Bow Ties

A controversial one here team....
Bow ties.

Dr Who had a lot to do with bringing these back to the High Street. Previously they had been the preserve of the university don or a children's entertainer. For most men they only ever got worn with a dinner jacket, on your wedding day or an ambassadorial reception.....you know, because we all get invited to those.





The question is, how should they be worn as part of a day-to-day wardrobe, and how can they be integrated into an existing collection?
As with all accessories, it's about two things; context and confidence.

Context is key because it has to go with the rest of the outfit. This may seem obvious enough, but I saw a lad today wearing a shirt, tie, and tracksuit bottoms.........I kid you not! I had to do a double take.
Firstly, bow ties need to have an element of whimsy to them. However I must urge caution. Whimsy does not mean wacky. This poor soul took a very lovely outfit and ruined it by going too far with the bow tie.

A plain block-colour bow tie would have been perfect. Intstead, he looks ridicuolous. It's bordering on fancy dress territory. To be fair, judging by the background, he may actually be at an audition for a childrens TV presenter, so we shouldn't be too harsh.

This young man has the right idea.

The same trousers and pale blue shirt, but a far more subdued bow tie. The pattern on the tie is very close to matching his belt, but I don;t think that was intentional. The whole look is clearly very preppy, even down to the ruffled hair and clean shaven uber-jaw. That look suits the bow tie and you can't really go too far wrong with this style in any season.
It's also nice to see the lowest button of the cardigan left undone. Well done that man.

This final look is a bit more Mod inspired, but I like it.

OK, the jacket is a bit short and the trousers a bit tight, but the bow tie and pocket silk really pulls it together. Again. the bow tie is a simple colour so it isn't distracting. I also rather like the shoes.


The models here are, well, models so you would expect them to look confident. However if you decide to venture into the realm of bow tie wearing, make sure you have the resolve that goes with it. If a man is visably uncomfortable or nervous wearing it, it'll draw more attanetion to him and the bow tie and the whole image will fall apart faster than a sandcastle in a cyclon.

Like a good suit, a bow tie should look as if the wearer has put it on in the morning and forgotten about it. You don't need to swagger or be brash. Just convey an air of quite, dignified, self confidence.

There's a reason bow ties are synonymous with British men....