Bow Ties

Go for the bow ties, man. I often wear one, and BKratchmer is dead-on: you WILL look dapper and well-dressed. Jos. A. Bank has nice conservative bow ties for about $50--but they often have sales, too, so you can get them for a good bit less. And let's not forget that traditionally, it's been a bow tie with a tux (black) or tails (white). The recent fad of wearing a long tie with a tux is just vulgar.

If you want to try different styles of bow ties--I mean the size and shape of the bow--take a look here: Mainebows.com

I ordered a black bowtie for my tux in the Classic with points--very nice.

Alan, every post I read of yours, I keep kicking myself for not hanging out with you more in Asheville!

Here in Atlanta, it is very common to see men wearing bow ties in professional settings. Almost everyday someone in my wife's law firm sports one. Properly tied and well matched to your outfit, they are about as conservative as it comes for the south.

I am no sartorial expert, but I do know this: no button down collar! Tab collars only!

-Rob

A grey flannel two button single breasted suit with a pale blue shirt, black belt and dress black shoes and a small unevenly tied blue polka dot (Churchill style) bow tie cannot be beaten.
One day I will be able ot dress like that...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fpessanha

A grey flannel two button single breasted suit with a pale blue shirt, black belt and dress black shoes and a small unevenly tied blue polka dot (Churchill style) bow tie cannot be beaten.
One day I will be able ot dress like that...

---

I've been reading quite a bit about the importance of adding "character" to a bow tie by tying it unevenly. I can only tell you that this likely isn't happening on my watch! Hopefully, I will be able to tie it near perfectly or it'll drive me crazy. I like the suit combo though.

I don't think you need to worry...Bow ties can go all the way from conservative to the outlandish. Just pick a conservative design, such as a Churchill dot or a Bismark dot and wear either with a white shirt and dark blue or black suit or sport coat ensemble. I think that both your boss and co-workers will be suitably impressed.

http://www.beautiesltd.com/index.php

If you are a bow tie fan you need to check out, The Cordial Churchman at, TheCordialChurchman — Custom Handcrafted Bowties

Ellie Laveer makes these wonderful bow ties by hand from a variety of fabrics, both contemporary and traditional. I have a brown houndstooth one she made me last year.

They are available as a tie it yourself, or she will tie it then stitch it so you can just slip it on. The pre-tied have a band that goes around the neck just as if you tied it yourself but with a small clasp to make it easy to put on and off.

She has a nice blog to go with the storefront too.

Tony

It's actually funny I was looking for a bowtie but didnt know which to get.

I was planning on wearing a grey/charcoal colored suit with matching vest for my wedding. I wanted a white French cuff shirt and to wear a bowtie but dint know what bowtie or what cuffs to get.

Can anyone give me a recommendation of what I should get?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fpessanha

A grey flannel two button single breasted suit with a pale blue shirt, black belt and dress black shoes and a small unevenly tied blue polka dot (Churchill style) bow tie cannot be beaten.
One day I will be able ot dress like that...

---

I have a gray flannel two button single breasted suit, a pale blue shirt, black button in suspenders. highly polished black wing tip shoes and a blue polka dot tie that I wear on occasion. I don't have the neck to pull off the bow tie, but I would wear one if I could. Sometimes I wear a salmon colored shirt and appropriate tie.

I also wear french cuffs many days. I think they look classic.

I know a very well known, highly paid Attorney that only wears bow ties. Many don't know his name, but they know the bow tie.

So, I've learned how to tie my bowties and I have a stable of 5 of them. I usually wear a bow tie one day a week. Things are going very well.

Bow ties have been well accepted. After I wore one a few weeks ago, my boss wore one a few days later. I usually get great comments and reactions from both men and women. The female reactions are usually the most noteworthy. The men often say something simple like, "How can I learn how to tie one of those?". I often get asked for lessons in how to tie the bow tie or comments from people telling me that my bow tie couldn't possibly be hand tied.

It's great fun. Additionally, bow ties seem to provide lots of freedom. Not having a tie dangling near my lunch has been a big benefit. I was able to find several ties that keep a very conservative appearance, though it was a challenge. I find I gravitate towards darker ties, or ties that match in VERY closely to the shirt color.

AFDavis,

Congrats on changing the corporate culture of your company.

I'm also pleased to hear that you've gotten the hang of tying a bow tie. Since there's only one knot to tie, I find that it is a lot easier to do so than your regular ties imho and all the various knots (Boston/four-in hand, half Windsor, full Windsor).

My experience is similar to yours. I always get compliments from my colleagues when I wear a bow tie to work. Mot recently I had a male colleague walk all the way down the hall to inform me that I was the "most dapper, well-dressed person in the building."

I have well over a dozen bow ties now--and climbing. My two favorite online establishments to purchase bow ties are the Bow Tie Club and Beau Ties of Vermont. They're ties are well-made and come in a variety of paterns and styles (butterfly standard and large as well as diamond point.)

Take care...