Yes, I am about to endorse a bow tie with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle on it (the inimitable Michelangelo, no less). I’ll even suggest a stylish way to wear it by this post’s end. So before you call for my execution, here’s my brief, two part case for why we need more of this kind of thing.

1) Because they’re fastidiously hand made in T.O. by a talented designer named Keira Morgan, who told me she’s “literally obsessed with hand stitching.” Morgan says: “I taught myself to make skirts at 14, and I wore them until they fell apart. It wasn’t until 2008 that I started working with the two women behind Le Categon, who make hairbands for Holt Renfrew. There was a lot of ‘you need to fix that’ which really kept my eyes sharp for stitching perfection.” Also, because Morgan’s construction process is rather admirable — every accessory is “upcycled,” meaning Morgan finds vintage fabrics that weren’t being used to their full potential, then turns them into beautiful bow ties and neck ties. She’s done everything from upcycling a grandfather’s shirt into a keepsake bowtie for his grandson, to making ties from vintage velvet curtains.

2) Because sometimes, great style comes with adopting a counter-intuitive approach to dressing, and most importantly, with going outside of your comfort zone. And sure, wearing this (preferably with a muted grey blazer, a chambray oxford and some slacks) will certainly yield quizzical looks from your cohorts, but remember: it’ll be because deep down, they wish they had the cojones to take the same risks. Also, because the Ninja Turtles are awesome.

$65.91. Available online at Handsome & Lace’s etsy shop