Behind the Seams: Anatomy of an R. Hanauer Bow Tie
Welcome to R. Hanauer Bow Ties!
For 35 years, we’ve been creating high-quality bow ties by hand in our South Carolina workshop. Every R. Hanauer bow tie is hand-cut and hand-sewn by our creative and talented seamstresses. And each is made from superior fabrics personally selected by Randy and Randall Hanauer - the dapper father-and-son team behind our brand.
Our bow ties have been the cornerstone of our fine menswear collections for over 3 decades. All over the world, gentlemen celebrate our handcrafted bow ties - knowing each product is thoughtfully designed and masterfully executed. We are proud of our team’s dedication to excellence, keen eye for detail, and commitment to quality.
Anatomy of a Bow Tie
The construction of a bow tie may seem straightforward - but as you peek behind the scenes with us, you’ll see there’s more to the anatomy of a high quality bow tie than meets the eye. Here are the pieces that make our bow ties special:
1. Woven Neckband
The woven neckband of a bow tie serves two essential purposes. First, it helps a gentlemen adjust the bow tie to his correct size, ensuring comfort and confidence. Second, it helps to stabilize the accessory. Along with the lining, a woven neckband means you’re unlikely to catch yourself in the mirror with a slack or crooked bow tie.
2. Sturdy Metal Hardware
High-caliber hardware is essential to the longevity of a bow tie. Whereas most others have a hook and eye adjuster, R. Hanauer bow ties feature a sliding metal adjuster so our accessories can grow and change with you across the seasons of life.
For those who are keen to conceal their hardware (for example, when wearing a wingtip collar), you’ll want to spend time with our single-end bow ties.
3. Fine Bias-Cut Fabric
When you cut on the bias, it means you cut the fabric on a 45-degree angle from the straight grain. Doing so gives the fabric a little bit of stretch - ideal for maintaining the shape of an elegant hand-knotted accessory - but also increases costs. Making use of only bias-cut fabric means that a portion of your fabric is wasted.
At R. Hanauer, we select and source the world’s finest fabrics, and use a substantial amount in each of our bow ties. Each regular sized bow tie is comprised of four strips of fabric, totaling 72 inches long.
4. Woven Cotton-Blend Interior Lining
Low quality bow ties use fusible lining - a man-made fabric that melts when heated, bonding layers of fabric together without sewing. The end result is a bow tie that looks sharp during its first-time tie - but probably never again.
R. Hanauer uses a non-fusible woven cotton blend that we cut on the bias and sew onto the bow tie fabric. While this process is significantly more time-consuming and expensive, the outcome justifies the means. Our bow ties form a relaxed, classic knot and are designed to achieve long-lasting shape and enjoyment.
5.Woven Label
We’re incredibly proud so many gentlemen have our bow ties in their closet. We believe in using fine fabrics on every part of our accessories. Inside the neckband, you’ll also find a woven label with our original logo, still represented on the facade of our Fort Mill showroom.
Ready then to step behind the curtain and watch how one of our bow ties is made?
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We invite you to celebrate your personal R. Hanauer bow tie collection with us!
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