Back Down South

Cordial

We’ve loved The Cordial Churchman since Mark ordered his first one last year (and by first one, I do mean first bow tie ever. Shocking, I know!) We were hooked. Not only were the prices unbeatable, but the fact that they’re handmade in South Carolina made us love this small business all the more. Since that first purchase, we now own six Cordial Churchman bows, two of those being custom fit and designed for my girl neck. In addition, we also have two bows that they converted from neckties to bow ties for us. We love this company, we support this company, and we think you need a Cordial Churchman bow tie. Read a bit more about Andy and Ellie below and then enter for your chance to win one!

Our collection of TCC bows

Raised in:
Andy: A suburb of Akron, Ohio, home of rubber, the Soap Box Derby, LeBron James, and arguably the birthplace of the hamburger.
Ellie: We moved around quite a bit. Born in Arizona, lived in South Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio during my formative years. As soon as I graduated college, we packed up and traveled down I-77 to South Carolina and have been here ever since.

Favorite thing about South Carolina:
Andy: We first visited Columbia in early April of 2004 when we needed to decide if I should enter the MA program in History at USC. There was still snow on the ground in Akron, so having my morning coffee outside under a Palmetto tree with azaleas in bloom initially did the trick. Had they recruited me in August, we might still be Ohioans. Believe it or not, there’s a similar underdog, hard-nosed, defiant, delightfully backward mentality in South Carolina as there is in Ohio. It’s just that Northeast Ohio lost its prosperous economic way of life a century after South Carolina did. I’m oddly at home here despite the cultural differences. The real difference is that it’s not quite as odd to wear a bow tie in South Carolina as in Ohio.
Ellie: Front Porches.

The Cordial Churchman family
Image via Project:Life Photography

What sets you apart from the other bow tie companies in the south:
Andy: We don’t do much traditional silk. It’s hard to imagine a bow tie collection without classic silk repp stripes, but there’s also a growing interest in using fabrics traditionally used for shirting and suiting (worsted wool, tweed, seersucker, madras) in accessories like bow ties. We didn’t know this when we started offering them, we just thought it might be interesting, and these fabrics were less difficult for us to source than necktie silks. We also make all our bow ties customized to the specifications of our customers, instead of having them pre-made and stocked. We find that people are happy to wait a week or two to get a handmade, custom bow tie with a personal note from us. And, of course, our price point is much lower than the average. We’ve sold scores of people their very first bow tie. People love that they can get a custom handmade bow tie even if they’re not sure they are really “a bow tie person.” This is important to us, and it’s proved to be a key part of our success.
Ellie: I like to give a very personal touch to every transaction as much as is possible. We know that we could be charging more but choose not to because we feel like we charge what is fair.

In one word, describe your bows:
Andy: Clever
Ellie: Charming

Win one of these festive, 100% wool bow ties for Christmas!

To enter:

Comments

  3. Jerrod says

    Did all of the above and recommended you to some friends! Just discovered this website and really like it.

    If I win, I like the Martin.

  11. Chad McGee says

    I’d love any of them honestly. I started with my first in March of this year from Cordial Churchman and now have 5 from them. Several are on my Christmas list this year too. If I have to name one, I’ll go with the Martin.

  12. Simon VanLangevelde says

    Would love the Martin. trying to spread the bowtie fad in the north in Western Michigan when I head back for winter break from school. Would love to give it away to the first compliment I receive on it.

  18. Krystal says

    Hey! Sorry about the twitter response…I would love to win the Charles. Looks great and classic. I know just the guy to gift this one to for the holiday season.

  19. Kurt Gwathney says

    Tough choice! I’m big on High Cotton Ties, but the Cordial Gentlemen line is AMAZING! I think I’ll have to go with Charles. May the best man/woman win and have a wonderful holiday season!

  20. Adam says

    Aberdeen for sure — what a great respect to Scottish heritage…keep up the excellent work with the site guys, and have a wonderful Holiday Season to all!!

  24. Jacob says

    The%20Aberdeen%20is%20the%20greatest%20thing%20ever%20in%20the%20history%20of%20things%20named%20after%20Aberdeen%2C%20Scotland.%20I%20would%20love%20to%20win%20it.

  25. Jacob says

    The Aberdeen is the greatest thing ever in the history of things named after Aberdeen, Scotland. I would love to win it.

  38. Krista says

    My husband is a huge bow tie fan and they definitely complete his preppy school teacher look (he teaches high school).

    I know he would love to wear the Martin at Christmas and this winter!!

  41. Dusty says

    I would be honored to sport the Martin! Thanks for running this giveaway…I was introduced to the Cordial Churchman at the Indy Craft Parade in Greenville SC a couple of years ago and LOVE their products!

  42. Dave says

    Love all three how do I choose? I’m thinking the Martin would be a fine addition.
    Thanks for the quality product!