Welcome to R. Hanauer! Did you know every single one of our bow ties are handmade in our Fort Mill, South Carolina workshop? Working in a small family business requires the flexibility to wear many hats, and when the cutter is out sick, you can even find founder Randy on the cutting room floor.

Here's a behind the scenes look at how the best tying bow ties come to life.

Founder Randy Hanauer on the cutting room floor.

Cummerbund sets in creation.

One of our talented seamstresses, Debbie, crafting a bow tie.

Ingredients for the perfect handmade bow tie: fine fabrics and threads.

We're proud to offer excellent customer service, all out of the same Fort Mill workshop you see above. If you are unsure about a color or design, just ask. We would be happy to send a free swatch! E-mail us at support@bowties.com or, if you're old fashioned like us, give us a call, 800-514-9707.

1. The Kentucky Derby: According to the website of the annual event, almost 120,000 mint juleps are sold at Churchill Downs over the two days of the Kentucky Derby. Most insist upon a classic julep being made with bourbon which can only be made in the state of Kentucky. Give this classic cocktail and race a nod with the Mint Julep bow tie.

Mint Julep Bow Tie - B3949, $60

1. The Carolina Cup: South Carolina’s spring race is held in Camden and although betting isn’t allowed, the event hosts approximately 60,000 guests per year. The Columbia Palmetto bow tie gives tribute to the state’s palmetto tree and moon.

Columbia Palmetto Bow Tie - B3974, $65

1. The Iroquois Steeplechase: The Nashville-based event is a fierce challenge for racehorses. The final stretch of the three mile course is named “Heartbreak Hill,” attributed to the grueling uphill climb the winners must champion. Snaffle bits is a great tribute to the legendary list of winners from past Steeplechase events.

Snaffle Bits Bow Tie - B3933, $65

View our entire Steeplechase and Derby selection here.

1. Daytime weddings call for cotton or linen. Although many suits for men are 3-season wool, you should always take the opportunity to wear your cotton and linen suits for an outdoor spring wedding. Accessorize with the classic Linen Rishra cummerbund set.

Linen Risha Cummerbund Set – CB2840, $95

2. Experiment with color. With new colors popping out from the earth, it’s a fantastic time to break out new hues. Feel the freedom to wear something brighter than usual. Try out something dynamic, yet classic, like the Madras Quad bow tie.

3. Pull out your pocket squares (and bring two). Pocket squares are the epitome of chivalry. Once meant to hand off to your date, this rule can still apply today. Bring backup, one for style and one for sharing.

Whipstitch Border Pocket Square, $55

Be in style for every spring wedding. View our entire spring bow tie collection here.

• APRIL 1, 2017: CAROLINA CUP - Camden, SC
• APRIL 7-28, 2017: KEENELAND – Lexington, KY
• APRIL 29, 2017: QUEENS CUP – Mineral Springs, NC
• MAY 5-6, 2017: KENTUCKY DERBY – Louisville, KY
• MAY 13, 2017: IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE – Nashville, TN
• MAY 20, 2017: THE PREAKNESS – Baltimore, MD
• JUNE 8-10, 2017: BELMONT STAKES – Elmont, NY
• AUGUST 12, 2017: ARLINGTON MILLION – Arlington Heights, IL

What to wear? View our entire Steeplechase and Derby collection here.

At R. Hanauer, we are proud to hand select each fabric for our products and have a particularly interesting story behind a silk fabric in the spring 2017 collection.

The “Springmaid Girls” bow ties, pocket squares and cummerbund sets are inspired by a fascinating figure from our hometown of Fort Mill, South Carolina, “Colonel” Elliot White Springs (via SCETV).

After serving in World War I and writing the successful novel Warbirds: The Diary of an Unknown Aviator, Elliot Springs landed in New York as a magazine journalist. Shortly after, his father convinced him to return to South Carolina to help with the family textile business, Springs Mills.

The business suffered during The Great Depression, but World War II created a new demand for textiles helping Springs Mills get back on its feet. After the war, Colonel Springs decided to produce finished goods but realized they were an inherently uninteresting product to sell. He was faced with a new challenge - persuading American households to purchase Springmaid sheets and pillow cases.

From the 1930s until late 1950s, Springs ran a colorful advertising campaign to increase sales of his bed linens. Promoting benefits like wind and flame resistance, the advertisements featured women posed in flirtatious positions, often in the direct path of a gust of wind. The ads were culturally relevant, sexually charged and used humor as a neutralizer. The strategy worked.

The campaign made national headlines, drastically improved sales of Springmaid sheets and the “Springmaids” still live on today inside marketing textbooks and on our very own, "Springmaid Girls" bow ties, pocket squares and cummerbund sets. Find them all here.

Photo via Envisioning the American Dream

The Oscars are a fine time to preview top-notch bow tie fashion. Many stars sport tuxedos for Hollywood's most prestigious awards ceremony.  Below are three past ensembles that showcase the timeless staple, the formal, black bow tie. 

1) Classic (Leonardo DiCaprio, 2016): There is nothing wrong with the "black tie 101" style of a peak lapel tuxedo and black bow tie. Their color and angles are quite complementary. Although less than daring, they are a timeless pair.

2) Relaxed (Ansel Elgort, 2015): The shawl collar was made for a more relaxed look as men used to trade in their formal jackets for a shawl-collared smoking jacket, as to not ruin their formal attire. The black shawl collar on a navy tuxedo makes for a perfect pair with a black bow tie. 

3) Daring (Chris Hemsworth, 2015): A jewel-toned tuxedo is an excellent partner for the black bow tie. The bow tie is the final touch, the area where is eye is drawn, making the renegade look effortless but exciting. 

Gentlemen, start crafting your signature style with some inspiration from our formal bow tie collection. 

On the eve of February 14th, we come to remind you Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to wow your sweetheart. While there are many ways to impress your Valentine, these three things must be on your checklist. 

1. A card. Take this opportunity to put your feelings in writing. Unlike dinner or flowers, a card will last as long as they wish. You don't have to be lengthy or Shakespeare to make an impact; you just have to be genuine. 
2. Flowers. Never believe a woman who says she doesn't want flowers or anyone who says you have to spend a fortune on the "deluxe" 20-stem rose bouquet. Pick some flowers from a nearby garden or stop by a grocery store with unique stems (we recommend Trader Joe's). 
3. Valentine's Day. We think you know where we're going with this. Mark it on your Google calendar, gentlemen. Valentine's Day can make or break you.

To look your best in a bow tie, view our Valentine's Day collection here.