Buying guide for best tie racks
Some guys love neckties, and some hate them. Regardless of how you feel about these fashion flourishes, chances are good you own a bunch of them. And whether it’s for your daily work attire or a rare special occasion, when the time comes to pick one out, they never seem to be organized how you need them to be. That’s why it’s important to have a tie rack to hold your cravats.
A man with ties but without a tie rack is a man with a mess on his hands. Ties tangled on a closet floor look like a den of snakes. Assuming you can even coax one out of the knot, a rumpled tie isn’t really going to smartly finish off your look, now is it?
Get yourself a good tie rack, and you’ll be ready to start each day right. Whether you prefer an automated tie rack or just a basic row of static hooks, a tie rack is a must-have item for men who want their tie collection to be in order and at the ready.
Key considerations
The way a man organizes his closet says a lot about who he is as a person. By extension, the same can be said for his tie rack. In order to choose a tie rack that gives you the most functionality for your needs, you need to think about how often you wear your ties as well as how you like them organized. This will help you determine which tie rack would best suit your needs.
The best way to make sure you consider all of the important factors in choosing a tie rack is to envision yourself dressing in the morning. Walk through the entire process in your head, and you’ll have a better idea of what tie rack features would be most useful for your daily routine.
Automated vs. fixed
An automated tie rack is designed so the ties rotate in front of you with the push of a button. A fixed tie rack keeps the ties in a static position, meaning that you do the searching yourself. Personal preference and cost will guide your decision on this design question. While some people like the convenience of an automated tie-rack, others find it tedious and prefer the “analog” style of choosing a tie for the day. Think about your own morning routine and preferences when choosing between these two styles.
Location
While some men will choose to place their tie rack in the closet with the rest of their clothes, others prefer to keep it out in the open. This makes the rack more easily accessible and visible. When determining which tie rack you want for yourself, consider where you plan to house the rack. Note that some automated models require an electrical outlet (as opposed to being battery-powered), so you’ll need to factor that into your decision.
Capacity
If you only have to store 10 ties, you won’t need the same robust tie rack as someone who owns 100 ties. Count your current tie inventory, and estimate how many more ties you may be acquiring in the future. This will help you determine the capacity that you will need for one or multiple tie racks.
Hanger-based vs. wall-mounted
Some people like the ease of a tie hanger as opposed to a traditional tie rack. As the name would suggest, these tie racks hang directly from the bar in your closet and hold the ties similar to a hanger holding a shirt. The ties lie flat against one another and are accessible in the same way you would grab any other item hanging in your closet.
Expert Tip
Housing your ties in the closet next to your shirts can make choosing a matching outfit quicker than housing them separately.
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Features
Tie racks are becoming complex in design, and you now have access to a number of different styles and materials. Consider the following features to determine if any of them offer you the convenience that you need when storing and choosing a tie.
Automated rotation
Some tie racks are plug-in or battery operated, and can rotate automatically with the push of a button. These racks offer a level of convenience that some of the static racks cannot. If you are a fan of electronics, you’ll want to consider a tie rack with an automated rotation feature.
LED lights
A number of the tie racks that have automated rotation also have LED lights attached. These lights make it easier to choose a tie in low-light conditions, such as in the early morning in your closet.
Pull-out function
Some static tie racks have a hinge at the base which can swing out from the wall for easier access. The benefit of this feature is that the ties can stay flush with the wall when not being used but can be easy to view and choose when necessary. This is a great feature for people with limited space.
Extra storage
Some mounted tie racks have a shelf on top for storage. This shelf can be useful for small accessories such as tie clips, glasses, or jewelry. If you have a need for accessory storage, consider a tie rack that contains a shelf on top for this purpose.
Expert Tip
If you have unused hooks or gaps in your tie rack, use them to hold your belts or other accessories.
STAFF
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Tie rack prices
Inexpensive: You can find a reasonable number of options for basic tie racks priced between $5 and $30. These will be mostly static racks and hanger racks, but there are a number of good choices within this range.
Mid-range: Tie racks costing between $30 and $75 are mostly automated versions that are battery powered. They offer convenience, but may not be as sturdy as the more expensive models.
Expensive: The tie racks found between $75 and $100 are generally the highest-quality automated racks. Many of them are plugged into a wall socket rather than battery-powered, and they are engineered well enough that they rarely malfunction.
Tips
- Don’t overload your tie rack. Both automated and static tie racks are susceptible to damage from overloading, be it from bending the rack itself or jamming the motor.
- If your automated tie rack is stuck, do not force it by hand. You likely have a tie caught in the mechanics.
- Always consult your tie’s label before cleaning. Many are made of silk or other delicate materials that require special handling.
Expert Tip
Think about the order in which you like to get dressed when choosing where to place your tie rack. This can make dressing in the morning a more smooth affair.
STAFF
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Other products we considered
Tie racks are an essential part of any man’s closet. That’s why we’re offering a few additional options in case you didn’t find one that you want above. An inexpensive tie rack that makes storing your ties a breeze is the Tenby Living Two-Pack Tie Rack. This hanger style rack has small clips that prevent slipping and keeps up to 20 ties in place per rack.
A moderately priced alternative is the Starax 18” Side Mount Sliding Tie Rack. This rack has a thin ball-bearing slide that makes moving the rack to and fro as easy as can be.
If you’re planning on investing in an expensive storage option, consider the TimelyBuys Cherry Wood Storage Box. Though not a rack, this elegant storage box is the perfect way to keep your ties crisp and clean until they’re needed. For some people, keeping their ties in a nice box, rather than hanging on a rack, is the easiest way to keep them organized and clean.
FAQ
Q. Isn’t it just as easy to keep my ties in a drawer?
A. No, because keeping your ties in a drawer will lead to them being wrinkled and messy when you need them.
Q. Is keeping my ties on a clothes hanger the same as storing them on a hanger-style rack?
A. Most hanger-style tie racks have rubber and plastic clips that help your ties stay in place when in the closet. Hanging them on a regular clothes hanger can lead to a mess on your closet floor.
Q. Is an automated tie rack preferable to a static one?
A. Whether you prefer to use an automated tie rack or a static one is a function of your personal preferences and needs. Neither is universally better than the other.
