Tie pins

[skyvue]

I looked for a thread about tie pins, but couldn't find one. Apologies in advance to the bartenders if this needs to be merged with another thread.

I bought my first tie pin, pictured below, but I'm not really sure how to wear. I understand that it's to be inserted vertically into the tie an inch or so below the knot, but as you can see, my pin has a closure (or whatever the correct term might be), too.

But does it go through the tie and back out again, so that the closure is visible? Does it go through the back blade of the tie, or even through the shirt? Is it meant to hold the tie in place, like a tie bar or tie tack, or is it strictly decorative?

And then there's the truly key, if rhetorical, question: Why did I buy the darned thing if I don't really know what it's for or how to use it?

Thanks.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I am not very expirienced with tie jewlery but..

maybe its a pin for a cravat and meant to be used vertically? Google came up with some results very near to your find...

if it is...theyre far harder to find than "normal" tie-pins. ;-)

 

[Charlie74]

I own several of these and have heard them called "stick pins". Although used for ties as a tie tack would be used, I do believe they were made for cravats. I wear them occassionally with an ascot, usually in the center

 

[MikeBravo]

And then there's the truly key, if rhetorical, question: Why did I buy the darned thing if I don't really know what it's for or how to use it?

Thanks.

Sir Edmund Hillary answered that question a long time ago

"Because it's there"

Of course it's not Mount Everest, but thing of beauty is a joy forever

 

[Baron Kurtz]

They'll put a pretty (relatively) big hole in your nice vintage silk ties. Back when men were wrapping linen around heir necks and creating truly elaborate bows, they were good for holding it all together. Today, they're wearable with a neckscarf or a Tootal-style cravat to hold the knot together. Other than that, they're pretty useless. I have a few and wish they weren't useless, but there it is - they're too damaging for regular wear.

bk

 

[Lady Day]

fftopic:
The dyslexic in me read this thread title as 'Pie Tins' for about 10 seconds.

Im all, "Why is there a thread about pie tins in general attire?"

LD

 

[Charlie74]

Baron Kurtz is absolutely correc, they can put a big hole into a silk tie. That is why I wear them with scarves and ascots

 

[skyvue]

I was afraid that was the case.

Thanks, guys. I guess I have an attractive object that will receive little to no use.

 

["Skeet" McD]

there's one in every crowd....

They'll put a pretty (relatively) big hole in your nice vintage silk ties....I have a few and wish they weren't useless, but there it is - they're too damaging for regular wear.

bk

Not in any way to disagree with the Herr Baron's comments, which are true; but: some of us don't wear vintage ties, and DO use tie pins. I've worn them since my mid-teens (in other words, for some 40 years).

If you wear them in the same place on each tie, the hole doesn't really matter--and, of course, we're not talking about a giant hole under any circumstances. I don't wear vintage clothing at all, because I personally think it should be preserved for study: they're not making them any more. But this is a personal decision. I don't mind putting a hole in a modern tie; it's part of wearing it.

Tie pins are at their best when you are wearing a vest--and in the period when they were designed and used most, this was the standard. With a vest, the pin is situated high, front and center: a lovely accent.

The choice is yours: but if you want to wear your tie pin, I say: go ahead.

"Skeet"