Here are a few pictures from yesterday’s epic tie haul. Not epic solely for the content—although there were some gems, but for the price. Thirteen ties at .50 a tie put me at just over $7 after tax.
Ties are something I hardly ever pay retail for. In fact, I hardly ever pay more than $3 for them. They are probably among the most commonly gifted items men (and women whose sartorial proclivities tend towards the traditionally masculine) receive, and a good deal of these are given by people who know little of the recipient’s personal taste, style, or aesthetic preferences.
This failed exchange is the bedrock upon which your tie collection can be built. Another man or woman’s tastelessness is your ticket to an enviable tie collection purchased at pennies on the retail dollar.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy ties at retail, but I am saying that you don’t need to always do so. Pop into a thrift shop when you drive past one and a parking spot is available in the lot or out front. You never know what you might find. Some of the stuff might not even be used, like these NWT Brooks Brothers ties I bought yesterday…And though they didn’t come with tags, I think the Faconnable and Bergdorf Goodman ones might be new as well. Test your luck, you won’t regret it.
One of my more expensive fits…
Shoes: Sperry AO, thrifted NWOT $15.50
Jeans: Earnest Sewn Kyrre, ebay ~$25 (IIRC)
Shirt: Brooks Brothers, thrifted $3.60
Tie: Striped silk knit, The Tie Bar $15
Jacket: Club Room cotton/linen, ebay NWT $39 (Ouch! I don’t have faith that I’ll come across a nice baby blue cotton, linen, or cotton/linen jacket while thrifting before summer’s over…)
