As with many menswear essentials, neckties are one accessory whose price can vary widely, anywhere from $20 to upwards of $200 (retail: obviously you can find neckties in thrift stores for $1 or less. The real question is what your goals are. For some, having an extensive collection of ties that they can wear without worry is preferable to a few ties that one needs to wear more carefully. The other question, of course, is how often you wear them. If you work in law, banking, or on Wall Street, a larger collection of neckties would serve you well. If, on the other hand, you work in IT, media, or another more casual office environment, one or two neckties might be all you need.)

Whether you need 2 new neckties or 20, today’s article will serve you well if you’re on a budget. We’re going to look at one of the best budget options out there for neckties, The Tie Bar. A favorite brand of mine, The Tie Bar has ties from $18-$35 and has an enormous variety of widths, lengths and styles. I tested five ties at different price points to give you an idea of what you’ll get for the money. I also tested a pocket square which we’ll talk about at the end of the article.

Let’s get into it!

The Low End

I tested two ties in the $19 range. Mine were both $24 as there is a $5 premium for an extended length. I prefer the extra length and width, so I get that wherever possible. These two ties were the Bulletin Dot linen/silk tie in mauve stone and the splattered rep stripe tie in mustard. Let's look at them both in detail.

The bulletin dot tie looks like a much more expensive tie than it actually is. In reality, if you are used to department store ties, every tie you get from the tie bar is going to feel this way. I would take any of these ties over a more expensive department store tie in a heartbeat. This tie has a melange effect in the silk, giving it a nice texture. Since it’s 20% linen, it does wrinkle a bit, but it looks great and ties a fantastic knot. While this tie is perfectly acceptable this time of year, its cloth blend makes it the perfect summer tie. I feel that too often the materials of ties are looked over in favor of seasonally appropriate colors. When compared to a densely woven tie, this will keep you much cooler in the summer months. For $24, I give this tie a 9.5/10.

The splatter rep tie has even more texture than the bulletin dot. This effect comes from the spun silk and is perfect for casual wear. The hand on this tie does not feel quite as nice as the bulletin dot; however it feels lighter even without any linen in it. The lightweight as well as the colors make this another excellent option for spring/summer wear.

A note here, the stitching on the back did break when I first knotted this tie, so I was a bit disappointed with that; however, the tie has not separated and is still performing very well. Overall I give this tie an 8.5/10. This is mostly due to the stitching breaking so quickly. If you are looking for a tie around the $20 mark, either of these ties is a great choice!

Mid-Range

The Redwood Dot tie in hunter Green has been a great addition to my collection, as well. This tie is a bit thicker with a subtle weave and texture perfect for fall and winter. The hand on this feels a bit better than the lower range ties. Based on my inspection, the only difference is the outer shell, and this makes a palpable difference. I contacted The Tie Bar to see why this tie does come at a premium, and they informed me that it was due to the cost of sourcing higher quality materials. I have no problem spending the extra $6 to get the increased quality this tie offers. One note on this tie is that it is quite a bit thicker than any of the other ties. That said, I would recommend sticking to a four in hand knot as most any other knot is going to be quite large.

High End: The Barberis Collection

The Tie Bar has a unique collection going on. They have partnered with Vitale Barberis Conoco to make a line of fantastic ties. These only come in one length and two widths, but they are made from VBC fabric and are by far the best ties of the bunch. They do come in at $35, but each of these ties is a blend of materials and possess a feel and hand that more than justifies the premium.

The first Barberis tie I tried is the Blue Barberis Fiore. The fabric this tie is made from is one that I wanted to get a sports jacket made from; it is a wool/linen/silk blend. This blend is also perfect for a summer tie, giving it breathable, cool, and wrinkle-resistant properties. This tie is light, soft, and much more flexible than the other ties. Based on the feel, the Barberis ties also use a slightly better lining than the other lines. Of all of The Tie Bar ties I have, this is the favorite and by far the most worn. That being said, it also has the least amount of wrinkles, thanks to the wool in it.

The second tie I tried was the Navy Barberis Capito Tie. This tie is also relatively thick and has a lot of texture. This tie is another excellent option for casual wear. It is a cotton/linen/silk blend, so it does wrinkle a bit, but this is a strong year-round tie. I have far too many navy or dark blue ties, but that is because they are so versatile. If you like texture, this is the tie for you.

Summary

The Tie Bar has some of the best ties I’ve seen under $40. If you are ok with a shorter length, I suggest you start with the Barberis Line. This line of ties is an incredible value for the price and will beat out most department store ties under $80. No joke, I have a Versace Tie and prefer my Barberis Ties. If I were looking for a tie under $30, any ties with texture at the $25 price point are where I would look. These are made of slightly better materials, and it shows. Also, a touch of texture elevates a tie in my view: if nothing else, it makes your outfit a conversation piece and thus an easy ice-breaker in social settings. You really can't go wrong with The Tie Bar unless you buy a plain colored satin tie, which I just don’t care for no matter who made them.

If you need some budget ties, The Tie Bar is the place to look.

P.S. Interested in more than just neckties? Tie bar has you covered! Check out my reviews of their awesome merino sweaters and warp & weft chinos!