Monthly Archives: September 2016
Introducing Our Custom Goods
Our New Custom Program is On Point
For our founder and sole illustrator Steve Mayer, the best compliment he can receive is seeing someone wear his work. Just like when he founded Bird Dog Bay ten years ago, he still hand draws every single design. Steve is happy to use his experience and attention to detail to help you bring your custom design to life, and is the perfect thing for your club, school, organization, event, or something we haven’t even thought of yet! Speaking of perfect, placing your order now ensures delivery in time for the holiday season, making for an ideal, and truly unique gift.
Custom goods are available for neckties, women’s scarves, bow ties, cummerbund sets, pocket squares, socks, belts, tote bags, cufflinks, and more! Please note we do have minimums, and are unfortunately unable create one-off or very small group orders. For more information, drop us a line at customerservice@birddogbay.com, or give us a ring at (312) 631-3108.
We look forward to working with you on your project!
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?”