Well, for me anyhow.
Before mid-November of 2013, I had worn a bow tie about a grand total of three times, only one of which not involving a tuxedo.
Well, November was when I started wearing them at work on an occasional basis. The very first time I wore a very conservative "churchill dot" tie, and still felt rather self-conscious wearing it. I did, however, receive several compliments, so gained confidence. Ditto the next time. I could bring myself to wear one about once a week, on whatever day felt most "casual" ... not that a bowtie is more "casual" than a regular tie, but there's more "whimsy" in wearing one. So there ya go.
I picked up some more bow ties (from Le Noued Papillon, an Australian website that makes excellent bow ties) during their end-of-season sale, and now have quite the collection which I wear two or three times a week.
The feeling of self-consciousness has all but gone away. Yes, I felt "odd" wearing bow ties at first, as if anyone who looked at me was thinking ... and on the verge of saying to me ... "hey, why are you wearing that silly thing? You should wear a regular tie like the rest of us!" ... but that has passed: just a product of my over-active imagination, fueled by that self-consciousness.
I remember going through the same emotional progression when I started wearing three-piece suits sometimes, instead of always two-piece.
Ditto when I started wearing "real" hats.
So I'm going to keep wearing bow ties ... I even have plans to order one or three from Sam Hober, once I decide on a proper length.
2014: The Year of the Bow Tie.
Before mid-November of 2013, I had worn a bow tie about a grand total of three times, only one of which not involving a tuxedo.
Well, November was when I started wearing them at work on an occasional basis. The very first time I wore a very conservative "churchill dot" tie, and still felt rather self-conscious wearing it. I did, however, receive several compliments, so gained confidence. Ditto the next time. I could bring myself to wear one about once a week, on whatever day felt most "casual" ... not that a bowtie is more "casual" than a regular tie, but there's more "whimsy" in wearing one. So there ya go.
I picked up some more bow ties (from Le Noued Papillon, an Australian website that makes excellent bow ties) during their end-of-season sale, and now have quite the collection which I wear two or three times a week.
The feeling of self-consciousness has all but gone away. Yes, I felt "odd" wearing bow ties at first, as if anyone who looked at me was thinking ... and on the verge of saying to me ... "hey, why are you wearing that silly thing? You should wear a regular tie like the rest of us!" ... but that has passed: just a product of my over-active imagination, fueled by that self-consciousness.
I remember going through the same emotional progression when I started wearing three-piece suits sometimes, instead of always two-piece.
Ditto when I started wearing "real" hats.
So I'm going to keep wearing bow ties ... I even have plans to order one or three from Sam Hober, once I decide on a proper length.
2014: The Year of the Bow Tie.