S.O.S. (Surplus Outdated Stuff) with Amy Moyer: Neckties

Whereas necktie style has declined for many years, many tie lovers nonetheless have a rack or a couple of specialty hangers of their closets chock-full of this easy-to-store males’s accent. So, what do you do with these outdated ties for the reason that secondary market is sufficiently well-stocked? From donating to crafting with them, S.O.S. (Surplus Outdated Stuff) is on the job. On the end line, you’ll find 25 Uses for Old Neckties, all DIY strategies within the spirit of reusing and recycling.

Ties, Cravats, Ascots, Bolos

Neckties have been round for a couple of hundred years, so regardless of media declarations of the accent’s finish of days, the necktie could also be one factor that goes out and in of style. Nonetheless, this doesn’t assist the scores of ties bursting out of closets. Neckties first gained reputation within the early 1600s, when Parisians have been launched to Croatian mercenaries sporting tied neckerchiefs throughout the Thirty Years’ Battle. The French phrase for a tie, “cravate,” has its etymological origins within the French phrase for Croatian, “Croate.” Even at this time, ties are often known as cravates in France, corbatas in Spain, and cravatte in Italy. In English-speaking international locations at this time, a cravat is extra of a neckband or tied scarf.

As with many fashionable clothes gadgets, the necktie has advanced over the centuries to incorporate shares, bow ties, ascots, bolos, and plenty of extra variations. Leather-based shares have been practical, defending troopers’ necks from bayonet assaults, whereas fabric shares have been extra ornamental. Bow ties emerged from neckties’ knots changing into more and more sophisticated, providing the person a fancy fabric puzzle to resolve. Ascots have been just like cravats and really formal ties, usually paired with morning coats at weddings. Bolos are maybe among the finest ties price saving and accumulating, as many function advantageous supplies like sterling silver and turquoise, and acknowledged Indigenous artisans have crafted some.

Black Tie, Yellow Tie

Circling again to conventional Twentieth-century neckties, these fellows are the culprits behind the glut in lots of a person’s closet. Positive, there have been a long time when neckties weren’t simply in style but additionally anticipated particularly social {and professional} conditions. “Black Tie” affairs name out the necktie requirement particularly, and no male banker or lawyer price his mettle could be seen with out a necktie till the top of the Twentieth century. Neckties modified in width, size, and coloration throughout all this time, with the Eighties seeing some significantly dreadful traits with “skinny ties” worn by rockers in bands like Huey Lewis and the Information. Likewise, Eighties professionals succumbed to this identical decade’s ugly “yellow tie” development, as in the event that they have been breaking boundaries by straying from the standard reds, greens, and blues.

Heading into the twenty first century, nonetheless, one other development was taking maintain worldwide: informal and quick style. These banks and regulation corporations now had “Informal Fridays” not requiring a tie (or go well with) in any respect, and other people began realizing how snug sweatpants (and shortly, athleisure) actually have been. The neckties in everybody’s closets began feeling as forlorn because the Velveteen Rabbit, however due to their small measurement and expensive funding, they normally didn’t meet the destiny of spring cleansing closet cleanouts. “Who is aware of, possibly formal dressing will return,” some males thought. “It’s not as if we’ll have a world-changing occasion like a world pandemic the place everybody has to remain dwelling of their pajamas for a 12 months.” Oops…

4 Piles: Donate, Promote, Save, and Craft

So, right here we’re in 2023, and I believe it’s time to confront the neckties. What do you do with them? My recommendation is to begin from the highest down, with a little bit of Marie Kondo thrown in. We’ll make 4 piles: Donate, Promote, Save, and Craft. Take away all of the neckties out of your closet and lay them in your mattress. Now that you could see all of them, do you notice you’ll by no means put on all of them once more?

Let’s begin weeding—ties with stains or from department shops (e.g., Lord & Taylor, Strawbridge’s, or Gimbels) can go within the Donate pile. Ensure to flip every tie over and search for tags of luxurious or extremely collectible manufacturers, equivalent to Chanel or Lilly Pulitzer. These might not present windfall income ($50 to $100 worth), however they’re higher off within the Promote pile. Put ties with acquainted designs, equivalent to your college’s brand, or sentimental worth within the Save pile. However don’t get carried away—lay out all those with an emotional attachment, just like the tie you wore to your first job interview, communion, or highschool commencement, and choose the three finest: one inexperienced, one blue, and one pink. Save these three, take an image of the remaining ties, say “thanks” to them à la Marie Kondo, and chuck them. You can even divide them into the Donate and Craft piles. Voilà! It’s best to solely have about 5 ties left to hold again in your closet, which can possible final you the subsequent a number of a long time.

By this level, you might be left with the Donate, Promote, and Craft piles. When you’ve got the bandwidth, checklist the ties within the Promote pile on the secondary market. If not, shift these fellows into the Donate and Craft piles. Donate the worn and stained ones someplace that can responsibly recycle the material. Many public colleges now have “textile recycling bins” the place some proceeds profit the colleges—speak about a win-win. As for the ties in higher situation, with out stains, and hopefully not terribly out of favor, search out a nonprofit such because the Salvation Military or Vietnam Veterans of America. Gross sales of your donations assist financially assist these nonprofits, and who is aware of, a job seeker in want might choose up one in every of your ties to put on to an interview. Right here in Massachusetts, we also have a program referred to as Suits & Smiles with Project Smile, which gives donated skilled apparel (neckties!) to males in want.

The Tie Has Been Solid

Drained but? If not, it’s time to craft together with your Craft pile. Luckily, many elderly neckties are product of great materials equivalent to silk and have enjoyable, retro designs. Keep in mind the ties your dad or grandpa wore within the Seventies? These are good for reducing into quilt squares, coasters, collages, and extra. I haven’t seen one but, but when artists are actually making sailors’ valentines out of trash washed up on the seaside, absolutely one can begin making them out of ties. For quilts, Christine Copenhaver has written a whole guide, Necktie Quilts Reinvented, about quilting with ties. Like crafting with outdated fur coats, your main device is a pointy pair of shears. A glue gun might assist, however you additionally might find yourself stitching or stitching many of those tasks. A few of these minor gadgets are good for gift-giving, so hold the vacations in thoughts as you begin stitching up lavender sachets, for instance. When you begin reducing, the “tie” has been forged, and whereas there isn’t a going again, you possibly can relaxation simple realizing that your outdated neckties are protected of their new lives … lavender sachets and all!

25 Makes use of for Outdated Neckties

1. Quilt
2. Coaster
3. Serviette
4. Hat to your cat
5. Canine leash
6. Sailor’s valentine
7. Collage
8. Skirt
9. Gown
10. Apron
11. Awning
12. Chuppah
13. Flag
14. Espresso cozy
15. Lampshade
16. Ottoman cowl
17. Windsock
18. Desk runner
19. Woven seat cushion
20. Pillow
21. Lavender sachet
22. Purse
23. Christmas tree skirt
24. Wine tote
25. Sleep masks

Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Artwork, Antiques & Collectibles (www.antmuffin.com). She holds a B.A. in Visible Artwork from Brown College and lives in Boston.

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