City bowties help you rep your hood

Everyone loves to rep their hood, and there’s probably no hipper way to demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T than by sporting a spiffy bowtie.

At least that’s what San Francisco-based bowtie company Tasty Ties is betting on.

Long misunderstood as an accessory fit for only glitzy affairs, the custom bowtie company hopes to redefine the neckwear as an everyday item. And her mission is quickly making headway with the debut collection of cheeky bowties inspired by The City’s neighborhoods.

Are you a leather-lovin’ Daddy from SOMA? How ’bout a studded black leather bowtie to compliment your chainmail jockstrap?

A Presidio dweller? Salute to an Army green wool bowtie with custom bullet casing tie tack!

The San Francisco Collection’s 15 bowties debuted on the Tasty Ties website Friday, many designed with vintage and remnant fabrics. Others include custom accents like ‘staches, bicycles and saxophones. With prices beginning at $79, each limited edition bowtie has an inventory of up to 20 pieces.

Tasty Ties co-founder and designer Jen Hartford told SFBay she is delighted the ties are already selling out:

“I was confident in the collection, but I wasn’t sure how people would respond. I’m surprised they’re selling out so soon — it’s awesome.”

Hartford has been developing these babies for the last half year, drawing inspiration from her adventures studying and living in San Francisco. She also consulted with other city-dwellers, who were all supportive of the collection’s concept:

“Anyone who’s live in San Francisco can pretty quickly feel out its microcultures and how proud people are of their neighborhoods.”

If you don’t see your neighborhood in the collection, don’t fret. Hartford said she’s considering expanding the bowties to areas like Potrero Hill and North Beach.

And as if family-saturated Noe Valley couldn’t get anymore aww-worthy, she’s even toying with the idea of creating matching adult and baby bowties!

And ladies, don’t think these bowties are just for men. Team SFBay picks include the ritzy “Chinatown” on Chinese black silk, and of course the black and orange pinstripe “Embarcadero” for our one and only San Francisco Giants.