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| Whimsical Pink Elephants |
After a while, I started noticing that my tie collection mainly consisted of the traditional striped ties or the modest polka dotted ones. If you are like myself and are looking to switch things up, then I would suggest picking up an Animal Print/Whimsical pattern tie. The tie above is the Whimsical Pink Elephants Tie by Thomas Pink. Brands such as Hermes, Thomas Pink, and Salvatore Ferragamo are looked highly upon by many because of their quality and pleasant designs. The trade off for the craftsmanship and "brand name" that these ties command will be a price tag of well over $100. If you are seriously considering one, I would advise going the Ebay route. You can pick up used/vintage ties for $30 to $100 depending on the brand and condition. As always, I suggest "buying the seller" and checking the tie dimensions and condition.
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| Back to London |
The company, founded in 1984, was named after a tailor by the name of Thomas Pink. If you don't really care about history and prestige, then there is no need to worry because they do make one great tie. This particular tie cost me $25 and for an Ebay find, it was nearly flawless. The first I noticed was the feel of the tie and how vibrant the colors were compared to my off the shelf ties. The silk makes it extremely smooth and there is a sharp contrast between the rich blue and whitish pink. As for the dimensions, it is about 3 inches wide and 58 inches long. Another huge difference would be in the way that it ties a knot. The experience is hard to explain but, when you compare it to cheaper ties, you will notice how it seems almost effortless and comes out perfectly each time.
What I really enjoy most about this tie is its versatility. Blue is a very "safe" color that is applicable for any occasion while the pink elephant motif prevents it from being boring. As you can see, each elephant is very detailed and the way that they are positioned, it makes appear as a simple striped tie from far. This makes it great for the work place if you are looking from something that will not stand out. The general rule of thumb is, "The color of the tie should always be darker than the color of the shirt." Therefore, a light blue, light pink, or white shirt that is solid will work best. No matter what, I always recommend going with the Four-in-Hand or Half-Windsor knot.
Overall, this tie a great conversation starter and can make your outfit a little more fun. If you find yourself really enjoying Whimsical Ties, the next best thing would be to start collecting Hermes ties which I consider to have the best designs.
