Necktie clasp/bar

[bishop]

These have fallen out of favor as of late, but like the simple white rectangle of pocket square protruding out of a suit jacket, I wonder if they're coming back. (FWIW, I prefer that pocket square arrangement over any of the others.)

Being a tall fellow, many of my favorite neckties are too short for the small end to fit nicely in the loop after they are properly tied. Moving to a Pratt knot has helped this, but I still have to employ a paperclip some days to keep it together. I hate that small end flying about.

I wonder if a simple, understated tie bar clasp would be in order. No chains, no jewels, just a simple gold bar. Part of me associates these with shortsleeve dress shirts and used car salesmen, but I think I could pull it off. Nothing I wear otherwise goes anywhere in that direction.

Any wearers here? Non-wearers, what are your reactions?

 

[Mr_Amazing]

I'm not tall, but have a larger neck, so I tend to get the same problem, just maybe not as severe. I use a small pin to keep the back end from flying all over.

The real solution is a bit more simple though. Buy longer ties. It's my understanding that they are made in different lengths because people come in different sizes.

 

[bishop]

I have x-long ties but I find that the patterns & colors are not always of my liking. I'll buy a fantastic-looking tie at a good price, even if it's not x-long. If I'm paying more than $20, though, it's going to be x-long.

The tie bar will be to hold those "look great but not long enough" ties in place. Heck, I may use it to hold all the ties in place. In my line of work it would be useful.

I use a small pin to keep the back end from flying all over.

Do you mean a safety or straight pin, visible only from the back, or a small tie pin? Either way, I'd rather not poke holes in my ties. Hence, the paperclip.

You know, something I just thought of: a tie clasp would allow a slight arch just below the well-done knot. I think I've convinced myself...a simple gold clasp, no decoration or pattern. What say you folk?

 

[EvilGobi]

I work in a bank and always had visions of my tie hanging in my stamp pad, so I started wearing a tie-clip a long time ago. There are tons of different ones, from understated to over-the-top, definately something for everyone. I wont even wear at tie without one anymore.

 

[Deltaboy]

I have got a couple but they are hard to find outside of Jewelry stores. I bought my last one at Kohls.

 

[EvilGobi]

Yeah, even jewelry stores don't carry them sometimes. My wife did by me one from a chain-mens-clothing store for christmas last year though, maybe they carry them sometimes.

 

[hdhaskell]

I never wear tie clips -- don't even own one -- because I, too, associate them with Dilbert-like inelegance. But (at least now, post-Mad Men) I think they've been rehabilitated. As long as the rest of your ensemble doesn't fall into a geeky pattern, I think they're fine.

In fact, I think that throwing in unexpected details, like a tie bar, should be a goal. It shows that you think for yourself. It calls attention to the rest of your outfit, which is hopefully good. It shows imagination. Girls like those qualities.

 

[benvh]

A lot of my vintage ties (30s-60s) don't even have a loop to use for tucking, so a clip is almost always needed. Even if I don't need one for that purpose, I like how it looks as well as how it keeps the tie from both flapping in the wind or falling into my food

 

[CMATakashi]

I feel like wearing some sort of hardware to keep your tie to your body is necessary in nearly every situation. If I wear jackets and unexpectedly take it off (for driving with the windows down or something) I do a tie tuck. And when I went in for work having to wear ties, I always had a bar. Tacks are a little scary for me because I don't like to put holes in my ties.

The purpose for this nowadays I think is for just keeping a tie of out of the way.

 

[firehydrant]

I always wear a tie clasp or a tie tac. It drives me crazy to have my tie flapping in the breeze.

My tie clasp was my Father's and part of a set that included matching cuff links. I have yet to use the cuff links.

 

[Mercer]

If you don't want your tie clip to show, take an old shirt and cut a strip containing two buttonholes. Use fabric glue to seal the ends. then loop the strip through the loop on the back of the tie. Button the strip on the nearest buttons, and there you are.

My favorite tie bars are the ones with the chain that loops a button. It gives control without the dorkieness.

 

[bishop]

If you don't want your tie clip to show, take an old shirt and cut a strip containing two buttonholes. Use fabric glue to seal the ends. then loop the strip through the loop on the back of the tie. Button the strip on the nearest buttons, and there you are.

My favorite tie bars are the ones with the chain that loops a button. It gives control without the dorkieness.

That only fixes half my problem. Sometimes the short end doesn't go through the loop because the tie is not long enough.

I have used the bar a few times and like it very much. I may, however, opt to have some ties altered. That is, move the loop up. I prefer some of my patterns to be uninterrupted by a gold bar.

 

[paddy-boy]

Easy soultion gents:
Waistcoat

 

[johnmrson]

Depending on the length of the tie, I'll either use a tie bar or a tie pin to keep the small end in place if it isn't long enough to fit in the loop which most aren't if you use a Windsor knot.

 

[Razor Emporium]

i own 2 or 3 of them, but can't find the right combination to not make them look cheesy with what I am wearing. Of course, i am a minimalist.

 

[cvac]

You might want to look into:

www.tiecrafters.com

They may be able to lengthen your ties by adding a piece of silk fabric to the part that goes around your neck.

For taller guys, you need longer ties. Some companies will also make ties to custom lengths, or sell ties in longer lengths.

The only tie clips I really like are plain silver bar ones like this:

http://jpressonline.com/accessories_tie_bars_detail.php?ix=4

 

[luvmysuper]

I know you ruled it out, but still I much prefer the small chain type tie keeper.
It provides enough freedom that you don't pull on the tie, no matter what position your in, sitting, standing or reaching.
The back end of the tie should slip through the tie label on the larger part, then the chain holds it in place.
The chain clip slips over a button.
Very understated and not at all gaudy.
.
.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

"Mixed emotions, buddy. Like Larry Wildman going off a cliff in my new Maserati."

 

[biomesh]

I know you ruled it out, but still I much prefer the small chain type tie keeper.
It provides enough freedom that you don't pull on the tie, no matter what position your in, sitting, standing or reaching.
The back end of the tie should slip through the tie label on the larger part, then the chain holds it in place.
The chain clip slips over a button.
Very understated and not at all gaudy.
.
.

I personally do not like clips, but a chain similar to the one you posted is one I like to use. I am tall, and even with the "tall" ties, it can be difficult to tie a windsor knot and be able to get the narrow end of the tie to tuck properly.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I prefer a tie clasp to a chain. I have several in sterling silver and even have small ones for my skinny ties. I usually buy them on ebay.