Mens Spring Fashion

Three Great Spring & Summer Looks for Yellow Ties

Today we have received a new Spring tie collection by two of our favorite designers: Chevalier and Puccini. We noticed that both designers put a lot of emphasis on the color yellow – that appears to be incorporated into almost any design, from solids to trendy plaids. Inspired by all the new designs and colors, we went out to create a Pinterest board featuring some of our favorite outfits using yellow neckwear. In addition, we thought that a blog post on dress tips for yellow ties is in order. Here are three of our favorite looks incorporating yellow neckwear.

#1: The New England Academic
Elegance, high society, and sophistication is what comes to mind here. If this is the look you are going for, then you should invest in these wardrobe stapes: Navy blue single breasted blazer with brass buttons, a few regimental striped and repp-stripe ties, white or slightly off-white colored chinos, penny loafers, and an assortment of pocket squares (preferably simple solids or paisley patterns).

A trendy take on the “New England” look: navy blazer, white pants, knitted yellow necktie, patterned handkerchief in coordinating colors, and watch with colored canvas wrist band.

#2: The Euro Charmer
Compared to the New England Academic, the “Euro Charmer” pays closer attention to fitted tailoring and modern cuts. Another thing that sets these two apart is the approach to embrace unconventional designs and patterns. While the “Academic” usually sticks to the classic and time-proven designs, the “Euro Charmer” is not afraid to take risks when it comes to experimenting with new pieces. If this is you, then you may want to consider adding these pieces to your wardrobe: Well fitted double breasted suits (pin-stripes), ties with polka dots and/or loud paisley patterns, monk-strap dress shoes, as well as tie bars and a few different set if cufflinks.

The “Euro Charmer” is not afraid of bold patterns and colors. This look of classic navy suit is brought to live thanks to a brightly colored paisley tie. The solid cherry-red handkerchief nicely ties the look together.

Another classic and elegant look out of the “Euro Charmer” collection. The graphic print tie, polka dot bow tie, and leather wrist watch are paired with a classic piece: the solid navy suit.

#3: The Southern Gentleman
If you are looking for a more summer inspired look that is less business but more fun, then the “Souther Gentleman” might be for you. Must have style pieces here are a few patterned self tied bow ties in lively summer hues, striped suspenders, seersucker suits, straw hats, pastel colored ties (solids and plaids are best), as well as vests with matching dress pants. It is also worth noting, that this is a popular look for summer weddings.

A must have piece for the “Southern Gentleman” look: The classic seersucker suit. Here the suit get paired with a lemon yellow & white polka dot tie – creating a perfect warm weather look.

If the “Southern Gentleman” style is for you, then it is time to invest in a few patterned self-tied bow ties. We love the play of pattern and color in this ensemble. Paisley, check, and stripes are all incorporated into one well balanced, and certainly not “too busy”, look.

Last but not least is the vest. Paired with matching pants and a fun colored yellow necktie, it is a clothing piece that looks great with or without matching jacket.

Your Bows-N-Ties.com Team

New Collection of Ties & Matching Pocket Squares by Cantucci

Just a few weeks ago we at Bows-N-Ties introduced a new tie designer to you by the name of CANTUCCI. What makes this designer’s collection stand out is the highest quality fabrics coming out of Como, Italy. Most of Cantucci’s designs feature a silk screen print. Because the designs are not woven into the fabric, but printed on, the silk has a very soft feel and delicate touch; think of a Hermes silk scarf and you get the idea.

Because Cantucci’s collections have been so popular with our customers, we decided to expand our offerings of this label. Just in are 44 new silk ties that are also available as a matching pocket square. The tie & pocket square set above is just one of dozens new designs and colors. Over the next few weeks we will continue uploading all new designs and it is our goal to have the entire collection available for purchase by mid March.

Your Bows-N-Ties.com Team

New Heathered Tie Collection by Designer PUCCINI

With spring just weeks away, we at Bows-N-Ties have started to receive our designers’ latest spring and summer collections. Just last week we added a dozen new spring & summer plaids to our site, the week before we added a dozen new self-tied bow ties, and the week before that we featured our new ties in Emerald green designed to compliment the color of the year.

Today we have added another collection by neckwear designer Puccini. This new “heather textured” ties feature a unique fabric texture paired with summer pastel-hues in light blue, coral, peach, platinum, and light cypress. They are perfect for all light colored summer suits. Click on your favorite shade below to get tips on how to best pair it to your wardrobe.

From left to right: heathered tie in platinum silver, heathered tie in sky blue, heathered tie in light cypress green, heathered tie in rich coral pink

Your Bows-N-Ties.com Team

Five New Trendy Plaids in Beige and Tans for Summer 2013

While we are still in the midst of winter, we have already been working with our designers on the new spring collection for 2013. Earlier this week we received our first shipment of these new designs that, we are certain of this, will help turn around your wardrobe for the coming warm and sunny days. In total we received over 150 new designs and colors, and, over the next few weeks, we will introduce each new collection to you here on our blog.

Our first feature goes to a variety of plaid patterned ties in tans and light browns. We noticed, that almost all our designers have continued to expand upon their plaid and check patterned collections. New for the spring in 2013 are bold plaids paired with a warm palette of browns, tans, and beige tones. Below are five of our favorite plaid ties in these spring inspired beige and tan hues. Click on your favorite one below.

You May Also Like:
Overview of All Our Tan, Cream, Champagne Color Ties
New Repp Stripe Tie Collection for Just $9.90 Each

Five New Mint Green Ties for Spring 2013

We already got a first glimpse of this popular wedding color during October’s bridal fashion week in New York. Simply take a look at some wedding inspiration boards on pinterest and you will see that mint green is one of the most popular bridal colors for spring 2013. While dress designer Alfred Angelo already offered a spearmint shade for their spring collection 2012, other bridal designers are not far behind in adding this fresh and lively hue to their bridesmaids dress collection. Needless to say, we at Bows-N-Ties are working on all new bridesmaids dress shades for J.Crew, Alfred Angelo, Davids Bridal, and now also Bill Levkoff. We expect to have an assortment of ties, matching each designer’s new colors, ready within the next 30 days. Because we are anticipating a big push for mint green, we already collaborated with most of our designers to create some matching ties. Here are five of our latest neckties in mint green.

From left to right: Summer Silk Tie in Mint Green, Striped Mint Green Silk Tie, Green & Blue Checkered Tie, Diamond Check Tie in Mint Green

Your Bows-N-Ties.com Team

Spring Style Buys Under $50

New seasons have rarely meant completely new wardrobes, especially in the slower moving world of men’s fashion. If you’re getting your spring styles ready, the most work you likely have to do is look back at what you wore last year and change a few things. That’s definitely the case with these style upgrades for the season that are low on cost but high on impact. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better fashion deal for your fifty bucks.

A Spring Necktie
Color has always been a hallmark of spring fashion, and there’s no easier way for men to channel that than with a new necktie. Make the most of all the bright, happy shades that retailers bring out for the spring and summer seasons! They’re the perfect way to punch up any outfit that would otherwise have been dull and boring.

A white shirt and tan colored suit never goes out of style for spring, and these staples of men’s fashion get new life when you throw in a bold spring colored tie. Most popular for this year’s spring season are ties in pink, bright yellow, lime, as well as tangerine. Our tip: opt for bold colors paired with bold patterns such as lively stripes, plaids, as well as contrasting polka dots.

Because of the low price and sheer ubiquity of the necktie today, it’s one of the few items in any man’s wardrobe that you can actually afford to update every season. Invest in good fabrics like silk and quality cottons, though, and each one should last you a while.

A Pocket Square That Blooms
Men nowadays have been shifting away from the style-oblivious stereotype to a more image-aware mold, paying increasing attention to things like the pocket square. Guys a decade ago would have scoffed at such a trivial detail; men today see the lack of it as a deal-breaker for any outfit. Get with the times by getting behind this traditional touch.

There are several reasons to go for a pocket square. First, it’s a simple and subtle way to inject new life into any suit you own. Second, it’s a touch that’s typically seen only in the high-end fashion magazines, so expect it to cause quite a few double takes. Third, it’s an extremely affordable item that comes in a mind-boggling assortment of options – good news to any mix-and-match man.

If you’re out shopping for handkerchiefs, a good rule of thumb is to get a matching one for every color necktie you own. Color coordinating the details of your suit – the necktie, the pocket square and the socks – is always a no-fail option for the most hectic mornings.

A New Pair for a New Season
Buying new socks hardly seems like a celebration-worthy affair. It is, though, if you’re investing in pairs that go beyond black, gray, brown and navy. Color is more and more becoming a crucial element in the modern man’s spring wardrobe, and even underwear drawers are being subjected to the colorful update.

Colorful socks belong more to the rebel’s style vocabulary than the prepster’s, but they’re good to have in the closet all the same. Like the pocket square, they make for subtle but fun touches to any work ensemble, especially if you get your suits cut right (that is, with a minimum of break to hide the socks). They also take over statement style duties from the necktie on those days when you just feel like leaving your collar open.

One of the great things about colorful socks is that they don’t detract from a formal outfit. As long as you stick to a good suit, you can wear your most colorful socks with impunity.

More Spring Fashion Advice:
View All Our Mens Spring Fashion Articles & Tutorials
Guide to Summer Suits for Men

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team

Spring Style Manifesto: Cheap Updates

The men’s fashion industry is two parts marketing, and one part art. Countless stores and labels will try to sell you all sorts of trends and ‘must-haves’, many of which you don’t really need. In fact, $50 is already enough in many cases to give you something new to wear for the season. Here are some of this spring’s best budget fashion choices.

Contemporary Traditions
Men’s fashion places a huge premium on traditions. That’s why centuries-old styles like the tux and suit are still so widely worn today. Of all the traditional pieces worn by men today, the necktie has a special place of honor. Not only is it a gold standard of formal fashion, but it’s also one of the easiest (and cheapest) pieces to update every season.

The spring necktie of the moment is dark and businesslike, except that it has a single bright and bold contrast stripe somewhere around the middle. It’s a formal enough tie for the office, but offers a little cheek and personality. Spring is all about bringing out some personality and letting your colors show. The new spring necktie does just that; it’s a fun twist on a tried and tested classic combination.

Snazzy and Sunny
No other men’s accessory says ‘spring’ quite like a nice pair of shades. Ray-Bans have earned themselves an honored place in every guy’s summer wardrobe. If you don’t feel like charging up $200 for sunglasses, though, perhaps it’s time for you to look at brands that cost less but are no less cool than the brand-name variety.

The style-conscious market might not exactly coordinate with each other, but trends do show up from time to time. The current must-own pair of sunglasses is the clubmaster style – thick up top, next to nothing at the bottom – in a color that’s either very retro (tortoiseshell) or very modern (plain matter black). These are currently being sold by a surprising number of retailers across the country.

Whether you’re buying branded or brand-free, always remember to try wearing the glasses before you pay for them. There may not be explicit sizing for shapes, but the shades have to at least be proportional to you.

New Layering Pieces
Every man who knows his fashion knows that layering is always an option, no matter how warm or cold it is. The spring heat, therefore, shouldn’t stop you from creating your own outfits with attitude.

Cardigans are particularly useful for springtime layering because they’re lightweight and offer a greater range of designs. The horizontal striped style is shaping up to be one of the hot items of this season. It’s so classic, though, that you may as well get it even if you’re not planning to ride the trend. Besides, you can find one for between $30 and $50, especially if you go to one of those discount stores.

Value and versatility are strengths of the cardigan, no matter what kind of design you buy. Always perfect for spring, cardigans do well whether you pair them with a simple jeans-and-tee combo, or use it as a lighter layer over a casual shirt and neck

Other Related Readings for Our Blog:
Style with Spring Fashion Accessories
Mens Spring Fashion

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team

Spring Style Manifesto: Essential Extras

True style is in the details. Any man could wear a necktie, but only the truly discerning can spot a seven-fold silk creation. The heat makes layering less of an option in spring, so accessories play an even greater role in your wardrobe.

Accessories don’t change very much in men’s fashion – it’s more about the classics than the trends, after all – but there are a few pieces each season that manage to stand out. The great thing about accessories is that you very rarely have to worry about size and fit; as long as you maintain proportions, there’s really no need to have things altered or tailored.

Leather Strap Sandals
Neck ties and suits are probably the last things on your mind when spring arrives, and nothing says ‘warm weather’ like a pair of open footwear. Flip-flops are cheap and practical, but you run the risk of looking like a college undergrad on spring break. Take the more mature road and spring for a pair of leather strap sandals or, even better, a pair of nice leather loafers.

Although they all fall under the same category, leather strap sandals actually run a wide range of styles from the South American huarache to the hybrid strapped thong sandal. The idea behind leather strap sandals is to have open footwear that’s as close to your formal shoes as possible. These sandals stick to your feet and keep a slim, subtle profile instead of flipping and flapping all over the place like a pair of slippers.

It should go without saying, but bears repeating anyway: wear these barefoot. Any other layer – like, heaven forbid, white gym socks – only defeat the purpose of open footwear. Show off your feet! Get a pedicure if necessary; it’s a common hygiene practice even for non-metrosexual straight men nowadays. Otherwise, you’re better off wearing shoes. On a final note, avoid sandals that look too Granola. A pair of Birkenstock’s for example might be good for your foot’s arch, but will be an eyesore for the fashion aficionado.

Throwback Shades
Style trends in men’s accessories change slowly, and the eyewear department changes even slower than average. We’ve been seeing this throwback trend for a while, and it looks like it’ll stay firmly on the fashionable public’s nose bridge until further notice.

Aviators and readers have had their fair share of time in the spotlight. This season, the trendy shades are curved readers – they have softer curves than their straitlaced siblings – and clubmasters, which have a prominently thick frame on top but next to nothing down around the lenses.

Like most trends in men’s fashion, established brands like Ray-Ban are at the front line of the trend. One great thing about accessories, though, is that not many people can tell what brand you’re wearing from afar. If you don’t feel like investing in the craftsmanship of a label, the bandwagon isn’t completely closed to you. Just pay attention to the lens’ UVA and UVB protection.

Square and Gray
Timepieces are another slow-moving portion of the men’s fashion market, but gray square-face watches have been getting a lot of exposure lately. What’s not to like about them? Formal and businesslike, they send off a quirky authoritative vibe, whether you pair them with jeans or your sharpest office slacks.

Squared watches, however, usually fall out of style favor rather quickly, so you may want to either stick to your classic round face or try a more affordable brand before plunking down several Benjamins on a horology piece. Although some call the watch a mere accessory, they’re one of the few true investment pieces in men’s fashion, and is a choice that’s not to be taken lightly.

Other Suggested Articles:
Sport Coat and Blazer Jacket Guide
Men’s Wrist Watch Guide
Men’s Spring Fashion Guide

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team

Striped Ties for Spring & Summer 2011

Dear valued customer, we at Bows-n-Ties.com are very excited about Puccini’s latest collection for the spring and summer season in 2011. Predominant colors are pink, lavender, fresh greens, yellow, and light blues. We have received over 3 dozen of new designs and colors from Puccini’s latest spring collection. The design above is part of this new assortment. What we like most about this design is the combination of intricate striped pattern with fresh and vivid colors. They make a perfect accessory for the spring and summer season – especially when combined with suits in light gray, tan, and navy-blue. To match these ties we suggest a dress shirt that compliments one of the striped colors such as pink, white, light lavender, or a pale gray. For more information on each tie please click on your favorite tie above.

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team