I Wore My Dad’s Ties for a Week (Here’s What I Learned)

Man smiling, wearing different patterned ties in a collage. Text reads: "MY DAD'S TIE COLLECTION." Background is light orange.

Introduction

I've always loved my father's tie collection.

So, I was really excited when he let me wear one of his favorite ties in last week's Severance-inspired video.

Smiling person in glasses takes a selfie in a bathroom, wearing a blue suit and colorful tie. Beige wall and taped photo border visible.

The tie is a Jerry Garcia tie that is a physical portrait of his actual artwork.

It felt awesome to wear, and I’m glad it got to be the centerpiece of this video.

But as I took the tie off, I knew I wasn’t done with these Jerry Garcia ties.

So I asked my dad if I could wear more of them this week—and he said yes!

To make things fun, I decided to wear the ties in my videos all week and not really address them.

So here’s a recap of everything I wore:

A person in glasses smiles, taking a mirror selfie. They're wearing a purple shirt and tie. Orange phone case visible; room background.

Saturday - The Forgotten Purple Shirt

I'm glad this tie re-introduced me to this purple shirt. It's definitely a great choice for spring (what's left of it lol).

Smiling person in glasses takes a mirror selfie. Wears a blue suit, striped shirt, patterned tie. Background: bathroom with art on wall.

Sunday - Happy Easter!

Print on print will always be in style

Man in glasses takes a mirror selfie wearing a colorful printed shirt and gold tie. Warm background and relaxed expression.

Monday - No Such Thing as "Too Much"

I love the way that these prints sit together. There's something fun about finding a combination that's too much but in a way that makes it just enough.

A person in glasses takes a mirror selfie, wearing a checkered shirt and colorful tie, smiling. Background includes a glass shower door.

Tuesday - Ode to Khaki

If I'm being honest, I don't wear khaki bottoms nearly as much as I should, but I'm thankful this tie gave me a reason to.

Man in glasses, black shirt, and patterned tie takes a mirror selfie in a bathroom with beige background, smiling, holding an orange phone.

Wednesday - Corduroy Appreciation

Like Khaki, I need to wear corduroy more.

Man in a blue suit and patterned tie takes a mirror selfie in a bathroom. He smiles, holding an orange phone. Warm beige frame surrounds photo.

Thursday - Fish Tie

It's hard to see, but this tie has a giant fish on it. I used to think that ties had to be super formal to belong in the workplace, but I think, as long as your outfit is intentional and well-constructed, there's room for personality.

A person is wearing different patterned shirts and ties in a collage. A yellow bar reads "WHAT I LEARNED." Mood is cheerful.

Conclusion - What did I learn?

All in all, my father’s ties taught me how fun it is to try new things with your clothing.

I love my current relationship with fashion, but sometimes I miss the feeling of falling in love with it for the first time.

These ties reminded me that trying something new can reignite that enthusiasm for being creative—and I’m thankful I learned that.

They also taught me that I need to invest in more wide neckties.

There’s something so cool about the wide shape, and I need to upgrade my collection over the coming months.

Lastly, my dad’s ties taught me that my sense of style isn’t mine.

I often think of my style as original, but wearing my father’s ties made me realize that so much of it is inherited.

The creative, helpful, and professory character I try to dress up as is just a caricature of the person I watched get ready every day as a kid.

Fashion is a physical expression of what makes you you, and our role models shape that more than we admit.

It’s cool to know that my clothes are part of a story that started with what my dad wore to work every day.

I’m proud to have worn my dad’s ties this week—and I hope he’s proud of me too.

Thanks for reading!

–JM

P.S. - I had so much fun wearing matching Jerry Garcia ties with my Dad on Easter. I love coordinating my outfits to match other people's.

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