Once the domain of geeks young and old - from Steve Urkel to NCIS's Ducky – bowties are now spreading throughout men's fashion. So when is it appropriate to wear a bowtie?
When it's self-tied.
If you're going to rock a bow tie, you have to do it with as much style and commitment possible – that means bypassing the tacky, lazy pre-tied and clip-on types. Tying a bow tie is not a hard task to master (a couple of YouTube video clips and a bit of practice should do the trick) and once learnt, you can wear your new skill with pride.
When it's a special event.
And by 'special event' we certainly don't mean only bring the bowtie out for black tie events. We mean don't overdo it. It's a little bit like a perfectly aged whiskey - if you only have it on a certain few occasions, you'll appreciate it more and it'll mean more. Unless of course, you want to go all the way and be the guy known for his bowtie - in which case, this list probably isn't for you!
When it's refined.
The modern bowtie is all about refinement - there's no clowning about with overly large neckpieces and loud suits, but rather a subtle, yet quirky statement. Pair your bowtie with a muted, well-cut suit and the bowtie will have a much greater effect - without overdoing it.
When it's creative.
Bowties are just for suits. While keeping in mind the previous advice about refinement, a bowtie can be paired with a handsome cardigan or a nice shirt with jeans on its own. The geek chic of bowties leaves them open for a little bit of experimentation.
When the night's almost over - and yet still about to begin.
Let's face it, we've all seen an episode of West Wing, an Oscar's after party, or a James Bond movie, featuring a sauve, well-dressed man in a dress suit with an undone bow tie hanging down casually. They've already achieved so much – protected the America people, won an Academy Award, saved the world – but you know they're going on to do something (or someone) who'll be so much better than any of those other achievements. We know that we would kill to be that guy - and that, my friends, is why we should all try and wear a bow tie at least once. Just in case this happens.
Resource Box
click here: www.thetieboutique.com.au