Patent Publication Number: US-10321726-B2

Title: Customizable necktie

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This disclosure relates to neckwear. In particular, customizable neckties and systems that include a knot portion configured to be secured at or around a wearer&#39;s neck and a removably attachable blade portion are disclosed. 
     Description 
     A necktie is a long strip of cloth or other material that is frequently worn around the neck. Neckties are commonly considered a staple of men&#39;s business or formal attire but can also be worn by women. Commonly, a necktie is worn under a shirt collar and knotted at the throat, with the tie knot resting between the collar points. Neckties are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, shapes, and styles. 
     SUMMARY 
     The embodiments disclosed herein have several aspects no single one of which is solely responsible for the disclosure&#39;s desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, its more prominent features will now be briefly discussed. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the embodiments described herein provide advantages over existing neckties. 
     In a first aspect, a necktie is disclosed. The necktie includes a knot portion configured to be secured at or around a neck of a wearer. The knot portion includes a simulated knot having a front loop, and a first attachment mechanism positioned on the simulated knot and covered by the front loop. The first attachment mechanism is accessible via an opening. The necktie also includes a blade portion having a second attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism. The second attachment mechanism is positioned on the blade portion proximal to a top end of the blade portion. 
     In some embodiments, the knot portion further comprises a first strap extending from a first side of the simulated knot, a third attachment mechanism positioned on a distal end of the first strap, a second strap extending from a second side of the simulated knot, and a fourth attachment mechanism positioned on a distal end of the second strap. In some embodiments, the third attachment mechanism is configured to releasably attach to the fourth attachment mechanism to secure the knot portion around the wearer&#39;s neck. In some embodiments, the knot portion further comprises a continuous band configured to secure the knot portion around the wearer&#39;s neck. In some embodiments, the continuous band includes an elastic portion. In some embodiments, the knot portion further comprises a clip configured to secure the knot portion to a collar of a shirt. In some embodiments, the blade portion comprises a front blade portion and a rear blade portion. In some embodiments, the blade portion is reversible. In some embodiments, the second attachment mechanism of the blade portion comprises an attachment mechanism on a first side of the blade portion and an attachment mechanism on a second side of the blade portion. In some embodiments, the first and second attachment mechanisms comprise hook and loop material. In some embodiments, the first and second attachment mechanisms comprise snaps. In some embodiments, the first and second attachment mechanisms comprise a hook-and-eye closure mechanism. In some embodiments, the first and second attachment mechanisms comprise a magnetic closure mechanism. 
     In another aspect, a customizable necktie system is disclosed. The system includes at least one knot portion including a simulated knot and a first attachment mechanism. The system also includes a plurality of blade portions, each including a second attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism of the at least one knot portion. 
     In some embodiments, the second attachment mechanism of any of the plurality of blade portions is configured to releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism of the knot portion. In some embodiments, the at least one knot portion comprises a plurality of knot portions, each of the plurality of knot portion including the first attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of knot portions comprises a simulated knot of a first type that is different than at least one of the other of the plurality of knot portions. In some embodiments, the second attachment mechanism of any of the plurality of blade portions can releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism of any of the plurality of knot portions. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of blade portions is reversible. In some embodiments, the first and second attachment mechanisms comprise hook and loop material, snaps, or a hook-and-eye closure mechanism. 
     In another aspect, a necktie includes a knot portion including a simulated knot and a means for securing the knot portion at or around a neck of a wearer, a blade portion, and a means for releasably attaching the blade portion to the knot portion. In some embodiments, the means for securing the knot portion at or around a neck of the wearer is selected from the group consisting of a first strap and a second strap, a continuous elastic band, a continuous band comprising an elastic portion, and a clip. In some embodiments, the means for releasably attaching the blade portion to the knot portion is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop material, a snap, a button and a button hole, a hook-and-eye closure, a magnetic fastener, a pin, and a tack. 
     In another aspect, a kit is disclosed. The kit includes at least one knot portion including a simulated knot and a first attachment mechanism. The kit also includes at least one blade portion, the at least one blade portion including a second attachment mechanism configured to releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism of the at least one knot portion. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one knot portion comprises a plurality of knot portions. In some embodiments, the at least one blade portion comprises a plurality of blade portions. In some embodiments, the second attachment mechanism of any of the at least one blade portions is configured to releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism of any of the at least one knot portions. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of knot portions comprises a simulated knot of a first type that is different than at least one of the other of the plurality of knot portions. In some embodiments, the second attachment mechanism of any of the plurality of blade portions can releasably attach to the first attachment mechanism of any of the plurality of knot portions. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of blade portions is reversible. In some embodiments, the first and second attachment mechanisms comprise hook and loop material, snaps, or a hook-and-eye closure mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings may not be to scale. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a knot portion and a blade portion of an embodiment of a customizable necktie in an unattached configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates the knot portion and the blade portion of the customizable necktie of  FIG. 1A  in an attached configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front detail view of an embodiment of a knot portion for a customizable necktie. 
         FIG. 2B  is a cutaway front detail view of the knot portion of  FIG. 2A , which illustrates an embodiment of an attachment mechanism on the knot portion for attaching the blade portion to the knot portion. 
         FIG. 2C  is a back detail view of the knot portion of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of an embodiment of a blade portion for a customizable necktie. 
         FIG. 3B  is a back view of the blade portion of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a detail view of an embodiment an attachment mechanism on the blade portion for attaching the blade portion to the knot portion. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of an embodiment of a reversible blade portion for a customizable necktie. 
         FIG. 4B  is a back view of the reversible blade portion of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is an embodiment of a knot portion for a customizable necktie. 
         FIG. 6A  is a front view an embodiment of a clip-on knot portion for a customizable necktie. 
         FIG. 6B  is a back view of the clip-on knot portion of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a knot portion and a wing portion of an embodiment of a customizable bowtie in an unattached configuration. 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates the knot portion and the wing portion of the customizable bowtie of  FIG. 7A  in an attached configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to neckties, and in particular, to customizable neckties and systems. In some embodiments, a customizable necktie includes a knot portion. The knot portion can be configured to secured around a wearer&#39;s neck or to a wearer&#39;s shirt or collar and can include a knot. In some embodiments, the knot is a simulated or preformed knot that has the appearance of any knot that is used to tie a necktie (for example, a Windsor knot, a half-Windsor knot, a four-in-hand knot, a Pratt knot, bolo etc.). In some embodiments, the knot portion comprises an insert covered in fabric. The customizable necktie can also include a blade portion that is removably attachable to the knot portion. When attached to the knot portion, the blade portion hangs down from the knot portion and has an appearance that is similar or identical to a traditional necktie. 
     In some embodiments, a customizable necktie system can include at least one knot portion and a plurality of different blade portions. Each of the plurality of different blade portions can have a different color, pattern, style, and/or shape. To create a customizable necktie, a wearer can select and attach any of the plurality of different blade portions to the knot portion. The style and appearance of the customizable necktie can be varied by selecting and attaching different blade portions to the knot portion. In some embodiments, a customizable necktie system also includes a plurality of knot portions of different colors, patterns, styles, etc. 
     The customizable neckties and systems described herein can provide one or more advantages over traditional neckties. For example, in some embodiments, a customizable necktie does not require the wearer to tie the necktie. Instead, the wearer can simply attach (as will be more fully described below) a blade portion to a knot portion that includes a simulated or preformed knot. This can be advantageous as many wearers may find executing the knots traditionally used to tie neckties to be difficult. As another example, in some embodiments, the customizable neckties described herein allow a user to vary the style and appearance of the customizable necktie by combining different blade portions with different knot portions. In some embodiments, for example, a customizable necktie allows a user to pair a blade portion of a first color with a knot portion of a second color to create a necktie that has a knot that is a different color than the blade—such an appearance is not readily achievable with traditional neckties. 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. Thus, in some embodiments, part numbers can be used for similar components in multiple figures, or part numbers can vary from figure to figure. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments can be utilized, and other changes can be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations by a person of ordinary skill in the art, all of which are made part of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a knot portion  102  and a blade portion  120  of an embodiment of a customizable necktie  100 . The knot portion  102  is configured to be secured around a wearer&#39;s neck and includes a knot  104 . The blade portion  120  is configured in size and shape to correspond to the portion of a conventional necktie that hangs below the knot. In  FIG. 1A , the knot portion  102  and the blade portion  120  are illustrated in an unattached configuration; however, the blade portion  120  can be releasably attached to the knot portion  102  as shown in the attached configuration of  FIG. 1B . In some embodiments, in the attached configuration, the necktie  100  has an appearance that is similar or identical to a conventional necktie. That is, in some embodiments, when the necktie  100  is worn by a wearer, it may not be readily apparent to an observer that the necktie  100  is not a conventional necktie. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1A , the knot portion  102  includes a knot  104  as noted above. In some embodiments, the knot  104  is a simulated or preformed knot. That is, the knot  104  can be configured with the shape of a knot, but need not be actually tied by a wearer. The knot  104  can have the appearance of any knot that is used to tie a conventional necktie, such as a Windsor knot, a half-Windsor knot, a four-in-hand knot, a Pratt knot, etc. In some embodiments, the knot  104  is made from materials that are commonly used in conventional neckties, including, but not limited to, a silk or polyester shell surrounding an interlining material made of brushed wool or other similar materials. In some embodiments, the knot  104  can be formed by first tying a length of fabric into a knot shape and then sewing the fabric together such that the knot cannot be undone. In some embodiments, the knot  104  can comprise fabric covered insert has the shape of a knot. For example, an insert can be formed that has the general shape of a knot and covered with fabric so as to have the appearance of a knot. The insert can be made from, for example, plastic, metal, wood, rubber, foam, a padding material, a batting material, etc. 
     The knot  104  includes an attachment mechanism  106 . The attachment mechanism  106  is configured to allow the blade portion  120  to attach to the knot  104 . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  106  of the knot  104  attaches to a corresponding attachment mechanism  128  on the blade portion  120 . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  106  of the knot  104  is not externally visible. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism  106  is hidden below (and is thus illustrated with dashed lines) a front loop  108  of the knot  104 . The front loop  108  of the knot  104  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism  106  is accessible via an opening  110 . The opening  110  can be formed in the bottom of the knot  104 . The opening  110  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2C . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  106  is positioned on the back of the knot  104  such that it is not visible when the necktie  100  is worn. 
     The blade portion  120  includes an attachment mechanism  128 . The attachment mechanism  128  of the blade portion  120  is configured to releasably attach to the attachment mechanism  106  of the knot portion  102 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the attachment mechanism  128  is positioned on a back side  125  of the blade portion  120  and thus is illustrated with dashed lines. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism  128  is positioned proximal to a top end  122  of the blade portion  120 . For example, in some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  128  is positioned within 2 inches, within 1.75 inches, within 1.5 inches, within 1.25 inches, within 1.0 inches, within 0.75 inches, 0.5 inches, or within 0.25 inches of the top  122  of the blade portion  120 . 
     As noted previously, the attachment mechanism  128  of the blade portion  120  is configured to correspond with and releasably attach to the attachment mechanism  106  of the knot portion  102 . For example, the attachment mechanisms  106 ,  128  can comprise hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro), snaps, buttons and button holes, hook-and-eye closures, magnetic fasteners, pins, tacks, or any other suitable type of attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanisms  106 ,  128  are not externally visible or apparent when the necktie  100  is worn. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanisms  106 ,  128  are visible. 
     In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  128  of the blade portion  120  is releasably attached to the attachment mechanism  106  of the knot portion  102  by inserting the top end  122  of the blade portion  120  through the opening  110  in the knot  104  and underneath the front loop  108  of the knot  104  until the attachment mechanism  128  reaches the attachment mechanism  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the attachment mechanisms  106 ,  128  comprise a tie tack that is inserted through both the knot  104  and the blade portion  128  to attach the blade portion  128  to the knot portion  102 . For example, the top end  122  of the blade portion  120  can be inserted through the opening  110  below the front flap  108 . A tie tack can be pushed through the front flap  108  and the top end  122  of the blade portion  120  to releasably attach the blade portion  120  to the knot portion  102 . 
     With continued reference to the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the knot portion  102  includes a neck portion  107  that extends from the knot  104 . The neck portion  107  is configured to secure the knot portion  102  around a user&#39;s neck. As illustrated, the neck portion  107  includes a first strap  112  and second strap  114 . The first strap  112  extends from a first side of the knot  104  and the second strap  114  extends from a second side of the knot  104 . An attachment mechanism  116  is positioned proximal to the end of the first strap  112  and corresponding attachment mechanism  118  is positioned proximal to the end of the second strap  114 . The attachment mechanism  116  is configured to attach to the attachment mechanism  118  to releasably attach the first strap  112  to the second strap  114  as shown in  FIG. 1B . The attachment mechanisms  116 ,  118  can comprise, for example, hook and loop material (e.g. Velcro), snaps, buttons and button holes, hook-and-eye closures, magnetic fasteners, buckles (e.g., similar to a belt), pins, tacks, or any other suitable type of attachment mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second straps  112 ,  114  are configured to accommodate (in other words, fit) a range of neck sizes. For example, the attachment mechanism  118  can attach to the attachment mechanism  116  at a first location such that the neck portion  107  forms a first circumference, and the attachment mechanism  118  can attach to the attachment mechanism  116  at a second location such that the neck portion  107  forms a second circumference. In some embodiments, the neck portion  107  can be configured to accommodate necks between 8 and 20 inches, between 10 and 19 inches, between 12 and 18 inches, and between 14 and 18 inches, although other ranges are also possible. In some embodiments, the first and second straps  112 ,  114  are the same length. In some embodiments, the first strap  112  is longer than the second strap  114  or vice versa. In some embodiments, the neck portion  107  comprises a continuous loop as shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the neck portion  107  is omitted and the knot portion  102  includes a clip that is used to attach the knot portion  102  to a shirt as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first and second straps  112 ,  114  of the neck portion  107  can be configured to fit under a shirt collar in a manner similar to a convention necktie, such that the knot  104  is positioned on a wearer&#39;s throat generally between the points of the shirt collar. As such, in some embodiments, the first and second straps  112 ,  114  are configured in size and shape to have a width W that can be hidden under a shirt collar. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second straps  112 ,  114  can have a width W of approximately no more than 1.5 inches, no more than 1.25 inches, no more than 1.0 inches, no more than 0.75 inches, no more than 0.25 inches, or thinner, although other widths are also possible. In some embodiments, the first and second straps  112 ,  114  can have a thickness that is comparable to the thickness of a conventional necktie or thinner. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second straps  112 ,  114  of the neck portion  107  extend from the knot  104  with an appearance that is similar or identical to a conventional necktie when worn. In some embodiments, the neck portion  107 , including the first and second straps  112 ,  114 , is made from materials that are commonly used in conventional neckties, including, but not limited to, a silk or polyester shell surrounding an interlining material of brushed wool or other similar materials. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the blade portion  120  has the appearance of the visible portion of the blade of a conventional necktie. As shown, the blade portion extends between top end  122  and tip  126 . A length L, measured between the top end  122  and the tip  126 , can be configured to correspond to the length of the visible portion of the blade of a conventional necktie (as measured between the knot and the tip of the conventional necktie). For example, in some embodiments, the length L can be between 15 inches and 25 inches long, although other lengths are possible. For example, the length L can be 2 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, 12, inches 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches, 22 inches, 24 inches, 26 inches, 28 inches, 30 inches, as well as any value or range therebetween. In some embodiments, the length L is longer than 30 inches. In some embodiments, the length L is chosen to correspond to the particular wearer such that when the necktie  100  is worn, the tip  126  of the blade portion  120  falls approximately at the wearer&#39;s belt buckle, although the length L can be longer or shorter depending on the wearer&#39;s preference. 
     The blade portion  120  includes a front blade  121  which corresponds to the front blade, wide blade, or visual portion below the knot of a conventional necktie. In some embodiments, the blade portion  120  may also include a rear blade  134  (see  FIG. 3B ) that corresponds to the back blade or narrow blade of a conventional necktie. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the front blade  121  tapers outwardly from the top end  122  to a wide point  124  before tapering inwardly to the tip  126 . The angle of these tapers can be varied without limit depending on style. For example, the front blade  121  can have a shape that mimics a conventional tie, a wide/fat tie, a narrow/skinny tie, or any other type of tie without limit. In some embodiments, the blade portion  120  is made from materials that are commonly used in conventional neckties, including, but not limited to, a silk or polyester shell surrounding an interlining material of brushed wool or other similar materials. 
     When worn, a front surface  123  of the front blade  121  is visible and a back surface  125  of the front blade  121  is positioned against a wearer&#39;s body. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  128  is positioned on the back surface  125  of the blade portion  121 . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  128  is configured on the front surface  123  of the front blade  121 . In some embodiments, the rear blade  134  is omitted. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates the knot portion  102  and the blade portion  120  of the necktie  100  in an attached configuration. As shown, the top end  122  of the blade portion  120  is positioned below the front flap  108  of the knot  104  (by inserting the top end  122  through the opening  110 ) such that the attachment mechanism  128  of the blade portion  120  releasably attaches to the attachment mechanism  106  of the knot portion  102 . Although the connection between the blade portion  120  and the knot portion  102  is illustrated using dashed lines in  FIG. 1B , in some embodiments, this connection is not readily apparent to an observer, such that the necktie  100  appears to be a conventional necktie. In  FIG. 1B , the first strap  112  is illustrated attached to the second strap  114  (attachment mechanism  116  is attached to attachment mechanism  118 ) as if the knot portion  102  were secured around a wearer&#39;s neck. 
     Although  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate only one knot portion  102  and one blade portion  120 , a system for customizable ties may include more than one of either, such that knot portions  102  can be mixed and matched with blade portions  122  to create various combinations and styles. For example, a plurality of knot portions  102  can be provided in various colors and patterns, and with different sizes and types of knots. Similarly, a plurality of blade portions  122  can be provided in various colors, patterns, lengths, shapes, etc. In some embodiments, any of the plurality of blade portions  122  can be attached to any of the plurality of knot portions  102 . A particular advantage of some embodiments of customizable tie systems is that a wearer can create a tie with a knot of a first color or pattern and a blade of a second color or pattern to create a look that is not readily achievable with a conventional necktie. 
       FIG. 2A  is a front detail view of an embodiment of a knot portion  102 . As shown, the front loop  108  wraps over an inner surface  130  of the knot  104 . A portion of the inner surface  130  may be visible between first and second straps  112 ,  114 . In some embodiments, the front loop  108  comprises a strip of material that extends transversely across the knot  104  (for example, from the right of the knot  104  to the left of the knot  104  relative to the orientation shown in  FIG. 2A ).  FIG. 2B  is a cutaway front detail view of the knot portion  102  of  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , a portion of the front loop  108  has been cutaway to illustrate an example position of the attachment mechanism  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism  106  comprises two eyes  132  (for example, eyes of a hook-and-eye type closure) attached to the inner surface  130  below the front loop  108 . Other numbers of eyes  132 , such as one, two, three, four, or more, may also be used.  FIG. 2C  is a back detail view of the knot portion  102  of  FIG. 2A . The opening  110  is shown in  FIG. 2C . The opening  110  can be formed by the space between the front loop  108  and the inner surface  130 . The opening  110  can be configured to allow access below the front loop  108  to the attachment mechanism  106  (e.g., the eyes  132 ) positioned on the inner surface  130  of the knot. Other configurations for the knot portion  102 , as well as other placements of the attachment mechanism  106  are possible. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  106  can be placed on an interior surface of the inner loop  108 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are front and back views of an embodiment of a blade portion  120 .  FIG. 3A  shows the front side  123  of the front blade  121  which extends from the top end  122  to the wide point  124  to the tip  126  as previously described with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As shown in the back view  FIG. 3B , the underside of the blade portion  120  can have an appearance which mimics a conventional necktie. For example, an underside of the blade portion  120  can include a back blade  134 . The back blade  134  can be attached to the top blade  121  at the top end  122 . A keeper loop  136  can be attached to the back side  125  of the front blade  121  and configured to help hide the back blade  134  below the front blade  121 . Tipping material  138  can be included at the tips of the back sides of the back blade  134  and the front blade  121  to mimic the appearance of a conventional necktie. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  128  is positioned on the back blade  134  proximal to the top end  122 . 
       FIG. 3C  is a detail view of an embodiment an attachment mechanism  128  on the blade portion  120  of  FIG. 3B . In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism  128  includes two hooks  142  (for example, hooks of a hook-and-eye type closure) for attaching the blade portion  120  to the knot portion  102 . Other numbers of hooks  142 , for example, one, two, three, four, or more are possible. In some embodiments, the two hooks  142  are positioned to attach to the two eyes  132  shown in  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 3C  also illustrates an example stitch  140  that secures the front blade  121  to the back blade  134 . In some embodiments, the front blade  121  and the back blade  134  are continuous and the stitch  140  defines a fold between the front blade  121  and the back blade  134 . In some embodiments, the stitch line  140  is proximal to the top end  122 , for example, within 1.0 inches, within 0.5 inches, within 0.25 inches, or within 0.125 inches, although other placements of the stitch line  140  are possible. In some embodiments, the stitch  140  is not visible when the blade portion  120  is attached to the knot portion  102 . In some embodiments, the stitch  140  is above (i.e., nearer the top end  122  than) the attachment mechanism  128 . In some embodiments, the stitch  140  is below (i.e., further from the top end  122  than) the attachment mechanism  128 . In some embodiments, multiple stitches  140  are included. In some embodiments, the stitch  140  is omitted. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are front and back views of an embodiment of a reversible blade portion  220  for a customizable necktie  100 . The reversible blade portion  220  includes a front side  223  ( FIG. 4A ) and a back side  225  ( FIG. 4B ). The front side  223  includes an attachment mechanism  228   a  and the back side  225  includes an attachment mechanism  228   b . Because the reversible blade portion  220  includes attachment mechanisms  228   a ,  228   b  on each side  223 ,  225  it can be attached to a knot portion  102  with either the front side  223  or the back side  225  exposed. In some embodiments, the front side  221  includes first color or pattern and the back side  223  includes a second color or pattern. Thus, a wearer can change the appearance of a customizable tie  100  including the reversible blade portion  220  by simply flipping the reversible blade portion  220  to expose the opposite side. 
       FIG. 5  is another embodiment of a knot portion  302  for the customizable necktie  100 . The knot portion  302  includes a neck portion that is configured as a continuous band  307 . In some embodiments, the continuous band  307  is elastic such that it can be stretched to slip over a wearer&#39;s head and then tighten in place around a wearer&#39;s neck. In some embodiments, the continuous band includes an elastic portion  309  that allows the knot portion  302  to be stretched to slip over a wearer&#39;s head and then tighten in place around a wearer&#39;s neck. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front and back views an embodiment of a clip-on knot portion  402  for the customizable necktie  100 . The clip-on knot portion  402  includes a knot  402  and attachment mechanism  406  similar to those described above. As shown in the back view of  FIG. 6B , the clip-on knot portion  402  includes a clip  436 . The clip  436  can extend from the back side  434  of the knot  404 . The clip  436  can be used to clip the knot portion  402  to a user&#39;s collar to secure the knot portion  402  instead of the straps or continuous band previously described. 
     Although the preceding description has focused on customizable neckties, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the principles disclosed herein are applicable to other types of neckwear. For example,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a customizable bowtie  500 . 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a knot portion  502  and a wing portion  520  of an embodiment of a customizable bowtie  500  in an unattached configuration.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the knot portion  502  and the wing portion  520  of the customizable bowtie  500  in an attached configuration. The knot portion  502  includes a knot  504  that can be a fabricated or preformed knot. The knot  504  includes a front loop  508 . An attachment mechanism  508  is positioned below the front loop  508  and is accessible via openings  510  on both sides of the knot  504 . First and second straps  512 ,  514 , including attachment mechanisms  516 ,  518  extend from the knot  504  and are configured to allow the knot portion  502  to be attached around a wearer&#39;s neck. 
     The wing portion  502  includes a first wing  522  and a second wing  524  connected by a central portion  526 . An attachment mechanism  528  is included on the central portion  526 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , in the attached configuration, the wing portion  520  is pulled under the front loop  508  such that attachment mechanism  528  releasably attaches to the attachment mechanism  506  and the first and second wings  522 ,  524  extend out the openings  510 . A plurality of wing portions  520  in different colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes can be provided such that a wearer can customize the appearance of the bowtie  500 . 
     In some embodiments, the customizable neckties described herein are configured to be worn with a collared shirt; however, this need not be the case in all embodiments. For example, a customizable necktie can be worn with a collarless shirt or no shirt at all. 
     A kit for a customizable necktie can include one or more knot portions packaged together with one or more blade portions. Any of the one or more blade portions can be releasably attached to any of the one or more knot portions to create a customizable necktie. A user may vary the appearance and style of the customizable necktie by mixing and matching knot portions and blade portions. 
     Although described above with reference to being worn by a person, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a customizable necktie as described herein can be configured for use by animals. As such, a knot portion of a customizable necktie can be configured to attach at or around a neck of an animal. 
     The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures can be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations can be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims can contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     The above description discloses several methods and materials of the present invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this invention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims.