Thread: Bow ties

I think it's worth seeing if this thread can be re-invigorated. I have been wearing a bow tie to work lately; my one and only bow tie bought for my son's wedding. I always get what SEEM like positive comments; "Oh, a bow tie, how gorgeous" (from a female coworker) "I like your bow tie. Really. You can pull it off; some guys can't" (from a male coworker).

I realise some see them as nerdy and too flamboyant, but I actually like a bow tie I think more tyhan a normal tie; that flops every where. I have; though, been using a vintage tie tack lately and also have a shirt with pin collar holes and like the look of the collar bar.

Anyway, bow ties are quite hard to buy here in Adelaide; one shop has quite a nice range, but nothing like the online shop The Tie Bar Ties | Mens Ties | Discount Neckties | Silk Neckties | Mens Silk Neckties | Extra Long Ties | Bow Ties | Cufflinks | Pocket Squares | Wool Ties | Cotton Ties which have very nice tie like the one below. Postage is stupid though; 25 bucks!

I'm wondering how hard it really is to tie a bow tie, my current one is pre-tied.

Just do a Google search I am sure you will find somewhere that has an instructional on tying them, pre tied bows are for putting on the heads of girl babies.

Yes. Yes, Ed. I've heard tell of Google, and how one can 'look stuff up'. I was hoping for a conversation...

I wear one every now and again.
Not too difficult to tie, it is actually the same knot as a shoelace, just a bit awkward doing it in the mirror the first couple of times, in that respect a bit like shaving with a straight razor.

You can learn to tie them. Here's a tip: make sure your hands are clean and moisturized first. A "raspy" dry hand scrapes a the bow tie, fuzzying up the surfaces and detracting from that clean, bow-tie look.

Bonus fact: a bow tie never slops into the sink when you wash hands or brush teeth.

Sorry carl, nightshifts make me ornery (I think I have the meaning right, but i do like the word ), i reckon mick knows and if we ask him nicely he might post a few piccies.

I must admit I have never tried to pull off a bow tie, although I used to wear one as part of a uniform it was far from classy.

Geek

A thread worth resurrecting, even for one post.

I frequently go to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, and "Derby Wear" often dictates a bow tie. I have never really been a fan. For all my years in business, I always wore neckties, never once a bow tie.

However, I did learn to tie a bow tie when I was in my 20s after attending many black tie events. Lately, I've been going to horse racing venues that are more than your average run-of-the-mill races. They have been more of a special venue party. And of course, there is a lot of "Derby Wear". Over the last 25 or so years, I have amassed a large collection of bow ties, that I think I will start wearing. Of course, I have horse racing motif bow ties, but I also have standard dress bow ties.

I don't care for the larger "Butterfly" bow ties that really have large faned out ends. These tend to look a little clownish to me, so I prefer the smaller elegant end bow ties or even straight or pointed bow ties. Some of my collection just for kicks;

Staight bow ties have been a bit difficult to find. I got these 2nd hand from an online men's high fasion forum;



Some I have not even broken the packaging on yet;



Derby Wear ties, 1 bow 1 standard necktie;



An example of what I consider too "Butterfly". Although this tie looks great with a blue blazer and khakis on a white or light blue shirt, it is too clownish for my taste when dressing up. This bowtie yields a very large (IMO) comical bow, although for very large men, these may work;

Very cool Zip! Good to see you back!

When it comes to wearing a tie, I always like to be the guy "going against the grain" and wearing a bow tie.

At a family wedding last fall, I was asked by the bride if I could find and wear a bow tie with flamingos.

She also required the groom and all the guys in the wedding party wear a bow tie and insisted that none of them be pre-tied.

When it came time, none of the young bucks had a clue how to tie them, so I had to help and get them all tied and looking good.

Needless to say, she was thrilled.

There were a lot of comments on how cool the ties were and how good they looked.



Pete <:-}

Thanks, Pete. And a very nice story.

I really never paid bow ties much attention until I started going to Churchill Downs for the Derby and other venues there and at special functions at other tracks. So many men dress in Bow Ties for Derby Wear. I got used to it, and started to collect them myself.

If that's you in your picture, that's a really handsome bow, tied to look "correct". The whole ensemble could be posted in the men's fasion forum I used to frequent. As you well know, you don't want it to look like a pre-tied bow. It has to have character. Nicely done, sir. I am actually wearing a bow tomorrow to lunch at a club I belong to. I think it's time to start being like you and going a bit against the grain.

-Zip