There are people who love Chicago.
And then there are people who love Chicago so much that they wear a necktie oozing with Chi-town pride.
Behold the new Windy City tie from Bird Dog Bay, “a beautiful piece of neckwear that’s the perfect fusion of class and Chicagoan wise-ass,” according to a news release.
It’s not the first Chi-tie. The CTA sells a Transit Map tie, and some would argue that nothing says Chicago like the “L.”
The stage is set for a Chi-tie faceoff.
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Illustration
Windy City tie: Tiny representations of some of Chicago’s landmarks, including the Bean, Sears Tower and Buckingham Fountain, dot a pastel blue Lake Michigan.
Transit map tie: The CTA system map runs down the length of the tie in all its rainbow glory. You don’t get the whole map to the west, but you do get a slice of Chicago’s parks and shoreline.
Price
$75
$38
Utility
Feeling awkward at a cocktail party? Your tie is sure to stimulate conversation as people debate why the Bean made it on but not the Crown Fountain, whether Soldier Field deserved a spot and whether anyone has heard of the Flamingo sculpture before.
When you’re in a pinch and just can’t remember where to transfer from a Red Line train to a Blue Line train, just look down.
Designer
Chicago-based designer Steve Mayer, owner of neckwear company Bird Dog Bay, aims to make his ties witty and fun. Donald Faison, who plays Turk on “Scrubs,” wore one of Mayer’s ties to the premiere of co-star Zach Braff’s movie “The Last Kiss,” according to the Bird Dog Web site.
New York-based designer Josh Bach, a former architect, is well-known for his whimsical ties. He also did New York City’s subway map tie.
Final verdict: It’s a tie! And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
