How to Organize and Store Your Bow Tie for Optimal Care & Longevity

At Hisdern, we create fine bow ties and accessories that not only make you look your best, but also last for years. To ensure the longevity of your bow tie, it’s important to store it properly to prevent it from wrinkling and keep its shape.

In this article, we’ll explore several bow tie storage and organization tips, and share what to do if your bow tie wrinkles from frequent wear or improper storage. By following the right storage and care tips, your bow tie will stay beautiful and last for years.

How to Store Your Bow Tie

When most men think about how to store their bow ties, they have a few different options. Bow ties that are worn frequently are best left out in plain sight for easy access, while ties that are not worn often can be put away and saved for more special occasions. No matter how you store your self-tie and pre-tied bow ties, follow these golden rules to keep them in shape and protect the fabric:

• Store your bow ties in a cool, dry place
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Don’t overcrowd them

1. Hang

For a quick pick, carefully hang your self-tie bow ties on a trouser hanger—good-quality wooden hangers, padded hangers, or non-slip hangers work best; never use plastic or wire hangers.

Of course, be mindful of the distance your bow ties are from other items in your wardrobe—you don’t want them to get tangled in clothing or lost. Bow tie racks and hooks work best for pre-tied bow ties. These storage solutions are great for bow ties you wear frequently, but they’re not suitable for long-term storage. Hanging bow ties can cause them to stretch over time.

2. Roll Them Up

Gently roll up your self-tie bow tie and store it in a small box or compartment to prevent wrinkles and save space. An elegant tie storage box like the one below is ideal. Place your rolled velvet bow tie in a small bag to preserve the integrity of the tie.

Warm Tips: Hisdern products are packaged in high-quality bow tie boxes, which are also very suitable for storage and gift giving.

3. Lay Flat

Store self-tie bow ties flat in a drawer to avoid wrinkles. Pre-tied bow ties should retain their natural shape. Drawer organizers or dividers can neatly separate the two.

4. Display

Bow tie displays and wall-mounted bow tie boxes offer an elegant storage solution for self-tie bow ties - they are neatly organized and easy to see at a glance. Just make sure your display is away from sunlight and moisture.

5. Travel Case

Men who travel frequently will benefit from a dedicated bow tie storage box to protect their fine accessories and keep them ready to wear. If you prefer pre-tied bow ties, make sure your box has enough headroom to prevent them from losing their shape during transportation.

Preventing and Repairing Wrinkles on Bow Ties

When deciding how to store your bow ties, consider the fabrics in your collection. Some fabrics wrinkle more easily than others.

If a bow tie you tie yourself wrinkles, don’t worry—in most cases, wrinkles can be fixed. With pre-tied bow ties, it’s more important to maintain the shape. Once the shape of a tie is damaged, it’s difficult to restore its crisp, clean, elegant look.

Cotton & Linen

Cotton and linen bow ties are light and breathable, but they can also wrinkle easily.

Hanging a wrinkled cotton and linen bow tie in a steamy bathroom can help smooth out minor wrinkles. You can use a medium-high steam iron to remove more severe wrinkles—but be sure to place a damp cloth (such as a thin cotton towel) on the tie to prevent direct heat damage, and only press gently to avoid applying too much pressure to the wrinkles.

Wool

While wool is more compact and less prone to wrinkling, it can still leave wrinkles when folded. (Remember: hang, roll, or store flat!)

Avoid direct ironing, as high temperatures can damage wool fibers. It is recommended to use a steam iron, gently smoothing out wrinkles while the tie is slightly damp. If ironing is necessary, set the iron to low heat (wool mode) and place an ironing cloth between the iron and the fabric. Hanging the tie in a steam room or laying it flat to dry after steam ironing will help it retain its shape.

Silk & Satin

High-quality silks (including satin) have a stronger natural hold and are less likely to wrinkle.

If wrinkles occur, be sure to avoid excessive heat or moisture, as silk is delicate and loses its luster easily. Use low heat (silk mode) and no steam when ironing. Cover silk ties with a thin cotton cloth and iron gently to avoid burns or oil stains. If using steam ironing, keep the steam iron a few inches away from the fabric to prevent water spots. Hang the tie to dry after ironing for best results.

Velvet Ties

Velvet ties are generally less likely to lose their shape and wrinkle.

If you're unlucky, be careful - never iron velvet, as it can crush the fibers and leave permanent marks. The first step should be to hang the tie in a steamy bathroom. If needed, use a steam iron to gently iron the fabric from the back, avoiding direct contact with the nap on the front. Gently scrubbing it with a soft clothes brush after ironing will help restore its texture.

How to Organize Your Bow Ties

Keeping your bow ties organized and easy to navigate is essential to maintaining the integrity of each tie and making you enjoy each beautiful accessory even more. Here are four ways we recommend to organize your bow ties effectively.

By Occasion

Organizing your bow ties by occasion ensures you can quickly find the right tie for a formal occasion, business, casual outing, or themed celebration.

• Formal – Classic black, white, or soft silk, satin, or velvet for formal occasions.
• Business/Professional – Solid colors, subtle patterns, or textured fabrics for work.
• Casual Everyday – Cotton, linen, and playful patterns pair well with casual outfits.
• Holiday Themes – Store them separately for quick access when needed (think Christmas, the Kentucky Derby, or patriotic holidays).

By Season

Storing your bow ties by seasonal fabric and color will help you stay comfortable and stylish, with lighter fabrics for spring and summer and heavier fabrics for fall and winter.

• Warm Weather – linen, cotton and seersucker in muted or bright colors.
• Cold Weather – wool, velvet and heavy fabrics in darker or brighter colors.
• Transition – some bow ties can be used year-round and can be stored together.

By Color

Sort your bow ties by color to match them to a variety of outfits and ensure a balanced mix of neutral, bold and patterned colors.

• Neutral Colors - Black, navy, grey, white and beige are versatile and practical.
• Bright & Bold Colors - Red, blue, orange and green - create a personal look.
• Patterns & Prints - Polka dots, stripes, paisley and novel designs.

By Fabric

Sort your bow ties by fabric to prevent damage, as delicate fabrics such as silk and velvet require different care than cotton, wool or linen.

• Cotton & Linen - fold or roll to avoid obvious wrinkles.
• Wool - store flat in a breathable space to prevent stretching.
• Silk & Satin - store separately to prevent friction damage and wrinkling.
• Velvet - store in a cloth bag or hang carefully to prevent the fluff from being crushed.

How do you store your bow ties? Show us your well-stored and organized collection by tagging #Hisdern on social media – we’re on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Have questions? Get in touch or stop by the shop and visit with us. We’re here to help.