Tag / the tie bar

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: The Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Sweater – A New Twist on a Holiday Staple

There’s a time and a place to embrace the charms of the festive holiday season, and that time and place happens to be right now. While there’s something to be said for keeping your rotation of the best winter sweaters well-stocked no matter what — from a cozy shawl cardigan to a crisp V-neck sweater or a sporty-yet-refined quarter-zip sweater — it’s about time we had a little tasteful fun with one of the best holiday sweaters for men.

And that’s where The Tie Bar enters the fray, already purveyor of crisply designed, modern-meets-retro ties, sweaters, cardigans, sweater polos and even crisp dress shirts.

In fact, you still likely know The Tie Bar for its commitment to highly affordable neckwear, no matter the season, but the brand has become much more than that in recent years — let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Find out more now at The Tie Bar

The Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater helps see to that, nodding to the heritage of the iconic Fair Isle sweater, yet this time using seasonal colors and a tastefully understated pattern (your classic “Ugly Christmas Sweater,” this certainly is not. The Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater also retails right now for the standout price of $49, a steal of a deal for a sweater made from 100 percent Merino wool.

It’s also not a bad thing that this Tie Bar merino sweater so happens to look excellent whether worn with dark blue indigo jeans or charcoal corduroy trousers in equal measure — the kind of Christmas sweater made to be dressed up or dressed down.

That means the Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater is naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating (feel free to wear it over a long-sleeve cotton tee or an Oxford shirt in equal measure). It should also fit in tailored fashion — with enough room to layer, yet not cut so tight as to prove uncomfortable, nor too loose to look sloppy.

It’s the small details that make the difference, as well as stylish details like the understated and classic Fair Isle pattern in a rich color combination that, once again, is a good ways away from the Ugly Christmas sweaters you’ve grown so accustomed to seeing in years gone by.

With the proper blend of affordability, quality, highly functional fabrication and timeless good looks, I’d wager the Tie Bar Merino Fair Isle Crewneck Sweater is one of the best men’s sweaters to buy now for Christmas, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Shawl Cardigan from The Tie Bar is a Modern Merino Take on a Classic

Every so often, the chance to review a true gem of a menswear find crosses my inbox (in fact, that’s more likely the case every day — what a gig!). And in these times, especially as the sun sets earlier and temperatures turn ever more brisk, I’m always on the lookout for the right layers for the job at hand: In this case, one of the best men’s sweaters is a must-have, along with my rotation of the best denim shirts, stretch chinos and of course rugged leather boots aplenty.

And at least in my assortment of stylish men’s sweaters, I’ve been wildly impressed with one in particular as of late: That’d be The Tie Bar Merino Heritage Shawl Cardigan, a rugged winner of a piece that I simply can’t stop wearing.

Find out more and shop now at The Tie Bar

I’m willing to bet you know The Tie Bar from this blog and elsewhere, as my reviews of The Tie Bar have dove into its highly affordable assortment of neckwear, tailoring and suiting accessories for the modern man.

But the latest and greatest — again, the The Tie Bar Merino Heritage Shawl Cardigan — presents a different look for the brand, offering up a sense of refined-yet-rugged appeal in modern merino fabric. Not bad for one of the best men’s cardigans, am I right or am I right?

The The Tie Bar Merino Heritage Shawl Cardigan is nothing less than ultra-soft and yet sturdy enough for seasonal layering, with thick ribbed knit stitching that gives it structure and shape.

The shawl collar is warm while framing the face, and this handsome shawl cardigan is able to be dressed up crisply (with a classic Oxford shirt, for instance) or dressed down ever so slightly atop a thermal henley. It makes for versatility aplenty, dependable style and dashing good looks that call to mind other menswear icons who love the shawl collar cardigan (looking at you, Mr. Steve McQueen).

There’s a sense of structure and style to the The Tie Bar Merino Heritage Shawl Cardigan, which also happens to be a downright steal at $128.

And it doesn’t hurt that its Nutmeg color is able to pair stylishly with dark indigo denim, with olive chinos or with grey or burgundy corduroy trousers, to name but a few ways you can wear your new favorite fall sweater. When temperatures plummet and reliable style and warmth remain top of mind, you’ve assuredly found a winner with this rugged-yet-versatile shawl cardigan, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Save 30 Percent On This Elegant Cardigan from The Tie Bar

Best cardigans for men.

There’s a rarified air to some of the best style staples of the fall season, the type of pieces we talk about consistently here on this Brooklyn style blog — take the easygoing elegance and versatility of one of the best cardigans for men.

The cardigan, as we’ve talked about many a time on this menswear blog, is a throwback piece that’s had its moment in the sun as preppy pieces of all shades and varieties have come back around in the fashion cycle.

And although they’re perhaps best known for making wildly affordable neckwear and tailoring accessories, don’t sleep on the rest of the lineup at The Tie Bar — from crisp dress shirts to the Tie Bar Leisure Merino Cardigan shown above.

Find out more now at The Tie Bar

The brand has excelled in recent years at making the sort of style moves perfectly complemented by the right tie — so, crisp white dress shirts and surprisingly soft and affordable men’s sweaters and trousers are also on the menu. And today, the Tie Bar Sale section is primetime for stylish savings.

The Tie Bar Leisure Merino Cardigan takes some of the best of the best when it comes to fiber and fabrication — that’d be merino wool, which is naturally temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking, keeping you comfortable yet warm when needed, whether worn over a classic Oxford shirt or a slightly more rugged chambray dress shirt. Of course, you can also use a pick like the Tie Bar Leisure Merino Cardigan to replace a blazer when paired with wool dress trousers or rust-hued stretch chinos this fall season.

In a crisp and versatile shade of Navy — and especially when marked down to 30 percent off right now — the Tie Bar Leisure Merino Cardigan becomes a downright steal of a stylish sweater. Textured vertical ribbing up the body of this handsome sweater is offset by a horizontal ribbed placket for a touch of added design detailing (note that The Tie Bar also sells more burly shawl cardigans as well, if that’s more your speed).

The brand says this easygoing-yet-sharp sweater is defined by the “refined comfort of premium Merino wool,” and for a price that’s just a shade above $60 on sale, that’s more than good enough in my book. Layer up right now with the discounted excellence of the Tie Bar Leisure Merino Cardigan.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: You Can Get 3 Premium Polos from The Tie Bar for Just $150 Right Now

Finding a deal in the high heat of spring and summer, particularly on a staple item you can dress up or dress down practically every single day, is a tricky proposition — unless you know where to look, that is. And in my experience, especially over the past few years, the good folks at The Tie Bar are meeting the moment handily in terms of both affordability and variety — across a full spectrum of menswear essentials, not just the company’s famously budget-conscious (and stylish) neckwear options.

Learn more now and shop at The Tie Bar

Just in time for rooftop soirees and warm-weather formal occasions with a leisurely tilt, The Tie Bar is offering up a stellar deal on a positively massive array of stylish men’s polos: Right now, take your pick of any three polos for $150 at The Tie Bar.

You could feasibly cover your entire weekend wardrobe — from Friday happy hour to a weekend BBQ to a Sunday round of golf — with three polos for a stellar deal, and the great news is, the Chicago-based company offers plenty of variety in its lineup, to boot.

Best spring and summer polos for men.

At just $50 a pop (math!), the company’s offerings are crisp, elegant and yet laidback in their own way — particularly its wide selection of vintage-inspired sweater polos, prep-inspired tipped polos in soft cotton, and even sweater-tee hybrids. The Tie Bar’s polo lineup gets the job done in terms of office-ready polish and plenty of seasonal comfort — in my experience wearing The Tie Bar shirts and sweaters, its fabric selection is soft and packed with stretch, yet doesn’t wrinkle easily or lose its shape.

The same should surely hold true across the entirety of The Tie Bar’s polo lineup, which even includes full-button front sweater polo options and an array of plaid and stripe colors. Again, these polos are soft in terms of construction, sized properly for a flattering, not overly tight, fit, and available in a range of vibrant colors and patterns to suit every taste.

And yes, you can score three options from The Tie Bar’s polo lineup for just $150 right now. Spring and summer style just got a whole lot easier, more affordable and more efficient, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Wool Topcoat from The Tie Bar is A Luxurious Winter Style Statement

Best topcoat for men to buy this winter.

One of the best parts of the holiday season, if you ask me, revolves around the chance to step up your style game ever so slightly. It’s not just reserved for December, though — it goes for the rest of winter as well, if you’re lucky enough to live in a climate with a cycle of seasons.

By that, I mean embracing the chance to try out something a bit more dressy, a bit more refined –something like the luxurious (yet fairly affordable!) stylish men’s topcoat from The Tie Bar seen at the top of the page.

Learn more now at The Tie Bar

Outerwear makes the man and sets the tone for what’s on your schedule: That could mean everything from a holiday party in the city or a visit to a cool speakeasy. Why not live a little and step up your outerwear game, particularly if you’re wearing dress trousers and a classic shawl cardigan, for instance? That’s why we’re gathered here today, after all: If your look is more dressy — even opting for dark jeans and a crisply cut sweater — consider a change of pace aside from your trusty winter parka.

And in my book, the holiday season is all about upgrades, your new favorite winter topcoat included. That can mean reaching for a premium flannel shirt — an upgrade from a flannel workshirt — or that can mean opting for one of the best white dress shirts beneath your favorite blazer, as opposed to a slightly more casual Oxford shirt.

You see? Upgraded outerwear, upgraded #OOTD for any occasion that calls for putting your best foot forward.

Shop outerwear, ties and more at The Tie Bar

Through it all, The Tie Bar’s Camel Hair Topcoat is going to prove an incredible piece of outerwear when the occasion leans slightly more dressy. Anytime you want to make a statement — with a chambray shirt, dark denim and leather boots or with your best wool winter suit — this Tie Bar topcoat is a remarkable move, at least in my book. It shows you mean business and know how to dress for stylish winter and holiday occasions.

The Tie Bar wool topcoat.

This particular option is made from soft 100 percent camel hair and then finished with interior pockets and a three-button front, plus a length that’s more than long enough to cover a blazer or suit jacket. I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet: The Tie Bar’s Camel Hair Topcoat retails for under $600, a steal of a price considering similar jackets of this style retail for closer to $1,000.

That’s the last word: It’s effortlessly cool, it’s dressy and elegant, and it’s highly affordable. Your next tailored look this season just got even better, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Tie Bar is Making the Perfect Casual Flannel Shirt for the Holiday Season (And Beyond)

Best casual flannel shirt for men.

A guy’s wardrobe, especially in the busy holiday season (it’s nearly December, after all!) calls for variety, versatility and comfort — oh, and winter warmth, in most cases. Where’s a well-dressed man like yourself to turn? I’m a supporter of many an online brand with a narrow focus (like pants or stylish leather boots), but I also appreciate when a company branches out beyond its specialty into new, complementary territory.

Take The Tie Bar. Yes, the brand has long made a vast selection of wildly affordable men’s ties, but the company now does everything from the best white dress shirt to the best shawl cardigan. And now, you can add your new favorite flannel shirt to that list.

Shop men’s shirts and more at The Tie Bar

The Tie Bar Rugged Plaid Blue Casual Shirt lives up to its name in more ways than one — I appreciate that you know what you’re getting right off the bat in terms of fabrication and style. Made from 100 percent brushed cotton that’s got a flannel-like texture and feel, this shirt should prove soft to the touch.

Best flannel shirt for men.

Crucially, it’s also lightweight enough to comfortably layer under a Tie Bar shawl cardigan, your favorite sweater or one of the best winter blazers. The Tie Bar has also outfitted it with other details that place the Tie Bar Rugged Plaid Blue Casual Shirt squarely in a more laidback realm: Take the Oxford shirt-esque buttondown collar and the chest pocket.


Tailored sizing should prove a flattering fit up to size XL, and the design of this stylish casual shirt is such that it should look great tucked in with your favorite pair of corduroy pants and a wool blazer, or untucked alongside some of the best blue jeans for men and classic leather boots.

Learn more now at The Tie Bar

But here’s perhaps the best part: The Tie Bar Rugged Plaid Blue Casual Shirt retails for a very agreeable $60 at full price, but goes for a mere $30 when on sale (as it happens to be as of press time). Stocking up for stylish, cozy, casual winter times just got even easier, and The Tie Bar should prove a new holiday favorite.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Shawl Cardigan from The Tie Bar Is an Essential Sweater for the Holidays

Best shawl collar cardigan for men.

There are certain essentials a guy needs on hand in the colder months, especially during the festive holiday season — this, of course, you know all too well if you read the blog. That includes dressy options like one of the best white dress shirts, and it goes for pieces that are both more rugged and refined in equal measure. Take one of the best shawl cardigans for men, one that you can find right now at The Tie Bar.

Shop holiday essentials at The Tie Bar

The silhouette has been embraced by everyone from Steve McQueen to Daniel Craig over the years, and it’s a piece I personally love. So, let’s up the ante even further with help from my friends at The Tie Bar. Yes indeed, the maker of some of the most affordable men’s ties on the market is now making one of the best men’s sweaters, and I’ve had the chance to check it out firsthand in recent weeks.

The Tie Bar Cable Shawl Cardigan is an impressive layering option in its own right alongside the brand’s crisply cut dress shirts and expertly fashioned, cost-effective ties. And it’s got plenty to love about it, starting with the richly crafted cable detailing, just like they used to make ’em in the old days.

Best shawl collar cardigan for men.

That detailing gives it texture and depth, while the shawl collar frames the face and allows you to show off a dress shirt and tie (or a classic chambray shirt). Particularly in a classic burgundy color, it’s an especially seasonally friendly sweater to wear at home in front of a roaring fire or as a fine layering option at a holiday party. I haven’t even mentioned the best part — you can find it right now at The Tie Bar for a mere $98.

Shop sweaters and more at The Tie Bar

Plus, the cotton and wool blend should prove both toasty and yet not overly stuffy. When you want one of the best men’s cardigans to shake up your winter layering in essential fashion, reach for The Tie Bar’s handsome shawl collar sweater, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Tie Bar Is Making the Best White Dress Shirt This Season

The Tie Bar white dress shirt review.

For as much as I love to wear rugged menswear on the daily, be it one of the best men’s henleys or a classic leather jacket, I know (and you know!) that there’s a time and a place where refined dressing is of the utmost importance.

That’s never more true than the holidays: Evening dinners, office parties, even a dressed-up visit with (gulp) your in-laws might lend itself to looking polished and proper. There’s no time like the present to start preparing, I say.

Sounds a bit intimidating, right? No need to fear, because comfort, style and affordability are just a few clicks away with one of my favorite places to buy tailoring online. I’m talking, of course, about The Tie Bar.

I’ve had a rotation of stylish men’s ties from The Tie Bar in my closet for years, but you might have overlooked the brand’s sharply cut dress shirts. Not anymore though, and they’re even making one of the best white dress shirts just in time for your refined holiday occasions (and days at the office, and nights on the town).

Heck, The Tie Bar even partnered with Miller High Life on a range of fun fall accessories, but let’s talk about The Tie Bar’s Herringbone White Dress Shirt, shall we?

Best white dress shirt for men.

It features a crisp white colorway with a subtle herringbone construction and a non-iron design, so it should resist wrinkles. The semi-spread collar is also highly versatile among men’s dress shirts — it wears remarkably well with a tie, but the collar is crisp enough to wear sans tie underneath a sweater from The Tie Bar (for instance).

Find out more at The Tie Bar

What’s even better right now is that this high-quality men’s dress shirt is a nice deal when bundled (get 3 for $150, for instance. Of course, you can also get 10 percent off your first order of $99 at The Tie Bar, complete with free shipping, so perhaps it’s in your best interest to pick up a selection of dress shirts and some of the most affordable men’s ties on the market, yes? At least, that’s my take.

Shop and save now at The Tie Bar

And if you’ve been searching for stylish men’s clothing for work, this white shirt can more than pull double-duty for your 9-to-5 and beyond. You already know The Tie Bar for exceptionally well-priced men’s accessories — this season, give The Tie Bar’s men’s dress shirts a good, long look. Cheers and happy shopping, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Tie Bar Semi-Annual Sale, The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts & Home Goods at UNCRATE

The Tie Bar Annual Sale - Shop The Tie Bar's 50% Off Sale 24 Hours Early

The end of another work week looms, and perhaps, a return to the office has you thinking: You need to upgrade your office wardrobe in 2022. How to do that, when you might very well be rusty at dressing up properly? I can’t give you all the tips, but I can direct you towards The Tie Bar Semi-Annual Sale, a whopping final sale offering with discounts on the best office menswear, from shirts to ties to pocket squares. Now through January 18th, get an extra 25 percent off thousands of sale items, including items already marked down 30-50 percent. So, you’re essentially looking at as much as 75 percent off at The Tie Bar this weekend into next week. Sounds too good to be true, right? Not once you start shopping, that is. It’s time to suit up again, my friends.

Shop The Tie Bar’s Semi-Annual Sale

Of course, if you’re first looking to take on more athleisure-minded pursuits while refreshing your wardrobe, that’s perfectly acceptable, too (might I point you toward these sustainable quilted sweatpants for weekend errands and even day hikes?). There’s lots to consider when refreshing your wardrobe (and home goods!) for a new year, which I myself have been thinking about through frosty Brooklyn days. I’ll have some laidback time in the borough to consider it all across these next few days, with writing on tap for the Huckberry Journal and an exciting project in the works soon for Bespoke Post. I’m making sure to shake things up from sweats with a pair of the best men’s jeans, too. It’s all happening, and I’d invite you to check out the rest of today’s Friday Read to sort your weekend shopping and style. Cheers!

  • There’s no shortage of occasions to prepare yourself for this winter, right? That goes for office-minded dressing (don’t forget about the The Tie Bar Semi-Annual Sale), but it’s also important to ensure your space at home is in good order, too. Particularly if you want a retreat when you return home, and especially if you’re still working for home, I love the well-curated, thoughtful and rugged-yet-refined offering of home goods at UNCRATE right now, including the handsome D.S. & Durga Portable Fireplace Candle shown above. It’s the little touches that make the difference, and that could be one of the best candles for your home right now.
Stock up on home goods at UNCRATE
  • As with outfitting yourself for the office or outfitting your home, I’m all about carefully considered details. If you’ve read the blog, you know that extends to the wristwatch you wear, too. Perhaps you’re familiar with VAER Watches, an acclaimed and fast-growing maker of the best men’s watches specializing in both quartz (battery-powered) watches and a full section of the best automatic watches for men. They focus on casual, rugged field watches and classically elegant, yet hard-wearing, dive watches, all of which are reasonably priced and very well-made. Give them a look the next time your watch collection needs a refresh.
Shop men’s watches at VAER
  • It’s just about the right time to start plotting out your Valentine’s Day, right? Or perhaps you’re in search of some *ahem* recommendations to forward on to your partner, yes? You’re in luck, because I wrote all about the coolest, best non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gifts for him over at SPY.com. These picks are anything but ordinary, if I do say so myself. Let me know what you think in the comments.
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That’ll wrap up today’s edition of the Friday Read, hopefully, leaving you with enough time to check out The Tie Bar’s Semi-Annual Sale or shop for home goods at UNCRATE — what say you about that, ehh? Speaking of UNCRATE and other outstanding menswear, I’ve got quite the roundup to send you into your weekend. Check out my Monday blog post, if you please, to read all about the best new menswear at UNCRATE. Serious wardrobe upgrades await, my friends. Cheers again and thanks for reading!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Mack Weldon’s New Gear, The Tie Bar’s Semi-Annual Sale & The Best Sub-$200 Watches

Mack Weldon | Reinventing Men's Basics

Stepping into the weekend with a one-stop shop in mind for your favorite menswear just got a bit easier – at least, it looks that way to me when I check out the Mack Weldon Daily Wear System. Coming from a retailer as excellent as Mack Weldon, it’s a perfect system to consider as we kick off another Friday Read. You see, be it the brand’s excellent boxer briefs, comfortable socks, efficient and performance-minded buttondown shirts or the Mack Weldon Tech Chinos that we talked about earlier this week, the NYC-based brand really is one that can help you do it all. Consider this a recommendation or an endorsement to get your weekend rolling the right way. If you haven’t yet checked out Mack Weldon, now is the perfect time. And as to some other recommendations for the weekend? Well, I’m glad you asked.

HELM Boots

I’m closing out a busy week after an upstate trip with Laphroaig Scotch, so I’m looking forward to catching up on reading and relaxing myself (but not too much – keep on reading!). The trip was a chance to test the brand’s latest offerings, and it was an homage to the fact that the famed distillery hosts a fly fishing festival every year in Scotland. From Tuesday’s “staycation” at the Arlo Midtown to a fly-fishing demo Wednesday morning and a lovely stay at the incredible Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY, it was a seriously unique trip the likes of which I’ve never been on. Although I wasn’t all that great at the tricky sport of fly fishing, I really enjoyed myself nonetheless!

HELM Boots

I’ve got another trip coming up sooner than you might think, as well — I’m hitting the road tomorrow for a one-night getaway to try out what should be an excellent bar and hotel combination, the Riggs Hotel Washington, D.C., which is properly reopening after a year and change of the pandemic. Go ahead and give me a follow on Instagram to keep up with the latest and greatest! And in the meantime, the rest of today’s Friday Read is yours for the taking. Cheers, my friends!

Restock Your Whole Wardrobe Via The Tie Bar's Semi-Annual Sale - InsideHook
  • Need a new dress shirt or tie as you head back to the office? Well, I’ve got just the solution for you. The Tie Bar’s Semi-Annual Sale is stocking and selling the best men’s dress shirts, ties and accessories for a return to the office and summer weddings aplenty, and they’re giving you discounts of up to 50 percent off all the while. Sounds like an ideal chance to stock up ASAP.
  • Here’s another reading recommendation for you this weekend. Summer brings with it plenty of opportunities to camp and explore the great outdoors. With that being said, you should certainly keep in mind the fact that you’re going to need a dependable jacket for all those pursuits on and off the trail. Head to The Manual to check out my guide to the best cheap North Face jacket deals this season. Good luck out there, folks.
  • I’ve been a fan of the excellent men’s lifestyle site Primer Magazine since 2012. The site covers everything a guy need to get dressed on the daily, live a fulfilling life, shop in style and decorate your apartment, and that’s why it was such a pleasure to cover the best men’s watches under $200. Give it a read and let me know what you think in the comments below.

That’ll wrap up today’s rather quick-hit Friday Read. Want something else to kick off your weekend with energy and spirit in mind? Head over to my twice-weekly newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief — a play off the title of this blog! — where I talk about my favorite new (and old) music, menswear, craft beer and more. If you like indie rock and indie pop, with the classics thrown in, then this is the right way to go (in my humble opinion!). Enjoy the weekend, stay safe and shop & read with style in mind, my friends!