Tie Bar Review: Why This Affordable Menswear Brand Is Taking Over Your IG Feed
Hey there, stylish gents! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for menswear brands that deliver the perfect combo of quality, style, and affordability. And if you‘ve been paying attention to men‘s fashion over the past few years, odds are high that you‘ve stumbled upon a little company called Tie Bar.
Founded back in 2004 as an online destination for (you guessed it) ties and tie bars, this Chicago-based brand has blown up to become a major player in the menswear space. In addition to creating the GQ Magazine-approved skinny tie, Tie Bar has expanded into dress shirts, suits, pants, socks, and more—all designed to help regular guys look and feel like a million bucks.
As a men‘s style enthusiast and writer, I‘ve had my eye on Tie Bar for a while now. I‘ve ordered my fair share of their products, followed the brand‘s growth, and watched in awe as Tie Bar transformed from a niche accessories label to a fashion force to be reckoned with. So believe me when I say, these guys know what they‘re doing.
In today‘s post, I want to focus in on Tie Bar‘s shirt collection and give you an honest, in-depth review based on my personal experience. We‘ll cover everything from fit and quality to price and value, plus I‘ll share some styling tips for rocking Tie Bar shirts in your everyday looks. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Tie Bar‘s button-downs are worth adding to your closet.
Sound good? Let‘s dive in.
The Rise of Tie Bar: From Side Hustle to Style Powerhouse
Before we get into the nitty gritty shirt review, I want to give you a little background on Tie Bar as a company. After all, knowing a brand‘s story and values can make you feel a whole lot better about spending your hard-earned cash on their products.
Tie Bar was started back in 2004 by a husband and wife duo, Greg and Gina Shugar. At the time, Greg was working as a lawyer and found himself frustrated with the lack of affordable, stylish neckwear options on the market. He and Gina figured they couldn‘t be the only ones who felt this way, so they set out to create an online shop for quality ties at wallet-friendly prices.
Fast forward a few years, and Tie Bar was starting to gain some serious traction. In 2013, the brand made headlines when it collaborated with Dwyane Wade on a collection of colorful socks and ties. That same year, Tie Bar‘s sales hit $10 million and the company caught the attention of major investors.
With this new influx of cash and clout, Tie Bar was able to expand beyond ties and become a full-fledged menswear brand. They brought on designers from heavy hitters like Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren to create a line of dress shirts, suits, outerwear, and more, all with that signature Tie Bar blend of style and accessibility.
Flash forward to today, and Tie Bar has cemented its status as a leading name in menswear. The brand has been featured in countless fashion magazines, collaborated with the likes of Esquire and the Chicago Bulls, and opened several brick-and-mortar stores across the country. Last year, Tie Bar‘s annual revenue was estimated at a whopping $30+ million. Not bad for a company that started as a side hustle!
But beyond the impressive numbers and accolades, what I really love about Tie Bar is the brand‘s commitment to helping guys look and feel great without breaking the bank. In a fashion landscape dominated by designer prices and logo-obsessed labels, Tie Bar is a breath of fresh, affordable air.
The company‘s mission is simple: "to make quality menswear accessible to everyone." And based on the rave reviews from customers and critics alike, I‘d say Tie Bar is nailing it.
Tie Bar Shirts Review: Putting the Brand‘s Best-Sellers to the Test
Alright, now that you know a bit about Tie Bar‘s background, let‘s get into the meat of this review: the shirts. As I mentioned, Tie Bar offers a huge range of dress and casual shirts in different fabrics, colors, patterns, and fits. It‘s a lot to take in, so I‘m going to focus on a few of the brand‘s bestsellers that I‘ve personally tried and loved.
The Tie Bar 100% Cotton Solid White Non-Iron Dress Shirt
If you‘re building a Tie Bar shirt collection from scratch, the 100% Cotton Solid White Non-Iron Dress Shirt is the perfect place to start. Priced at just $55, this crisp white button-down is an absolute steal when you compare it to similar options from designer brands (we‘re talking $150 and up).
What I love about this Tie Bar shirt is the quality of the fabric. It‘s made from 100% pure cotton with a subtle herringbone weave, which gives it a really nice weight and texture. The non-iron finish is also clutch—I‘ve washed and worn this shirt multiple times and it still looks smooth and polished right out of the dryer.
Fit-wise, I found the Tie Bar white dress shirt to be spot-on. I‘m 5‘11" and 175lbs with a somewhat athletic build, and the medium slim fit is perfect for me. It‘s tailored through the torso without being too tight, and the arms are fitted but not restrictive. The length is also great for tucking in or leaving untucked.
One small detail I appreciate about this shirt is the collar. It‘s got a nice, modern spread that looks great with or without a tie. And unlike some other affordable dress shirts I‘ve tried, the collar has enough structure to stand up on its own without collapsing or curling.
I‘ve dressed this shirt up with a navy suit for work and weddings, and I‘ve worn it more casually with jeans and chinos on the weekend. It‘s a super versatile staple that every guy should have in his closet, and you really can‘t beat the price for the quality.
The Tie Bar Light Blue Cotton Oxford Shirt
Another Tie Bar shirt I find myself reaching for over and over is the Light Blue Cotton Oxford. It‘s part of the brand‘s "Essentials" collection, and for good reason—a light blue oxford cloth button down (or OCBD for short) is a menswear must-have.
What sets the Tie Bar oxford apart from the competition is the attention to detail. For starters, it‘s made from 100% organic cotton, which is not only eco-friendly but also incredibly soft and breathable. The fabric has a nice heft to it, but it‘s not too heavy or stiff like some other oxfords I‘ve tried.
The light blue color is also just right—not too pale or too bright, with a subtle heathered effect that adds some visual interest. And like all of Tie Bar‘s shirts, the craftsmanship is on point, from the clean stitching to the thick, pearlized buttons.
Styling-wise, the light blue oxford is a total workhorse. It looks great with everything from dark denim and chinos to wool trousers and sport coats. Roll up the sleeves and pop the collar for a more laid-back vibe, or button it all the way up and throw on a knit tie for a smart casual look.
Again, the price on this Tie Bar shirt can‘t be beat. At $50, it‘s a fraction of what you‘d pay for a designer oxford, but the quality is definitely on par. I‘ve had mine for over two years now and it‘s held up remarkably well, with no pilling, fading, or loose threads to speak of.
The Tie Bar Floral Print Short Sleeve Shirt
Moving on to Tie Bar‘s more casual shirt offerings, one standout for me is the Floral Print Short Sleeve Shirt. I know, I know—floral prints can be tricky to pull off without looking like a dad on vacation. But trust me, Tie Bar gets it right with this shirt.
The key is in the scale and colors of the floral pattern. Rather than big, loud blooms, this shirt features a more subdued, tonal design in shades of blue and white. The effect is subtle and sophisticated, not cheesy or over-the-top.
The 100% cotton fabric is also lightweight and breathable, making this shirt a great option for warm weather occasions like barbecues, beach trips, and outdoor weddings. And because it‘s short sleeve, you don‘t have to worry about the dreaded arm tan line.
Fit-wise, I found the Tie Bar floral shirt to be a little roomier than the brand‘s dress shirts, but in a good way. It‘s got a straight, relaxed cut that skims the body without being too boxy. I wear a medium in Tie Bar‘s dress shirts and the medium in this style was perfect for a more casual, comfortable look.
To style this floral shirt, I like to keep things simple and let the print be the star of the show. White jeans or chino shorts and leather sandals or low-top sneakers are all you need to complete the look. If you want to dress it up a bit, try throwing on a lightweight navy blazer and some penny loafers.
At just $45, the Tie Bar floral shirt is an easy and affordable way to add some personality to your summer wardrobe. And because the print is so versatile, you can wear it for everything from backyard hangs to tropical destination weddings.
The Bottom Line: Are Tie Bar Shirts Worth It?
So, after putting several of Tie Bar‘s best-selling shirts to the test, what‘s my verdict? In short, I think Tie Bar is killing it when it comes to delivering high-quality, stylish shirts at super reasonable prices.
No, Tie Bar‘s shirts aren‘t the cheapest on the market. You can certainly find button-downs for less at big box stores or fast fashion retailers. But in my experience, those cheaper shirts just don‘t stack up in terms of fabric, fit, and construction. I‘d rather invest a little more in a shirt from Tie Bar that I know will look great and last for years than waste money on something that falls apart or loses its shape after a few washes.
On the flip side, Tie Bar‘s shirts are also much more affordable than what you‘ll find from designer labels or high-end department stores. A basic white dress shirt from a brand like Theory or Hugo Boss can easily set you back $150+, while Tie Bar‘s version comes in at a third of that price. And based on my experience, the quality is pretty darn comparable.
Of course, everyone‘s style and budget is different. If you‘re someone who only wears dress shirts once in a blue moon, maybe it makes sense to go with a cheaper option. And if you‘ve got the cash to splash on designer labels, more power to you.
But for the average guy who wants to look put-together on the regular without blowing his whole paycheck, I think Tie Bar is the way to go. The brand offers a huge range of shirt styles to suit every occasion, from classic white and blue dress shirts to trendy floral prints and playful patterns. And with inclusive sizing from XS to 4XL, there‘s truly something for everybody.
Plus, Tie Bar makes the whole shopping process incredibly easy. The site is well-organized and easy to navigate, with detailed product descriptions, size charts, and customer reviews to help you find the perfect shirt. Shipping is free on orders over $50 (which is easy to hit when you‘re stocking up on shirts) and returns are free for 30 days. So even if a shirt doesn‘t work out, you‘re not stuck with it.
At the end of the day, if you‘re looking for stylish, well-made shirts that won‘t break the bank, I highly recommend giving Tie Bar a try. Start with one of the brand‘s best-sellers like the white non-iron dress shirt or the blue oxford, and I bet you‘ll be back for more in no time.
And hey, if you do end up falling in love with Tie Bar‘s shirts, you didn‘t hear it from me—but the brand also makes a mean suit. Just saying.
Happy shopping, my dude.
Source: Tie Bar Brings High-Quality, Affordable Neckwear to the Masses – Forbes
Source: The Tie Bar‘s Sales Cross $30 Million on Strong Digital Sales – WWD
