Don’t just stuff your ties into your sock drawer. Today, we will go over how to store neckties the right way.
The early 2020s saw a rise in neckties. Don’t get me wrong. They’re an evergreen accessory. But these days, men of all personal styles opt for neckwear even when they don’t need to wear it. And perhaps part of it had and has to do with the fact classic menswear made a big comeback. That leads us to our next point. Do you know what’s just as important as knowing how to tie a tie? Knowing how to store ties.
When you don’t store them properly, they can come out wrinkled and sloppy looking. I have to wear a tie to work every day. So, I have a countless inventory. If you’re like me, you can’t just stuff them in drawers without an organizational system. I’ve done this in the past, and I lose track of what I have.
Let’s take a look at some efficient and easy storage solutions.
Best Way To Store Ties
There isn’t one best way to store ties. It’s a matter of how much space you have, how often you use your tie, and your personal preference. That being the case, I’ve provided a variety of different strategies. Some may require purchasing new items. Still, once you’ve picked a format, you’ll find you’ll save a lot of time.
And hey, you may end up choosing more than one storage solution. Perhaps you keep your solid, formal ties in a different space than your striped, club, and flashier ties.
How To Store Ties in a Closet: The Tie Rack
Not everyone’s closet is built the same. However, a tie rack is always a great option for storing ties in a closet—any closet. The most common style of tie rack features pins or dowels that stick out from a wooden board or plaque.
If you have a lot of closet space, like a walk-in, you can put up a wall tie rack. The best part about this is that you can also use it for scarves and belts. This allows the ties to hang smoothly and not bunch up. Even more, you can see all the ties in front of you.
Another type of tie rack is a hanging rack. This is what I use in my moderate-sized New York City closet. It’s basically a metal rack that you hang on your closet’s hanging rail. I hang mine next to my suit jackets.
Pro tip: If your ties are made of delicate fabric, avoid hanging them near abrasive fabrics. Once, I hung a nice silk tie next to a garment with Velcro on it. The Velcro stuck to the tie and damaged it when I tried to separate them.
Finally, there are also spinning racks. This is a space-efficient option since it’s more contained. It doesn’t have to take up an extended length of space in your closet. I used one in my dorm room in college. Motorized spinners are also available.
Now, let’s talk about how to store ties in a drawer.
How To Store Ties in a Drawer: Learn To Roll
The important thing about drawer storage is knowing how to roll your ties. Once you’ve rolled them properly, you can organize them in a single layer in a shallow drawer. If you have an extensive tie collection, you can also do two layers. But that obviously won’t be as convenient since you can’t immediately see what’s below the top layer.
First, make sure your tie is wrinkle-free. Steam it, iron it, or get it dry-cleaned.
Then, lay it face down on a flat surface and fold it in half. Be very light and delicate with this. We don’t actually want a crease at the fold.
Finally, starting at the fold/loop, lightly roll the tie towards the ends, keeping the tie in a neat roll. You want it to be a light, pillowy roll, not a tightly wound one.
You might even consider a tie box, which gives each tie its own space. This works in a drawer, in a closet (depending on your closet’s layout), and even under your bed.
Like watch boxes, some tie boxes are meant to be displayed. These decorative tie boxes can add a dapper touch to your closet. Or, you can even place the box on a desk surface, almost decoratively, similar to a jewelry box on a ladies’ vanity table.
Next up, how to store bow ties!
How To Store Bow Ties
You can use any of the above strategies to store bow ties. However, my biggest piece of advice? Never store a bow tie in a knot. It will undoubtedly wrinkle, and you’ll never be able to tie it precisely the same way twice. I don’t care how many martinis you had during that black-tie benefit; take the time to delicately fold or roll your bow tie after you’ve taken it off.
When storing bow ties, keep them separated from the long ties. On a hanging rack, move bow ties to one side and longer neckties to the other. Bow ties are small and awkwardly shaped. If you store them among the long ties, you may knock them down when pulling out a long tie.
And finally, you still want to fold your bow tie before rolling in. Yes, they’re small enough to roll without folding. However, rolling from one side to the other means you’ll curl one end of the tie too tightly. And again, tightness causes wrinkles.
How To Store a Tie While Traveling
I highly recommend a tie travel roll case, which keeps your tie rolled and wrinkle-free. I also love a flat travel tie case because it can store multiple ties, bowties, and cufflinks. This is a good option if you’re flying somewhere to attend a black-tie event.
In the worst-case scenario, I suggest lightly packing your tie in your suitcase’s mesh compartment. Put it in something soft for protection, like a cashmere or mohair sweater.
FAQs
Now you know how to store neckties! Still, here are some commonly asked questions on the topic as a quick reference
Is It Better To Roll or Hang Ties?
Rolling silk ties help to relax the knot’s creases. However, both are equally effective and efficient, depending on your closet space.
How Do You Store Multiple Ties?
You can use a multi-tie tie rack or a tie box, or simply roll each tie and store it in a drawer.
What Is the Correct Way To Store Ties?
There isn’t one correct way to store ties. Consider your closet space, bedroom space, and how often you wear ties. You might choose a rack, box, or drawer from there.
Conclusion: Keep Your Ties Tidy
Knowing how to store ties means nothing if they’re already in bad shape. Make sure you’ve ironed or steamed them before storing them. Choose a light setting for silk and silk-like materials (like bamboo) when ironing. Wool and cotton can usually take a higher setting. However, I recommend having another fabric on top of your tie so the iron isn’t in direct contact with it.
Otherwise, you can steam the tie. Or, hang your ties on the towel rack next time you’re taking a long hot shower. The steam from the shower will do exactly what a steamer does!
Question? Comments? Let us know in the comments below.
Good stuff!!