Bow Ties

[AFDavis11]

I'm considering wearing a bow tie. I work for a very conservative consulting company though, and I'm worried about giving the wrong impression. I've been with my firm for seven years and I've seen one bow tie on one person. Many men typically wear suspenders though and dressing "old school" is very normal in this firm. Collar clips, French cuffs, tie tacks, etc. are very common.

I'm a little worried about looking silly. Bow ties are very colorful. I've found some conservative colors, but I'm still not sure I can pull this off. I don't particularly want to look like a clown. I was thinking I would tread the water slowly, maybe on a Friday, and see what happens.

Thoughts?

[LegalBeagle]

I wear a bowtie occassionally myself (even though SWMBO hates it). I don't think you need to worry about bucking the conservative trend in your firm. After all, Virginia courts are about as conservative as it can get and nothing is more classically Virginian than a seersucker suit with a bowtie.

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to dip a toe in the water, try www.thetiebar.com. You can pick up some very nice silk bowties for $15 there...

[AFDavis11]

Thanx! Yea, I needed that link too. I've seen them go for $50 around here. My wife is cool with it, so perhaps I'll have even less of a challenge. I've actually been told that bow ties should actually be more formal wear than a regular tie.

I will probably get one from this page/site too.

http://www.bows-n-ties.com/casual-bowties.php

[AFDavis11]

On the website you provided the ties are sometimes described as "self-tie". That means I tie them right? I don't want anything that is already tied.

[fpessanha]

A bowtie requires confidence because it has, in a way, fallen back into the murcky waters of past fashions. However, it is making a comeback. The trouble with bowties is that they tend to be very brightly coloured and "clownish". But a man that can pull that off is a man of great confidence. Go for it! Choose some quiet patterns and colours - don't go for the whole bells and whistles ties. Also, choose a size that looks relatively small on your body. Avoid the 70's sized bowties. I suggest navy blue with white small polka dots. Classic! Think... Churchill. With a bowtie like that you shall never surrender! Oh! and avoid the clip-ons! No point in using a bowtie if it is going to be a clip-on.

Just my two cents...

[niftyshaving]

I'm considering wearing a bow tie. I work for a very conservative consulting company though, and I'm worried about giving the wrong impression. I've been with my firm for seven years and I've seen one bow tie on one person. Many men typically wear suspenders though and dressing "old school" is very normal in this firm. Collar clips, French cuffs, tie tacks, etc. are very common.

I'm a little worried about looking silly. Bow ties are very colorful. I've found some conservative colors, but I'm still not sure I can pull this off. I don't particularly want to look like a clown. I was thinking I would tread the water slowly, maybe on a Friday, and see what happens.

Thoughts?

It depends on your neck and face balance, size of
the tie and color of the tie and skin tone....so...
If it works for you go for it.

I know a number of professionals that wear them
and one goes so far as to wear a red velvet tie and
it works for him.

[HNSB]

...I'm a little worried about looking silly...

I don't think too many people would call any of these guys silly:

[LegalBeagle]

On the website you provided the ties are sometimes described as "self-tie". That means I tie them right? I don't want anything that is already tied.

You are correct. If you're going to do it, do it right. None of this pretied shtuff...

[AFDavis11]

Thanx. I ordered two from the website you suggested. Funny how something unique can bring some excitment back into your life.

[LegalBeagle]

Outstanding. I have no affiliation with the website, but have a few of their ties and find them quite nice for the price. I'd love to see what you ended up getting, and hear how you like them...