up
