Bow Tie FAQs

  • Why are we so passionate about cork?

    Our cork bow tie is made of 100% natural cork (“cortiça”). Our cork fabric is sourced from a supplier in Portugal that has been harvesting cork for almost 100 years.

    We think cork is one of nature’s most amazing materials. Cork is:

    • naturally hypoallergenic – it does not absorb dust
    • a natural fire retardant – it burns without a flame and does not emit toxic gases during combustion
    • light and buoyant – over 50% of its volume is air
    • practically impermeable to liquids and gases – this resistance to moisture enables it to age without deteriorating

    Each cork bow tie has a one-of-a-kind pattern created by nature. If you are looking for a unique gift idea or an exceptional addition to your wardrobe, you’ve found it!  

    More facts about the cork oak

    Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree. It is harvested by hand using traditional methods between May and August when the tree is in its most active phase of growth. Cork production is considered a sustainable industry because the tree is not cut down or harmed to obtain its bark. Over the course of its 200+ year life span, the cork tree can be stripped of its bark up to 17 times. After harvesting, the tree’s capacity to absorb gases increases while its bark is regenerating; the more it is harvested, the more the cork tree protects the environment. It is estimated that every year cork oak forests retain up to 14 million tons of carbon dioxide, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

    Cork forests are a habitat for over 200 animal species and 135 plant species, some rare and endangered. Perfectly adapted for warm climates and arid soil, cork oak forests protect against erosion and desertification. They are barrier against forest fires, due to their weak combustion properties and play an important role in the regulation of the hydrological cycle. These forests are a perfect example of the balance between preserving the environment and sustainable development.

    The cork oak is an ancient tree and is believed to have survived the ice age over 25 million years ago. In ancient Greece, cork oaks were revered as a symbol of freedom and honour. In Portugal, the importance of the cork oak has been recognized for hundreds of years – it has been protected by law since the early 13th century!  

  • What are the sizes of your bow ties?

    Our adult bow ties are approximately 2.5“ (6 cm) tall and 4.75” (12 cm) wide. The bands are adjustable and fit 13” (33 cm) to 21” (53 cm) neck size.

    Our children’s bow ties are approximately 2” (5 cm) tall and 4” (10 cm) wide. Our toddler bow ties are approximately 2” (5 cm) tall and 3.5” (9 cm) wide. The bands for both the children and toddler sizes are adjustable and fit 8” (20 cm) to 15” (38 cm) neck size.

  • How is my bow tie packaged?

    Your bow tie will arrive packaged in a kraft coloured gift box.

  • How do I care for my bow tie?

    We recommend that our bow ties be dry cleaned.  

    The cork bow tie can be spot cleaned with water and mild soap.

  • Do you make custom bow ties?

    Absolutely! Please contact us with your ideas.

  • Do you offer volume discounts?

    Absolutely! We offer volume discounts for orders of 6 or more. Please contact us for details.

  • Can I get sample swatches?

    Absolutely! Please contact us with the name of the bow tie(s) that you are interested in. Cost is $5 for up to five 2″ x 2″ swatches.

    We do not provide swatches of cork.

  • When will my order ship?

    Order ship within 1-3 business days. You will receive an email once your order ships with a tracking number. Please allow up to 24 hours for the tracking number to be valid. If you have not received an email within 24 hours of placing an order please contact us at info@absolutelyknots.com. For larger orders (6 or more), please contact us for order processing times.

  • What are the shipping options, estimated delivery time, and fees for bow ties?

    For information on Face Mask shipping visit our shipping page.

    Canada

    All our orders are shipped via Canada Post Expedited Parcel. Free shipping is available Canada-wide on all orders over $65. For orders under $65, there is a flat rate shipping fee of $10. Delivery times range from 1 to 7 business days depending on your location. Please refer to our shipping page for information on estimated shipping times by province.

    USA

    Free shipping (Tracked packet via Canada Post, estimated delivery time is 4-7 business days) on orders over $99. For orders under $99, there is a flat rate shipping fee of $15 (Tracked packet via Canada Post, estimated delivery time is 4-7 business days).

    Other International Shipping

    Please contact us for shipping rates for other international destinations.

    You may be responsible for import duties and taxes on your international order. In addition, some orders may experience customs delays. Unfortunately, we have no control over these charges or delays and cannot predict what they may be. We suggest that you contact your local customs office for additional information.

  • Can I change quantities or cancel an item that I ordered?

    If you have not yet received an email confirming that order has shipped, contact us as soon as possible at info@absolutelyknots.com. If your order has not yet been shipped, we will gladly update your order.

  • Do you offer refunds or exchanges?

    Not your style? No problem.

    To initiate a return or exchange, please place a return request within 10 days of receipt of your product, by emailing us at info@absolutelyknots.com to obtain a return authorization before shipping your bow tie back to us. Please provide your name, phone number, purchaser’s name/email address, and order ID. We will provide you with a return authorization within 48 hours.

    Products must be returned within 30 days of purchase, unused and in the original packaging. Please include your name and order number and mark returned package as ‘RETURNED GOODS’. This helps us avoid unnecessary custom charges and speeds up the returns process.

    The cost of returning an item to us is your responsibility. We recommend you use registered delivery and keep a receipt as we cannot accept responsibility for orders that are lost or damaged in transit by a third party.

    Returned goods will be exchanged or refunded (the shipping / customs / duties costs incurred are not refundable). For exchanges, please note you will be responsible for any price difference of the new bow tie.

    Custom bow ties are not refundable or exchangeable since they are made to order.

  • Is my information and email kept confidential?

    Absolutely! All personal information is secure and kept confidential. Names and emails are not shared with any third party. See our privacy policy.