The Bowtie: Where has it gone?

[pianoman]

This seemed like the appropriate place to write this, as I'm sure my girlfriend has heard enough about me going on and on about bowties.

Usually when we think of bowties, we think of the 90 year old lawyer who was personal friends with Abe Lincoln, or a birthday clown sporting an oversized one. I get ridiculed for mentioning that I will, on occasion, wear a bowtie. The fact is, I relish the occasions on which I get to don one. While the ridicule is often unsurprising, the fact that most men don't own one is disappointing. That the majority of those who do own one have pre-tied clip-ons is lamentable. Bowties aren't the exclusive domain of the dweeb: they can add a level of dapper that stands out in a way that the necktie just can't. Maybe it's on account of the fact that it's such a rare sight, but it is decidedly more formal in nature.

The truth is that tying a bowtie is pretty simple.
I think the supposed difficulty of the knot is what turns guys away from the bowtie as a wardrobe option. What might surprise you to learn (as it turns out with most people I tell) is that it's actually the shoelace knot we tie everyday. Well... not the "bunny ears" version... the other one. The risk in tying your bowtie is that a poorly tied one simply looks ridiculous. (My personal opinion is that a clip-on is the only worse way to wear one.) You can hide a poorly done necktie end by buttoning your jacket if it's too short or tucking it into your pants if it's too long. Not so with a bowtie. It takes a number of attempts to get the subtleties of tying a bow around you neck, but a well done tie always looks better than a pre-tied clip on. The knot is fatter, looks more natural, and quietly announces to anyone who might notice that, yes, this guy knows how to tie one - and he didn't buy it at the costume shop. Practice makes perfect, and perfect looks pretty damn good if you ask me.

Bowties aren't meant for everyday occasions - you will (and should) be mocked mercilessly for showing up to the cubicle in a bowtie. Save it for the Christmas party.

Anyway, the long and short version of this post comes down to this:

The next time you're planning to go attend a formal event, Christmas party or wedding, please consider rocking a bowtie.

[OldSaw]

Love the bow tie.

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Pianoman:
Check out the below Thread, Poll and Posted Replies. :-)

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=184450

Christopher

[Xman74]

I give kudos to the man that dons a bowtie. It takes balls. However...

I think the supposed difficulty of the knot is what turns guys away from the bowtie as a wardrobe option.

I actually believe it to be the fact that most men perceive it to look ridiculous. Seriously. It does.

It's kinda like a hair piece. A certain category of men wear one and think they look awesome. But the truth of the matter is they look silly. (My statement is not intended as an insult to you, so please don't take it that way.)

Is a bowtie distinctive? No doubt. But I think (hope?) the vast majority of men will never, ever, ever consider a bowtie as an acceptable accessory (except at your grad / wedding).

[pz93c]

Bow ties are cool.

[BRuhling]

I have a few bowties in my wardrobe, and enjoy wearing them to court on occassion. Of course, the seersucker suit and bowtie are still considered de rigueur at times here in the Old Dominion of Virginia...

Bottom line, the bowtie can certainly add a distinctive flair to your wardrobe, particularly if you are confident enough to know that it is a classic fashion statement. I highly encourage you to have at least one in your wardrobe, know how to tie it well, and rock it like you mean it!

[Greyfox]

I wear self tie bowties frequently. I am sure enough in who I am that I could care less what the general consensus is from folks who are not confident enough to carry them off.

[commanderkeen]

Oh, the bow tie is still around. I have two in my closet. I just won't wear them unless I have a tux on, and at this moment in time, I don't own a tux, so I don't see it happening in the near future. I think a bow-tie should be reserved for balls, wedding and other highly formal events, not for everyday use. Maybe, and this is the only exception I allow, maybe for an older gentleman who fits the style of the bow-tie, but even then, the people who fit that category are only a few.

[GrooveDachshund]

I give kudos to the man that dons a bowtie. It takes balls. However...



I actually believe it to be the fact that most men perceive it to look ridiculous. Seriously. It does.

It's kinda like a hair piece. A certain category of men wear one and think they look awesome. But the truth of the matter is they look silly. (My statement is not intended as an insult to you, so please don't take it that way.)

Is a bowtie distinctive? No doubt. But I think (hope?) the vast majority of men will never, ever, ever consider a bowtie as an acceptable accessory (except at your grad / wedding).

I'd have to agree; 99% of people who wear bow ties think they look like this:


When really they look like this


Most people can't make a bowtie look good; they just end up looking silly, which is fine, but most people don't want to look silly.

[Crixus]

Ever notice when the majority of illustrators want to portray someone as either a doofus or a fuddy-duddy they outfit them with a bow tie?

Although I feel they should be reserved for formal wear, I am not passing judgement. But the "perception" stigma is hard, if not impossible, to overcome.

[mretzloff]

I think the thing is that only a few can pull it off correctly. Most men, myself included, look ridiculous with bow ties on.

[Demented]

I much prefer a bow-tie and have 6, the 2 neck ties owned get little use. Take a look at Beau Ties.

[Doc4]

My comments do not apply to black-tie-white-tie (semi)formal bowties, but to bowties worn in any other context.

Ever notice when the majority of illustrators want to portray someone as either a doofus or a fuddy-duddy they outfit them with a bow tie?

I give kudos to the man that dons a bowtie. It takes balls. However...

I actually believe it to be the fact that most men perceive it to look ridiculous. Seriously. It does.

Remember how in elementary school if you wore certain items of clothing you were cool, and if you wore other certain items it was a tacit invitation for everyone to beat you up at recess?

The bowtie is the grown man's version of item #2.

See all the comments about how much confidence you need to pull off the look? It's 'cause you know it's 'that look', and the only kid who could wear a turtleneck sweater to school without getting beaten up was the kid everyone knew was the toughest mo'fo' in the fifth grade. So if you can channel that vibe ...


The only man who can beat up Chuck Norris, is Chuck Norris wearing a bowtie.

[pianoman]

Thanks for the replies guys, and yes, can't agree more. The bow tie can make you look like the less cool version of bill nye the science guy (apologies to bill nye fans out there.) One thing I see that constantly looks terrible is when guys choose large bowties, it's like wearing a wide tie à la 1970s game show host....

On another note, the Daniel Craig/Ernie picture comparison nearly made me spit out a coffee.

[AZShaver]

I only have 3, one for formal. I was wearing one at work last week, one of my associates said it reminder her of George Gobel. I can barely remember his tv show.

[djboring]

I wear them a couple of times a month, particularly to church. There is something quite enjoyable about knowing that you will be the only person in a place dressed the way that you are. The feedback that I've gotten from a wide variety of people is overwhelmingly positive.

There are certainly a few commandments regarding bowties - they should always be worn with a suit or a sport coat (which goes a long way towards preventing the Urkel connotation, or looking like a waiter), they must be self tie, and it should not be a solid color unless it's worn with a tux. They are by nature a conservative item, so I try not to buy ones that are too flashy. Most importantly, they should be worn with confidence; bowtie haters can smell fear.

[DFrancis]

It depends on how you want to be perceived, I think bowties add a studious look. And like has been mentioned, they're also cool.

[Ethan.Bassist.]

You wear a bowtie? Chump!

Only kidding. I think it's the fact that they are worn in two situations (In my experience): A very formal event (wedding, VERY fancy date), or if you're a hipster with your tweed coat and herringbone patterned shirt. See above, lol. Oh, plus lame mustache.

That's my take on the matter. I have ties (could use more, I really only have one favourite, the rest are wide ties... I like skinny) but don't have bow ties. No need at the moment.

[sirslick]

I wear a suit and normal tie for work everyday; however at special occasions in Lodge and weddings and such like I will bring out the evening tails, and white self tie bow tie, all the other chaps there wear pre tied and look at me in some sort of awe.
I wouldn't class myself as old, I'm only 36, but there is being smart, and there's being SMART !

Tie your own !

[tvldatsi]

unfortunately my generation has placed the bow tie in the same category as mustaches and suspenders: novelty. you will get looks all day like people don't know whether to laugh or not, it's really a shame, they are not just for clowns...