Author Archives: Eric Stefenson
The Only Sweaters You Need for Fall
Top of Your Field
If you’re anything like us, you don’t buy new sweaters every fall. You probably have a few favorites kicking around that are the go-to choices for when the temperature drops. Also, if you’re anything like us, these reliable choices are showing signs of wear and age; whether its the pilling you swear no one notices, or the shiny area on the elbows that forecasts a new break.
Our quarter zip sporting sweaters will earn their way to be your new favorites, and you won’t replace them anytime soon. Available in 100% merino wool, or 100% cashmere, they feature a dense, tight, two-ply weave, for unsurpassed durability. Longevity doesn’t mean compromising comfort; both fabrics offer excellent breathability and warmth; and are great choices for either a mid or outermost layer.
Only the finest and longest fibers are selected, eliminating pilling, and ensuring consistency from neck to waist, cuff to shoulder. Plus, we’ve reinforced the shoulder and elbow pads, meaning the only breaks you’ll be seeing will be on the green or the deer stand.
We offer standard sizes small through XXL for ease of shopping and gift giving, but bespoke service is complementary. Know your sizing exactly? Drop us a line at customerservice@birddogbay.com and our team will guide you through your customization. All sweaters require 2-3 weeks to be crafted; order now for perfect timing for sweater weather season.
Bird Calls: Fox in the Hen House
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Bird Dog Bay was started on the idea we could all use a little more sophisticated whimsy. Now, while Steve may not have drawn “Fox in the Hen House” until recently, it’s hard to think of a better representation of this founding thought. With the chicken high-tailing it away from the wiley fox, it may ruffle a few feathers, but that’s what Bird Dog Bay is all about. Our clever friend doesn’t seem to mind being caught in the act, but rather enjoys it, much like the time Steve and friends crashed a wedding reception at the Drake hotel in Chicago.
This smart tie is a surefire conversation starter, and is perfect for this fall’s formals and festivities. No matter the tie’s background color, the details of the shadowing, and light coloring of the chicken, make matching with a white shirt and dark jacket easier than, well, crashing an open bar reception.
Introducing the Wellington Button Down
Chambray Play
Our new Wellington Button Down was born in Chicago, crafted with 100% Egyptian Cotton, and milled in Italy. This first class shirt has more stamps in its passport than we do, and its chambray pattern makes it a readily packable traveler. Whether you are jet-setting or just-sitting, the Wellington is our most versatile shirt, thanks to it’s classic pattern and color. This tried and true blue makes matching a tie a breeze (Steve makes sure to include as much blue and white as possible in our neckwear for exactly this reason), and we particularly like to pair it with a contrasting red or yellow.
Happy shopping, and remember, feel free to drop us a line at (312) 631-3108 or at customerservice@birddogbay.com.
Introducing our New Fall Collection, Free Shipping Until Monday
Bird Dog Bay Decade
When Steve Mayer started Bird Dog Bay back in 2006, he had some English woven necktie design experience, a lucky mechanical pencil, and his lousy but lovable hunting dog, Gus. Today the line’s grown tremendously, but Steve remains our sole illustrator, and he continues to draw everything by hand, dreaming up our collection of sophisticated whimsy. Our tenth anniversary collection includes some revamped favorites from the very first few collections, as well as brand new illustrations and goods. Looks like you can teach an old dog new tricks!
Join us in celebrating ten years, use promo code OPENSEASON for free shipping; offer expires Monday.
Here’s to ten more!
On Your Mark, Get Set…
Wool’s Gold
Our brand new fall collection is just around the bend. Here at Bird Dog Bay HQ we’re hard at work prepping for brand new ties, bows, shirts, tees, caps, lapel pins, and more! In the meantime, here’s a peek at ‘Wooly Wallace’ – a wool-silk blend in refined, traditional colorways. Pairs with your navy blazer as well as a fine red does with your steak (just don’t get it on your tie!)
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Just want to chat? Don’t forget, you can always give us a call at (312) 631-3108, or drop us a line at customerservice@birddogbay.com; we’re always happy to answer questions and provide guidance (we’re second to none with style advice, not as good with fantasy football tips).
Happy shopping!
Tie Knots: The Pratt
At Bird Dog Bay, we take pride in the look and design of our ties. Why, you may ask? Well, the answer is simple. We love what we do. It brings us no small amount of joy to know that men across the country can count on us when it comes to adding style and flair to their wardrobe. From shirts to cummerbund sets, our quality can’t be beat. Passion and care go into each and every one of our products. Consider our neckties; each one is made from 100% silk and features hand-printed designs care of our founder and illustrator, Steve Mayer. We love our ties, and we know you will too.
In honor of our extensive necktie collection, we started a series all about the art of the tie knot. So far we have covered the Windsor and its smaller cousin the Half Windsor. Today we are going to continue our special series on tie knots with the Pratt Knot.
The Pratt Knot
The Pratt Knot originates in the United States during the 1940s and was a common enough knot throughout the following decades. But the knot really gained popularity in the 1980s when Jerry Pratt, a former employee of the U.S. Commerce Department employee showed up at a local news station on a mission to fix news anchor Don Shelby’s tie. The story goes that Shelby fell in love with the knot, and it was he who made the knot famous. That is why the knot is sometimes referred to as the Shelby Knot or the Pratt-Shelby Knot.
Wearing the Pratt-Shelby
This knot can be worn in a variety of events and circumstances, be they semi-formal or formal. It is a medium-sized knot that works well for men who have moderate proportions. It is a good option for men who are essentially dwarfed beneath the weight of a Full Windsor Knot. It works best with medium to lightweight fabrics.
Bird Dog Bay ties are always Best-in-Show. Designed with attention to detail and dedication to the highest quality, we know you’ll look and feel great with our hand-printed, hand-crafted ties. Shop our collection today!
Below the Belt
South of the Equator
We’ve restocked our Pedigree favorites to keep you covered below the belt. Our best selling boxers range from the sophisticated “Neapolitans” to the colorful “Citrus” to the timeliness “Herringbone”; and we guarantee they’ll be the best drawers in your drawers!
Our Pedigree Socks keep you a step ahead with the best cotton we could hunt down, and must to be felt to be believed. Their careful construction ensures years of comfortable use, whether you’re dashing downtown, careening to campus, or hoofing it home.
Shop our freshly arrived Pedigree Boxers and Socks now, what do you have to lose, besides your old, worn out skivvies?”
Happy National Bow Tie Day! Win Free Bow Ties for a Year
Win the Gift that Keeps on Giving
It’s one of our favorite days of the year – National Bow Tie Day. Every order between now and 11:59pm will be automatically entered for a chance to win free membership to our bow tie of the month club.* That means a bow tie shipped to you every month, for the next year.
*The fine print that keeps you looking fine: Limit one chance to win per person. Open to any and all orders placed today, August 28, 2016.
Our Brand New 10th Anniversary Socks Are Here
Fresh Socks for Fall
When Steve started Bird Dog Bay in 2006, it was just his hand drawn neckties and knack for detailed whimsical illustration. Today, that knack lives on, and Steve remains our sole illustrator and artist, but the collection’s grown every year. For our new Fall 2016 collection, we’re debuting 18 pairs of socks; including our new repeat patterns, a new trick for an old dog, fresh, versatile stripes, and much more.
Happy shopping!
Tie Knots: The Half Windsor
Here at Bird Dog Bay, we want for each man to enjoy the style and confidence that comes with wearing a tie. Ties are a cornerstone of men’s fashion, and no one should go tie-less because he doesn’t know about the many fantastic ways to tie a tie knot. In our last post, we took a closer look at the Windsor Knot. If you missed it, here is a brief rundown:
- The Windsor is also known as the Full Windsor or the Double Windsor
- It likely originated with King George V of England
- The Windsor is a wide knot, suited to wide, thick ties
- Men with longer necks benefit from the width of the tie as it shortens the perceived height of the neck
This week, we are going to move on to the next knot in our series, the Half Windsor.
The Half Windsor
The Half Windsor, otherwise known as the single Windsor knot, produces a trim, neat, triangular knot. It is similar to its cousin the Full Windsor, but it is less bulky and better suited to fabrics that are more lightweight and less thick. It is a better knot option for men who have a broader chest as is uses less of the tie than other knots. Here are some of the other attributes of the Half Windsor:
- Medium in size
- Symmetrical knot
- Produces a deep dimple
- Business appropriate
- Easy to learn
- Plays well with point collars, medium spread collars, and button down shirts
Bird Dog Bay has a fine pedigree and we always take Best-in-Show. All of our ties are 100% silk, hand-printed, and hand-constructed to ensure the highest quality possible. Shop our collection today!
New Favorites for Back to School
A-B-C, Easy as 1-2-3
Whether entering your final year of college, high school, or kindergarten, Bird Dog Bay is your one stop shop back to school outfitter. Whether Homecoming’s on the horizon or Picture Day has you fretting, we have a full selection of goods available. With neckties and bow ties available for both men and boys, we’ll have you our your little man looking sharp no matter the occasion.
On the more casual side of things? Put on your thinking cap with one of our famous Gus Caps or brand new Sporting Caps alongside one of our new and improved pima cotton t-shirts. Regardless of your school of thought, we’ll help you bring your A-game, style wise.
Introducing our Old Glory Socks
Just in time for the Olympics, our new gold medal worth hosiery carries the torch from our best selling America! socks. Perfect for showing off your national pride in any situation, their navy color and mid-calf length synchronize swimmingly with any pants, from dress trousers to jeans. Constructed of soft yet durable 70% pima cotton, 29% nylon and 1% spandex, they hold up well to flips, twists, and somersaults.
These are just one of 16 new pairs of socks for our upcoming tenth anniversary fall collection. Keep checking our website for updates, and as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us either at customerservice@birddogbay.com or at (312) 631-3108. Happy shopping!”