Limited-Time Offer! Introducing The Ivy Style Club Tie
November 25, 2016
Ivy-Style.com just celebrated its eighth birthday and reached 1,500 posts. That’s a lot of topics, contributors, and readers. We figured it was time to bring everyone and everything together symbolically with our very own Ivy Style Club Tie.
The project grew out of Ivy Style’s Facebook group at the suggestion of a member. I came up with the concept, and friend and accessories designer Matthew Karl Gale executed the design. The tie’s motif is a seal that mysteriously juxtaposes a wasp, a pair of scissors, a trumpet, a chrysanthemum, and the letters XLIV.
What does it mean? Well, it tells a certain story of the Ivy League Look.
The wasp represents the WASP tribe, which founded the Ivy League colleges and whose tastes and values led to the creation of the Ivy clothing genre.
The scissors represent Jewish tailors, a nunber of whom settled in New Haven at the turn of the century, who contributed so much to the genre: J. Press, Arthur M. Rosenberg, Fenn-Feinstein, Chipp, Gant, Norman Hilton, and many others.
The trumpet, represented as a medieval horn for a nod to heraldry, symbolizes the jazz musicians who got hip to the look; specifically Miles Davis, as my 2008 article about Miles getting dressed by The Andover Shop inspired me to found Ivy-Style.com.
The chrysanthemum is often considered the national flower of Japan, the country that has done so much to preserve the Ivy League Look, through its ownership of J. Press and through companies such as VAN and Kamakura Shirts. One of Ivy Style’s most popular early posts was W. David Marx’s article on the Miyuki-zoku youth tribe of the ‘60s. Marx then went on to write the book “Ametora” about Japan’s close relationship with the Ivy League Look.
Finally there are roman numerals for the number 44, which represents 44th Street in Manhattan, the epicenter of Madison Avenue style during the heyday, where Brooks Brothers, J. Press and Chipp were located (with the Harvard and Yale Clubs just a stone’s throw away), and where Brooks’ flagship stands to this day. And if you happen to be a heavy guy who like natural shoulder clothing, it could also mean XL Ivy.
We think the tie speaks to the many fascinating stories behind the Ivy League Look and the diverse community of the website’s contributors and readers.
Now that we’ve examined the design, let’s move on to how the ties are being made. The fabric is being woven, not printed, in England by a mill that also makes ties for Ralph Lauren. The fabric will then be sent to New York City, where the ties will be manufactured. They will be 3.25 inches at their widest point, a compromise between 3 and 3.5. As you can see by the photos below, the navy and burgundy colors go with practically anything.
As the fabric is being custom-woven for us based on need, we are taking advance orders for the following 10 days, at which point orders will be closed. Miss out and you may be waiting a very long time to get one! Turnaround time expected to be about 60 days, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted on the progress.
The price is $79 + $5 in shipping, for a total of $84. Matthew will be taking the orders. You can pay via PayPal by clicking the “Buy Now” button below.
If the tie is a hit, we envision offering new colors, bow ties, pocket squares, and design variations. We’ll see how it goes, but in the meantime please make your purchase by Monday, December 5, as we need to get our order to the mill!
Honored to be the founder of this unique club. — CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD
Very attractive necktie! I am definitely interested, although I didn’t see length addressed as part of the equation. What are the chances of getting one 62 – 63″ long?
If you are not committed to that design, you should consider moving the scissors and trumpet (and make it look more like that of Miles) and move the Wasp to the background. The scissors, trumpet, and Roman numerals are all the same color and might look better grouped that way. Looks too much like a golf club tie as it is. JMHO
Can’t we simply admire a tastefully designed tie, without being to compelled to obsequiously fawn over the alleged virtues of “inclusion” and “diversity?” It’s fair enough to mention Jewish tailors. Many venerable Jewish people do have an obvious penchant for classy and elegant clothing. Isn’t it a tad tangential (read: embarrassingly disingenuous) to incorporate symbols of “jazz” for all too obvious reasons? Can’t WASPS just celebrate anything of our own without bending over backwards to make sure everyone else is included? What next? Shall we surround the WASP with a rainbow-colored heart?
I would argue that the inclusion of jazz makes perfect sense and is not just a token nod to African Americans. First, many jazz greats were black but plenty were white. Second, the well-documented support of the “ivy look” among jazz musicians helped spread and even sustain the aesthetic. Third, I take this tie to be the emblem of Ivy Style, the website/community, which has heavily featured jazz from its beginning.
“Upcountry Tweed”? Sounds like a Made in Bangladesh faux-heritage brand they’d sell at Marshall’s. Incidentally that’s what Bill’s Khakis has become. “Made in America” replaced with “American Design”. Great. Charleston Khakis still in biz, heavy twill forever!
As stated above, the tie is meant to represent Ivy-Style.com, which began with a story I wrote for Ralph Lauren Magazine about jazz musicians wearing the Ivy Look. That assignment was the genesis of this website.
Nippy, “snowflake” has entered the lexicon as a specific pejorative aimed primarily at college students, mostly female, who strike their critics as too easily offended.
What Upcounty Tweed was exhibiting goes back much farther.
@DCN Nice display of non sequitur and ad hominem. 2nd-graders the world over surely marvel at your intellect and perspicacity. Shall I stoop to your level and point out that your initials would serve a Washington rap “artist” quite well.
Non sequitur would be reading the description of the tie’s design, failing to process this information (or possibily immediately forgetting it?), and then inexplicably banging out some catty comments using PC-buzzwords that you don’t quite grasp and that weren’t even used before you brought them up.
Ad hominem would be typing a sassy groaner of a pun about someone’s initials when that person points out how lame the internet moniker you carefully chose turned out (and after all that work!)
Before any more attempts at wit, puns or further abortive erudition, I’d suggest giving this a read:
@Christian Precisely. It’s called tribalism and it has worked quite well as an evolutionary strategy down through the millennia. Practice it or your genotype perishes. Look at Berlin and Paris. It should serve as a wake-up call to any politically correct “snowflake” that the political philosophy of mid-eastern religious fanatics is being naturally selected over their naively infantile political axioms of universal equally, tolerance, and inclusion. Our grandchildren will see how tolerant the diverse (but ubiquitously obtuse) hordes of humanity are after they have achieved numerical and political hegemony. Oswald Spengler’s seminal work, “The Decline of the West” was published in 1918. We ignore his warnings for the sake of ephemeral profit and will pay the price with eternal loss. This is a matter of class and not (at least not primarily and exclusively) of race. Just take a trip down to your local Wal-Mart and survey the pulsating mass of maggots. Some of the most egregious examples of vulgarity are cloaked in white skin. My salient point is that we should not feel compelled to mindlessly acquiesce to au courant political trends. A perfect analogy is the adoption of fashion over style. The inclusion of all three major human sub-groups appeared calculated and contrived. It is regrettable that our current political climate necessitates such calculations. Even more regrettable is the predictable reaction of short-sighted “men” like DCG to any objections.
Yes, let’s keep it about the tie! The marketplace will tell you if people like the design. This rest of this argument is beginning to resemble something you can read on ZeroHedge!
@DCG Fair enough. But quotation marks are probably a notch above all caps. The tie is tasteful and attractive. One can take comfort in the fact the horn’s similarity to a golf tee results in an ambiguous interpretation. Let’s just leave it at that. As far as my username goes, the paradox was intended to be witty. Forgive me if it was over you head.
If it’s any comfort to Upcountry Tweed, notice that the wasp is on top of the chrysanthemum, which itself covers the trumpet and the scissors. Interpret that as you will.
We’ve had several requests for bows and long times. We may be able to accommodate with any excess fabric. Email Matthew and ask to be put on a waiting list for a bow or long tie. MKG will verify, but I believe industry standard for ties is 57 inches.
Vanners or Stephen Walters? No matter. Fine weavers, both. A triple bar stripe would have been a subtle tip of the hat to Brooks (the #1 repp). Was any thought given to a heraldic/coat of arms design?
You do realize, Mr. Chensvold, that your tie will effectively lead to your astonishment at how far flung across the globe your readers are. In all probability, the vast minority will be New Englanders.
We actually worked quite hard to come up with a seal that was NOT heraldic, after a chat with Jack Carlson, who is working on a book on heraldic/club ties. I’m happy to report that this design passed inspection and he placed his order.
@Dean
I have analytics software and am well aware that the readership comes from all locales.
Sure, Rene, we’ll get it to you. Perhaps we can try sending you an invoice from our end via PayPal. Send your PP address to Matthew at the email above.
I’m sorry, but I have no intention of explaining my tie to a fellow member at my downtown club what the symbols mean and how they are all based on internet blog!
Merci Christian, I’ll contact Matthew.
Congrats for this wonderful tie….and all the work you propose to us ivy- and jazz-oriented fellows…..merci beaucoup! Continue comme ca!
Nice tie, Christian. Just ordered one. By a nice coincidence, a navy and burgundy striped tie of mine recently reached the point of being too ratty to wear to work, so this will be a welcome addition.
The tie is both beautiful and tasteful. Fantastic work!
Has the Muffster placed an order for one to give to Mr. A yet?
All kidding aside, nice tie, Ty.
No, really, it is a nice tie and I will place an order….
Very attractive necktie! I am definitely interested, although I didn’t see length addressed as part of the equation. What are the chances of getting one 62 – 63″ long?
Christian, I definitely thought that horn was a golf tee. I appreciate all the symbols and how they aren’t strictly defined.
Absolutely fabulous but I may never wear a tie again.
So maybe the next I-S project can be incorporating those symbols into a fair isle sweater pattern!
If you are not committed to that design, you should consider moving the scissors and trumpet (and make it look more like that of Miles) and move the Wasp to the background. The scissors, trumpet, and Roman numerals are all the same color and might look better grouped that way. Looks too much like a golf club tie as it is. JMHO
Love it. Just put in my order.
No bows, I assume
Can’t we simply admire a tastefully designed tie, without being to compelled to obsequiously fawn over the alleged virtues of “inclusion” and “diversity?” It’s fair enough to mention Jewish tailors. Many venerable Jewish people do have an obvious penchant for classy and elegant clothing. Isn’t it a tad tangential (read: embarrassingly disingenuous) to incorporate symbols of “jazz” for all too obvious reasons? Can’t WASPS just celebrate anything of our own without bending over backwards to make sure everyone else is included? What next? Shall we surround the WASP with a rainbow-colored heart?
I would argue that the inclusion of jazz makes perfect sense and is not just a token nod to African Americans. First, many jazz greats were black but plenty were white. Second, the well-documented support of the “ivy look” among jazz musicians helped spread and even sustain the aesthetic. Third, I take this tie to be the emblem of Ivy Style, the website/community, which has heavily featured jazz from its beginning.
How about a snowflake for the easily offended, like Upcountry Tweed?
Nice tie! Congrats on the milestones!
“Upcountry Tweed”? Sounds like a Made in Bangladesh faux-heritage brand they’d sell at Marshall’s. Incidentally that’s what Bill’s Khakis has become. “Made in America” replaced with “American Design”. Great. Charleston Khakis still in biz, heavy twill forever!
As stated above, the tie is meant to represent Ivy-Style.com, which began with a story I wrote for Ralph Lauren Magazine about jazz musicians wearing the Ivy Look. That assignment was the genesis of this website.
Nippy, “snowflake” has entered the lexicon as a specific pejorative aimed primarily at college students, mostly female, who strike their critics as too easily offended.
What Upcounty Tweed was exhibiting goes back much farther.
@DCN Nice display of non sequitur and ad hominem. 2nd-graders the world over surely marvel at your intellect and perspicacity. Shall I stoop to your level and point out that your initials would serve a Washington rap “artist” quite well.
The G would work as well. 😉
Non sequitur would be reading the description of the tie’s design, failing to process this information (or possibily immediately forgetting it?), and then inexplicably banging out some catty comments using PC-buzzwords that you don’t quite grasp and that weren’t even used before you brought them up.
Ad hominem would be typing a sassy groaner of a pun about someone’s initials when that person points out how lame the internet moniker you carefully chose turned out (and after all that work!)
Before any more attempts at wit, puns or further abortive erudition, I’d suggest giving this a read:
http://www.ucd.ie/artspgs/semantics/ConsequencesErudite.pdf
And furthmore, if there are second graders marveling at my intellect, I don’t want to energize them. I condemn them. I disavow and condemn them.
@Christian Precisely. It’s called tribalism and it has worked quite well as an evolutionary strategy down through the millennia. Practice it or your genotype perishes. Look at Berlin and Paris. It should serve as a wake-up call to any politically correct “snowflake” that the political philosophy of mid-eastern religious fanatics is being naturally selected over their naively infantile political axioms of universal equally, tolerance, and inclusion. Our grandchildren will see how tolerant the diverse (but ubiquitously obtuse) hordes of humanity are after they have achieved numerical and political hegemony. Oswald Spengler’s seminal work, “The Decline of the West” was published in 1918. We ignore his warnings for the sake of ephemeral profit and will pay the price with eternal loss. This is a matter of class and not (at least not primarily and exclusively) of race. Just take a trip down to your local Wal-Mart and survey the pulsating mass of maggots. Some of the most egregious examples of vulgarity are cloaked in white skin. My salient point is that we should not feel compelled to mindlessly acquiesce to au courant political trends. A perfect analogy is the adoption of fashion over style. The inclusion of all three major human sub-groups appeared calculated and contrived. It is regrettable that our current political climate necessitates such calculations. Even more regrettable is the predictable reaction of short-sighted “men” like DCG to any objections.
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT JUST STOP PUTTING QUOTES AROUND EVERYTHING!!!
Wow. Can we discuss neckties for a moment? Christian, are these available in one length only, and if so, what length would that be?
Yes, let’s keep it about the tie! The marketplace will tell you if people like the design. This rest of this argument is beginning to resemble something you can read on ZeroHedge!
Sorry, “the” rest of this argument… Watching the Ohio State-Michigan game. Just looking for prepsters in the stands, of course :>)
@DCG Fair enough. But quotation marks are probably a notch above all caps. The tie is tasteful and attractive. One can take comfort in the fact the horn’s similarity to a golf tee results in an ambiguous interpretation. Let’s just leave it at that. As far as my username goes, the paradox was intended to be witty. Forgive me if it was over you head.
*your head. Sorry, watching the USC- Syracuse game. 🙂
I dunno tiger, a trumpet on a tie always makes me question genotype! ?
Pleased as punch at these collaborations! Both tie and jacket look splendid. Crowdfunding ivy threads, how 2016!
If it’s any comfort to Upcountry Tweed, notice that the wasp is on top of the chrysanthemum, which itself covers the trumpet and the scissors. Interpret that as you will.
We’ve had several requests for bows and long times. We may be able to accommodate with any excess fabric. Email Matthew and ask to be put on a waiting list for a bow or long tie. MKG will verify, but I believe industry standard for ties is 57 inches.
Vanners or Stephen Walters? No matter. Fine weavers, both. A triple bar stripe would have been a subtle tip of the hat to Brooks (the #1 repp). Was any thought given to a heraldic/coat of arms design?
You do realize, Mr. Chensvold, that your tie will effectively lead to your astonishment at how far flung across the globe your readers are. In all probability, the vast minority will be New Englanders.
@SE
We actually worked quite hard to come up with a seal that was NOT heraldic, after a chat with Jack Carlson, who is working on a book on heraldic/club ties. I’m happy to report that this design passed inspection and he placed his order.
@Dean
I have analytics software and am well aware that the readership comes from all locales.
Christian, do you ship to Paris, France?
And how can I assure the payment? Paypal didn’t work and I reckon you don’t accept a French check?
Sure, Rene, we’ll get it to you. Perhaps we can try sending you an invoice from our end via PayPal. Send your PP address to Matthew at the email above.
I’m sorry, but I have no intention of explaining my tie to a fellow member at my downtown club what the symbols mean and how they are all based on internet blog!
Merci Christian, I’ll contact Matthew.
Congrats for this wonderful tie….and all the work you propose to us ivy- and jazz-oriented fellows…..merci beaucoup! Continue comme ca!
Nice tie, Christian. Just ordered one. By a nice coincidence, a navy and burgundy striped tie of mine recently reached the point of being too ratty to wear to work, so this will be a welcome addition.