Thread: Bow Ties

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?

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...

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

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...

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

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

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

Old thread, I know but I've recently fallen in love with the bow tie.
A writer that I used to work with often at Rosetta Stone wore one every day. Now that I'm in a position to look decent at work I've been moving more away from the super casual (polo shirt, etc). However I am frequently called to step in and get my hands dirty (cleaning, bathing/changing adults with disabilities) so a long tie is rather inconvenient. Plus a bow tie is a bit quirky these days and so am I...

Anyway, I just bought my first one. It's pretty traditional stripes in blue/white/yellow so it will match at least four of my dress shirts .
I found it at belk for 18.99 on sale.
It took me a while to get it tied. The last bit of the knot threw me off while I was trying to get the second part of the bow tied. I finally got it but struggled. Can any of you fellows recommend a good video/chart that clearly shows that last step?

Plus, I was the talk of all the residents (I manage a residential home for adults with intellectual disabilities) and my staff at work.