Even if you don’t work in an environment that calls for a tie everyday, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t throw one on a few times a week just to change things up a bit. Of course, there are days when a simple suit and tie are mandatory for an important presentation or meeting, but on those days when you’re just looking to add a bit of color we’d recommend going with something more vibrant and fun. Recently, we were turned on to a company out of Chicago called Bird Dog Bay, and their “In a Pinch” tie ($75) has become an instant favorite in our rotation.

Bird Dog Bay was founded in 2006 by Steve Mayer. After spending more than a decade as an in-house designer for a high-end neckwear company, Steve decided it was time to set out on his own, and Bird Dog Bay was born.  It was tough to choose a particular Bird Dog Bay tie for our first review, but our love for the blue crab led us to their “In a Pinch” design. Available in 5 colors, and made of the highest quality printed silk, the tie is handmade and sure to be an attention getter. The whimsical crab designs are a bit more fun than a those that you may find on a few of the other printed silk ties on the market, yet aren’t too “out there” for everyday wear.  One thing we really like is that “In a Pinch” was introduced simply because Bird Dog Bay received a few calls asking for a tie with blue crabs. With Steve serving as the sole designer for the company, everything you see on the Bird Dog Bay website was illustrated by the owner himself and he is always open to hearing what customers want to see. Odds are if you can think it, he can draw it. With dozens of designs available, we bet you are going to find a few that “need” to find their way into your wardrobe ASAP.  We don’t want to ruin the surprise, but make sure you check out the custom tipping on your tie when your order arrives.