You Clean Up Well — Billfish Ties That Will Impress

I’ve worn a tie for more hours than many of you have been alive. I’m neither proud nor ashamed of that fact – it’s the price I’ve paid to earn certain things I want, like Japanese crankbaits and trips to the Amazon.  

I do dream of the day when I’ll never have to wear one again, except perhaps to weddings and funerals, and since I’ll be the type of “don’t-give-a-damn” old curmudgeon who bristles at convention, I may not even wear one then. 

In the meantime, if you’re going to wear a tie it might as well be a fun one. Given our recent introduction to the billfish world, a sailfish or marlin pattern is a nice way to remember what the tie can get you. We’ve already mentioned the sailfish patterns from Vineyard Vines, but they’re not the only ones who’ve fished these waters. For your next formal event – whether it’s Uncle Oscar’s funeral or an IGFA banquet – here are some other choices. 

Pelican Coast Clothing Company of New Orleans spreads their fins with multiple billfish, including a marlin tie in either orange or blue. 

Or a sailfish tie in green or purple. 

Jessie Jessup Apparel, which we’ve highlighted previously, offers very affordable necktie patterned to look like the sides of various fish. One option is a sailfish. 

Another option from Jessie Jessup is a marlin. 

Longtime purveyor of fine taste Ralph Lauren has a surprisingly vibrant sailfish tie, currently marked down by over a hundred bucks – so you won’t feel as bad when you dip it in your soup. 

Southern Proper rocks a marlin in two different base colors, in both long ties and bow ties. 

And if you can’t leave the tournament game behind, Maryland’s White Marlin Open has a signature tie.

To paraphrase Fernando Lamas, it’s never better to look good than to fish good, but there’s no reason you can’t do both.