Making It: Ellsworth & Clyde

While virtually every piece of a man’s wardrobe has evolved over the past century, the tie bar has remained relatively unchanged. But after three college friends found themselves bored with the monotonous selection of bars, clips and clasps available at retail, they took it upon themselves to add a fresh alternative to the mix.

Through an arduous process of trial and error, Ellsworth & Clyde was born, and has since introduced a re-engineered tie bar applying the same level of consideration and craftsmanship normally devoted to other elements of traditional menswear.

“We figure if all of this work goes into a man’s suit, jeans and shoes, why should his tie bar be any different?” says Paul Castellana, chief craftsman for Ellsworth & Clyde. And along with co-founders Elliott Curtis and Jesse Chorng, they appear to be onto something.

Utilizing time-tested materials such as high-quality hardwoods and premium leathers, each tie bar from Ellsworth & Clyde is exactly what you’d expect from an American handcrafted accessory company. Magnetic closures are implemented opposed to those cumbersome clip mechanisms, with each side offering a different width to accommodate a variety of ties.

And if you’re wondering where the name Ellsworth & Clyde comes from, their dormitory at Carnegie Mellon University was on the corner of Ellsworth Avenue and Clyde Street in Pittsburgh.