Tag Archives: wooden bow ties

Hardwood Feature: Maple to Brighten Your Wardrobe This Summer

Posted by Two Guys Bow Ties on 18th Sep 2015

Summer is the perfect time to brighten up your wardrobe, and what would a wardrobe be without some great accessories? As you already know, we have wooden bow ties and lapel flowers for every style, season, and occasion. When spring is headed out and summer is on the horizon we like to gradually transition away from darker colors to better deflect some of the sun’s heat. It’s a style choice as much as it is a practical one. If you want to stay as cool as you look we suggest you do the same.

We have some wooden bow ties and lapel flowers better suited to brighten up your wardrobe than others. Maple is a great wood to wrap around your neck if you want to stay as cool as you look. Brighten up your wardrobe by pinning the cool, white wood to your lapel this summer. Order the Lexington Lapel Flower here: http://www.woodenbowties.com/Lexington-wood-boutineer/

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Most hardwoods, like the ones we make our wooden bow ties and lapel flowers from, are sought after for their heartwood. But maple on the other hand, wears its heart on its sleeve by having its outer sapwood in higher demand. In a world full of hardwoods with tough, ugly exteriors, prized for their insides, maple is the soft and sensitive type and he’s not afraid to show it on the outside.

If our Lexington is a little more subdued than what you were hoping to find, consider the Annapolis: http://www.woodenbowties.com/Annapolis-wooden-lapel-flower/. Its red and white centerpiece will add the perfect pop of color accompanying any lightweight cotton blazer for a night out on the town. Seersucker fans, the Annapolis is for you because nothing looks better than red, white, and baby blue.

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Maybe a wooden bow tie is more your speed, though. We have you covered with maple wood options too. Consider our Emery: http://www.woodenbowties.com/emery/. It’s kind of made for summer. Its shell fabric centerpiece works as well at a wedding as it will at a beach bonfire. If you’re getting both in at the same time, we salute you. Just know, when it comes to accessories for that event there’s not a single. better. option. (Lexington Lapel: Above, Blue Shell Pocket Square)

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Maple’s cool, white colored wood must be worked with care by the craftsman’s hands. It’s a dense wood so running high-speed routers or saw blades over it can quickly leave leave burn marks. It is a sensitive kind of wood, but it’s also associated with sweetness. Hard Maple is the same type of tree that has maple syrup pumping through its veins. Any one of our maple handcrafted accessories are going to be a hit with the ladies.

So whether you’re trying to muster up the strength to talk to her, or you’re just trying to brighten up your wardrobe to represent the season better, maple wood accessories will give you a serious edge. With it’s near white complexion, maple wood takes those UV rays and flings them back skyward so you stay as cool as you look. Our Emery wooden bow tie is also a perfect canvas for one of our Skyline ties: http://www.woodenbowties.com/skyline-wooden-bowtie-maple-w-blue-fabric/. Tell us your favorite city and we precision etch its skyline to be immortalized in maple.

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If you’re looking for cool, sensitive and sweet, order a maple. She’ll love it, and she’ll love you in it. And we think you’ll love that. Go do summer right.

Gray Denim

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The Gray Denim Fabric Pocket Square is the outgoing introvert in class. He gets along with most everyone and is sure to be the one to compliment anyone’s outfit. He’s a good-looking kid who prefers to get some attention without being the center of it. Not to mention, he’s the perfect match to many of our wooden bow ties: Earl, Harold, and our Walnut skyline tie.

Hampton Wooden Boutineer

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My husband and I love watching Shark Tank and came across your segment. Not only did my husband’s bow tie catch my eye 3 years ago, your wooden bow ties and wooden flower button caught our attention. We even bought one for his brother. Great job guys!!
I found two guys about a week before my wedding and ordered a lapel flower. It was in the mail the next day and delivered to me ahead of my wedding. It looked great, I had a ton of compliments on it and people coming up after to take a look at it. Overall a great product that I would recommend to anyone looking for something unique. My photographer wife now wants to order a bow tie to match so she can use it for a stylized shoot in the future. Thanks,

Armour Philadelphia

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Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 24th Dec 2014

We have a fondness for many of the cities in our great nation, and The City of Brotherly Love is no exception. We’ve been fortunate enough to be represented by Philly’s finest. From the Legendary Roots Crew’s ?uestlove wearing our wooden bow ties fillin’ in the breaks for “The Hardest-Working Band in Late Night” to our progressive, sartorial, and dapper partners selling our wooden wares, menswear mecca–Armour Philadelphia.

For those of you who don’t know the story, Armour is the brainchild of human resources veteran David Grimes. After working in corporate America for over 20 years he decided he was ready for a change. Before he traded in his corner office, he began a regimen of research and study taking night courses at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. His idea for opening a menswear boutique was birthed of equal parts necessity and passion. Being a cutting-edge stylish dude had its drawbacks in Grimes’ Philadelphia hometown, as he had to shop out-of-state and online to secure the fashion forward style pieces he’s known for. The tipping point came and with it David Grimes’ Armour Philadelphia was established.

Armour Creative Director and source for our interview: Eric Hatcher

Armour isn’t like other menswear stores. They pride themselves on their penchant for offering unique and stylish separates and accessories that can be easily incorporated into any stylish man’s wardrobe. See why we get along so well?

Creative Director Eric Hatcher described the shop as, “… that slick, laid back joint where you can find some fresh accents to your existing wardrobe.” Armour stocks trousers, blazers, jewelry, dress shirts, and some other distinguished items like artwork and home accessories.

Hatcher paid us the kindest compliment when we asked if he had any personal favorites in the store. He’s a fan of anything unusual or jazzy and says our products have been a favorite of his since we first met at a trade show in New York. Our ties are different from others and that’s a quality that he always appreciates.

Hatcher said, “…the centerpiece patterns, the actual wooden construction itself. [They] can be worn with pride and confidence to a variety of venues.”

Armour’s shoppers have come to expect the unexpected from their carefully curated brands. Customers visit looking for dapper apparel, and the crew at Armour is the best at facilitating a personal, individualized look that you can call your own. Our wooden bow ties and lapel flowers work well to fit that bill for novelty and they craft a look that’s “stylishly yours.”

Hatcher continued, “Personally, I encourage our customers to wear Two Guys Bow Ties products like we like to wear them: to work any day of the week, to special occasions like weddings and holiday parties, or even on a hot date. We like to say, keep a tie handy for a quick upgrade to a casual ensemble or to add an air of elegance to any shirt and sport coat combo.”

The historic Fabic Row retailer has big plans for the future. If you’re a regular, you’ve seen them introduce a new exciting category every season. The most recent additions were undies and footwear, and very soon they’ll be offering loungewear. Because “it’s all about being comfy during life’s journey through the world-at-large.” We couldn’t agree more.

Hatcher also told us another important focus for the future at Armour will be their continued commitment to Philadelphia’s local talent. Because they love their community, the style-hub showcases a rotating line-up of designers, artists, and photographers. Hatcher says, “There are so many rich flavors, raw skills, and diverse stories around us here… How could we ever ignore them?”

We definitely can’t ignore Armour Philadelphia, and we don’t think you will be able to, either. If you’re near Philadelphia, be sure to check out their store.

Two Guys Bow Ties French Distributor

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Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 29th Jun 2014

Europe has long been known for its purveyance of incredible fashion. From the finest suits to the most elite shoes, articulate taste and style is no stranger to our Eastern neighbor. France in particular has shown itself as a trendsetting nation, with a love for fine works and dandy styles. When we had the opportunity to connect with a distributor who wanted to sell our wooden bow ties and lapels, we knew it was an incredible opportunity. He recently shared with us some of his personal history and why he loves Two Guys Bow Ties.

2GBT: Tell us a little about your history. Where did you work before you became a distributor for Two Guys Bow Ties?

BF: I used to work in finance in London. In 2011, I moved back to Paris, where I started my own distrbution company. I’ve always been into handwork since I was a kid when I used to make things with my father. Our family has a history of cabinet makers, and I recently went back to school at École Boulle, which is a very famous cabinet maker school in Paris. Boulle was the private cabinet maker of King Louis XIV and this school has taught the art of wood for centuries.

2GBT: How did you first become connected with Two Guys Bow Ties?

BF: I discovered Two Guys Bow Ties through the internet: they were running a private sale on a design website. I loved the idea right away and got in touch with Adam and Tim, who were pleased to find someone to broadcast their idea in Europe.

2GBT: What made you want to sell 2GBT in France?

BF: France and Europe have always had a dandy history. We love fine works and original clothing. Bowties are very posh in France, but bringing wood into it really turned things around. Two Guys Bow Ties was the perfect match to combine an innovative, dapper product with my love of woodworking.

2GBT: What kind of success have you seen with wooden bow ties and lapel flowers? Why do you think men like this product?

BF: So far Two Guys Bow Ties sells very well in France: online sales are great and all the shops we are working with are very happy with the turnover and product quality. It is still a product that we like to keep somewhat secret, and not mainstream, which lends to its appeal.

2GBT: What about our wooden bow ties and lapels appealed to you?

BF: Two Guys Bow Ties is refreshing, original and brings this extra dandy touch that we French love so much.

The reception we have received in Europe and beyond has been incredible, and we’re grateful for the work he does to share our ties with our friends across the pond. His team even had the privilege recently of sending a bow tie to King Filip of Belgium. To learn more about our French distributor, visit them on Instagram and Facebook.

Hardwood Accessories Perfect for Fall

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Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 26th Oct 2014

Fall is an exceptional season for men’s fashion. The change in the season and the cooler temperatures it brings leads to an onslaught of bold colors and creative ways to layer clothes for a look that is handsome, unique…and warm.

The change in the season definitely calls for some new pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe, but make sure you’re not just thinking of long sleeve shirts and sweaters. Our line of hardwood lapel flowers and wooden bow ties comes with some pieces that are sure to give your fall wardrobe a touch that is unique and appealing. Here are some of our favorite pieces for incorporating colors for fall into your wardrobe.

Our Marion wooden bow tie and Hampton lapel flower are all about warmth. Both pieces are crafted from Walnut wood for a look that is sophisticated and bold. Our Marion wooden bow tie features Maple strips inlayed throughout the tie for just a touch of intrigue. The yellow and grey centers of each piece coordinate perfectly, and are sure to complement a variety of looks this fall.

Few pieces exemplify autumn quite like our Clarence wooden bow tie. Rosewood is cut to create a horizontal grain, then given a dark polish before it is sanded by hand for a finish that is warm, striking, and beautiful. The trendy brown plaid centerpiece adds just the right touch of spark to such an intriguing piece. It’s just the touch of dandy you need.

If bold colors are the theme of the autumn season, then our Portland wooden lapel flower is just the piece for you. Deep Rosewood comes together with a vibrant orange centerpiece to create a look that is easy on the eyes, yet still bold in its style. This wooden lapel flower features small, rounded petals to help draw all attention to the beautiful grain of the Rosewood and the pop of the fabric center.

A navy suit is a must have for the Fall season, and our Concord wooden lapel flower is the perfect accent piece. White Oak wood and a deep purple fabric centerpiece merge together to create a beautiful spark that adds a just right touch to your ensemble. This wooden lapel is sure to guarantee you several complements for your dashing style.

Few colors stand out for Fall like red. It’s bold, beautiful, and warm. Our Calvin wooden bow tie and Hartford wooden lapel flower are the perfect pairing to display this beloved autumn hue. The Hartford pairs White Oak wood with a bold red centerpiece. The petals of this boutonniere offer a unique, appealing pattern. Next to the Calvin’s bright red stripes and handsome shedua wood, it creates a pair that is as brilliant as it is beautiful.

Whatever your favorite color for fall, we have a wooden bow tie and lapel flower that is sure to help you dress your best. What’s your most beloved hue to wear for the season?

Heather and Antonio: A Vintage Southern California Wedding

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Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 4th May 2014

Heather and Antonio were married in beautiful Southern California. For their outdoor ceremony, they wanted a rustic, vintage style as the theme for their wedding day. Their vintage wedding featured a soft color palette, handmade details all around, and bouquets of roses, dahlias, and amaranthus.

The key to Heather and Antonio’s success in creating such a beautiful rustic wedding is their attention to detail. Almost every aspect of this wedding was handmade. Friends helped them DIY antique furniture finds to provide decor, table areas, and seating; the flower girl boxes and ring bearers book stacks were made by hand; and the invitations and stationary were done by hand as well.

Heather and Antonio wanted their wedding to be an opportunity to display their unique personality and style, as well as the individual styles of the members of their bridal party. Each bridesmaid chose a different dress in the same color. Groomsmen wore 1920-s themed ensembles, with white shirts, black trousers, vests and suspenders, newsboy style hats, and of course, wooden bow ties.

Antonio and some of his groomsmen wore the Floyd, our wooden bow tie made from walnut, etched with a plaid design, and wrapped in light grey fabric. Its tone and color coordinated perfectly with the soft, vintage palette for this rustic outdoor wedding.

Heather and Antonio, congratulations on a beautiful ceremony, and the beginning of your life together. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your vintage wedding day!

For a more in-depth look at this wedding, visit Ruffled Blog. All photos by Melissa Brandman photography.

Looking to create a custom tie for your wedding day. For wedding orders of 5 of ties or more we offer a 20% discount or free customization. Contact nat@woodenbowties.com for details.

WAREhaus Dallas: The Fashion Haus

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Posted by Lacey Wilcox on 26th Jul 2014

If you live in Dallas, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the many options available for men’s clothing. While we are sure there are an abundance of stores that offer high quality, stylish clothing for well-dressed gentlemen all over the metroplex, let us make your choice simple: WAREhaus Dallas is the only men’s clothing store you need to visit.

WAREhaus Dallas began in September of 2012 under the direction of trendsetter Patrick Ware. From the first day they opened their doors, they have pushed to create a man-driven fashion haus with a focus on building relationships and providing unique, cutting edge pieces to Dallas.

Patrick’s vision should be enough to help you decide to choose WAREhaus for all of your fashion needs. With WAREhaus, you are guaranteed to find the highest quality, most unique clothing and styles available. Each cutting edge piece is selected with care, guaranteed to provide you with the most unique fashion options around the metroplex (and beyond). WAREhaus was also built upon a commitment to customer service. Patrick grew up in a home where hospitality was a part of everyday life. He wants the men who come into his clothing store to feel like they are actually walking into his home.

Your first step inside WAREhaus is a reminder that you aren’t entering another cookie-cutter men’s clothing store in Dallas. You are entering a man’s fashion haus that offers you nothing but the highest quality, most unique cutting edge pieces around. We’ve loved the way Patrick has integrated our wooden bow ties and lapel flowers throughout his store.

Because WAREhaus Dallas celebrates unique fashion, Two Guys Bow Ties is a great addition to the store (how many wooden bow ties and lapel flowers do you see in any of those other men’s clothing stores you’ve visited?). Just as we seek to provide craftsmanship into every wooden bow tie we make, Patrick seeks to provide only the highest quality clothing and accessories to his customers. It’s a great fit, and we love getting to partner with Patrick and WAREhaus Dallas.

If you want to read more about WAREhaus Dallas and Two Guys Bow Ties (as well as see Patrick wearing one or our wooden bow ties well), check out this recent mention by D Magazine. For those of you who don’t live in Dallas but still want access to unique, cutting edge fashion pieces, they will soon be launching their new website: WAREhaus Dallas.

Styling Two Guys Bow Ties: Garcon a la Mode

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Posted on 5th Aug 2014

We’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredibly fashion and style bloggers. We love the way each one gives our wooden bow ties and lapels a distinct style and look. One of our most recent faves came from the stylish Perkens Bien Aimé of Garcon a la Mode. If you follow him on Instagram, you’ll notice that he has incorporated our wooden bow ties and lapels into several different outfits. The results are unique, appealing, and inspiring. We recently sat down with Perkens to talk about his site as well as his love for Two Guys Bow Ties.

2GBT: Why the name, Garcon a la Mode?

GA: When I decided to start the blog I wanted it to be something that defines the essence of who I am, not just in fashion, but in life. I recognize and appreciate style in everything. It’s a way of life for me. I also wanted it in french to pay homage to my roots as a Carib, as it is also my first language. “Garcon” means young man or man and “à la mode” means “style aware”. I couldn’t have chosen a better name.

2GBT: Can you share a bit about your site, Garconalamode.com. What sets the style that you share there apart from other fashion sites?

GA: “Garcon a la mode” is true to who I am. I have a unique way of mixing colors together and adding the right accessories to complete my outfits. I look for unique statement pieces but also versatile that can easily be incorporated in my daily routine. I think some of us get too caught up on trends and the most current and hip brands out there. To me, it’s all an art; the construction of a blazer, the length of my trousers, the tie knot that I choose, the fold of a pocket square, the effect of color combos etc.. It’s the minor details. I think that’s what sets me apart.

My ultimate goal is to be an inspiration to others, a guide to the young man who doesn’t quite know how to put a proper look together, but also attract the fellow style blogger who is looking for inspiration. I have some other projects in the works which will allow me to turn it into a full site that caters to the modern gentleman.

2GBT: We first reached out to you because your style in Garcaonalamode is spot on. How did you enter the fashion world?

GA: Being exposed to fashion at a very young age and being an art lover have helped me tremendously. I was always conscious about what I wore as a young teenager. I can remember looking forward to Sunday service to wear a new tie that I thrifted or a new blazer.. That was way before instagram or the blog. I think that’s where it all started and I think I’ve been able to evolve and become more creative, confident and daring. I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams as a Fashion Designer and this city really inspired me to showcase my style through social media and blogging and that’s how I created Garcon a la mode.

2GBT: When we first approached you about wearing our ties and lapels, what about the products appealed to you?

GA: I’m all about unique statement pieces. The pieces that I choose to wear have to be the perfect addition to my outfits without taking away from the look. It has to make sense and have the perfect balance. The uniqueness of the product was what appealed to me.

2GBT: We were really humbled and excited to see that you’ve worn our lapel flower several different times. Do you have a favorite ensemble that pairs with it?

GA: Yes, I love pairing brown and navy. It’s classy but edgy at the same time. These wooden bow ties and lapels work perfectly with both.

2GBT: What tips would you give Two Guys Bow Tie wearers for styling their own wooden bow ties and lapel flowers?

GA: They are perfect statement pieces that can be worn smartly and casually. They’re really easy to style. It’s always better to use light colored shirt if you want to use your wooden bow tie as statement piece. And be confident when you rock these babies, you’ll get showered with compliments. I promise!

Beard Care Essentials

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Posted on 18th Nov 2014

No Shave November is officially here, in all its bearded glory. In partnership with the American Cancer Society, No Shave November works to promote cancer awareness and help raise funds towards research and support. For the month of November, gents across the country skip their morning shave, giving free reign to their facial hair, and donate to a charity of their choice. The result is more awareness for cancer, support raised for patients and their families, and a plethora of distinguished dudes with potential bragging rights on their beards.

The key to pulling off any beard (whatever style you might choose) is in the grooming. It’s easy to tell with just one glance to tell the difference between a well-maintained beard and one that still needs some work. We’d hate to see any of you looking dapper and dashing in one of our wooden bow ties and lapel flowers and then spoil your look with a messy beard. To save you from a facial hair disaster, we’re sharing some basic tips for keeping your beard clean and distinguished.

Trimming and Maintenance When trimming your beard, you can either do it yourself, or find a barber you trust. If you go the barber route, look for gentlemen with a beard you wish to emulate. Ask around to see if they trim their own, or have it done. If they use a barber, ask for other details: how often they go, if they give any specific instructions, etc.

If you choose to trim your beard yourself, you’ll want to invest in a good pair of scissors that come to a narrow point, and a good quality beard trimmer if you prefer a shorter style.

Choosing a Beard Comb A good beard comb helps to keep your beard in a neat and orderly fashion. While there are many plastic contraptions out there that can “technically” be considered a beard comb, such a fine display of facial hair deserves a little more love than $2, don’t you think?

The downside to plastic is that is can often cause static. Few of them are designed with comfort and quality in mind. A wooden beard comb, however, is a display of craftsmanship, quality, and comfort (often in a size that will fit inside your pocket). Because it is made from wood as opposed to plastic, it also won’t generate any static.

Conditioning with Beard Oil Grow a beard for a long enough time, and you’ll soon run into a problem: itching. As you’re first growing a beard, your skin will itch considerably as the hairs come through and grow. Once your beard is longer, you’re still likely to experience some dry skin that can lead to itching. Beard oil serves a multitude of purposes: when used daily, it keeps your skin soft (and less prone to driving you crazy), it helps to prevent flakes that can arise, and it keeps your beards conditioned and free from flyaways. When choosing a beard oil, always reach for quality over cost-effectiveness. Cheaper beard oils are likely to contain substances that aren’t exactly good for your face (or the rest of you). Look for one made from all natural ingredients and that contains essential oils. Not only do they smell great, they also contain properties that are good for your beard and face.

Because we want to see you looking as dapper as possible from the chin down and the shoulders up, we’ve created our own line of beard care products. Handcrafted wooden beard combs and our unique blend of beard oils. We’re excited to launch this new line of products tomorrow, so make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know when they go on sale.

Photo Credit:

All photos from Elisa Moro, found on Flickr here, used under Creative Commons License 2.0