Bow tie for a tuxedo or suit

Let's try to forget about the tie for a while, what will we have left? The bow tie! Perhaps, when choosing an elegant suit, you were missing that little zest that you couldn’t find. Why not try a stylish accessory?

A man who wears a bowtie not only looks sophisticated, but also, without a doubt, will pass any dress code, even to a reception with the Queen. No kidding. In England, a so-called “White-tie” dress code is required, where a man must wear a tailcoat with a white bow tie in order to receive a reception from the Queen of Great Britain.

However, a man who decides to wear a bow tie in ordinary, everyday life must be prepared for increased attention from others. In our offices it is customary to wear ties, but a bow tie is already exotic. You will have to step out of your comfort zone and show a little courage, then you will definitely produce the desired effect.

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We present to you a guide to today’s fashionable accessory, where we will tell not only the history, but also the varieties of such an interesting men’s accessory.

When did the bow tie appear?

The history of the butterfly began approximately in the 17th century in Croatia, where this accessory was worn by military men or mercenaries. In its original form, the bowtie looked like a tie and was tied over the collar like a tie. We can say that a bow tie and a tie have common roots.

At one of the receptions of the French king, the upper classes highly appreciated the Croatian accessory and gladly adopted this idea, especially since the French were “ahead of the rest” in the field of fashion in those days. Thus, since then, two men's accessories have appeared: a tie and a bow tie. The latter were an integral part of the dress code or formal dress code at the turn of the century. By the beginning of the 20th century, the bow tie had become one of the main men's accessories, worn by all classes of the time. While the bow tie fell out of everyday fashion after World War II, it has nevertheless remained a familiar addition to formal dress codes to this day.

The last 3-5 years can be considered a bright moment in the history of the bow tie. Among the youth of the West, Russia and the CIS countries, he began to regain his former popularity. Even women, no, no, even appear with a stylish accessory. Today you can meet people who wear a bow tie to work, to a cocktail party, and even to a casual meeting with friends.

Varieties

Modern fashion has no restrictions on the combination of butterflies, colors and materials. But any product looks impressive, a black classic butterfly or an ultra-fashionable one made from natural wood. They differ from each other in shape and fastening. The main types are:

Butterfly – a classic with standard parameters of 6.5 cm;
Large Butterfly – a variation of the enlarged type, parameters 8.5 cm;
Modified butterfly – with an enlarged bridge between two parts and many folds on the formed knot;
Batwing - with special wings similar to a bat.

The main varieties are:

Samovyaz. It is made in the form of a figured ribbon, stretched under the collar at the back, forming into a beautiful knot in front. The owner does this process independently. Although this work is painstaking, only such butterflies require the rules of etiquette for special occasions.
Ready node. Products with a ready-made knot already leave the factory. The owner only needs to distribute the accessory evenly and fasten it under the collar. This option is very convenient, since you don’t have to work on making a tie. But, they are more suitable for everyday organizations, rather than for special occasions.
With locking clip. These products also have a ready-made assembly. On the reverse side there is a special fastener, thanks to which the bow tie is fastened. There are small hooks on the ends that allow you to secure it evenly to your shirt. They are recommended to be worn mainly on children's parties.

Advice! It is recommended to know in advance how to tie a butterfly so that the knot turns out beautiful. Otherwise, just before the exit, only a few manage to complete this process quickly and beautifully.

What's the difference between Self-Tie, Pre-Tied and Clip-On bow ties?

There are several types of bow tie fastenings and clasps. Let's list them:

The Self-Tie Bow Tie

The Self-Tie Bow Tie
The classic type of bow tie is a simple ribbon of fabric with a slight thickening at the edges, which you need to tie yourself. In the West it is also called “freestyle”, i.e. "free". As a rule, a bow tie knitted by hand, without any tools, has the greatest charm and personality.

In addition, at the end of the evening, gentlemen sometimes untie the bow tie and simply hang it around their neck, it looks very cool. This is what they do in the movies, for example, actor George Clooney or Pierce Brosnan, you can watch it at your leisure. But first, I advise you to practice tying a bow tie beautifully. To learn how to tie a men's accessory, look at this diagram.

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The Pre-Tied Bow Tie

The next type is the pre-tied bow tie. As the name suggests, the bowtie is already tied for you. The size can be easily adjusted to your neck and fastened to the collar in a few seconds. Disadvantages of a pre-tied bow tie include the knot and aspect ratio being too perfect.

Any man who is more or less knowledgeable about butterflies can easily distinguish a butterfly pre-tied at a factory from one that was tied independently. However, if you do not want to be known as a fashion expert and a dandy at a party, this bow tie option is always suitable for a beginner.

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The Clip-On Bow Tie

The third type of bow tie attachment is called “clip-on”, or Clip-On in English. This butterfly is already knitted at the factory, but instead of a long ribbon that wraps around the neck, a metal clasp with hooks is used on the collar section. This type of bowtie is usually worn by small children.

Size

the tie should match the physique of its owner: broad-shouldered men should opt for a wider tie, and thin men should opt for a narrower one. In addition, the width of the tie should match the width of the lapel of the jacket. A classic tie should end at the level of the trouser belt buckle and be wide enough.

The butterfly also needs to be chosen according to its width: its edges should not extend beyond the boundaries of the face and it should not be wider than the collar of the shirt. If the collar of the shirt is long and has straight ends, the bow tie should be large, but if the collar is soft, semi-turned down, the tie should be medium in size.

How to choose a bow tie for yourself?

Determining the size of a bow tie is easy. The fact is that self-tied butterflies are made almost the same size, to fit any neck. If we are talking about pre-tied bow ties, then they can easily be adjusted in length using sliders or hooks on the ribbon.

To easily adjust the size to suit you, take any thread or ribbon and wrap it once around your neck. Make exactly the same distance on your butterfly, adjusting it as needed. The average length of a butterfly strap is 37 – 44.5 cm. Try putting the butterfly under your collar and fastening it. The butterfly should not choke you, but it should not fall in all directions either. Find the “sweet spot” by slightly increasing or decreasing the length of the butterfly.

Material

Ties are made from silk, jacquard, satin, wool, and sometimes from cotton, tweed, viscose, linen, even cashmere. There are also original knitted models that fit well into casual styles and go well with jeans.

Butterflies are most often sewn from taffeta, brocade, and jacquard. But sometimes you come across completely unexpected and therefore interesting solutions - for example, wooden or plastic bow ties, which are now in increasing demand.

And yet, when is it better to wear a bow tie?

Now that you have chosen your best bow tie, the question will arise: - “When can I wear it and for what?”, “What to wear with a bow tie?”, “What color should the bow tie be?” and so on. Let's figure it out.

Bow tie and formal dress code

One of the most common occasions when you can see men wearing a bow tie is a formal event. The most famous dress code is the so-called “Black Tie”. This definition fits: a black tuxedo, a white shirt and a black bow tie. In addition, you must wear a vest or a special belt called a “cummerbund”.

Another type of dress code is “White Tie”. We can say that the expression “in full dress” is suitable for this dress code, since it is the most formal and strict dress code. So, you will need: a white self-knitted bow tie (only this type, no fasteners), a black tailcoat and a white shirt. This is not a very common dress code, but it does exist and you need to be aware of it.

Semi-formal dress code and bow tie

A semi-formal dress code does not have such strict rules as a formal one, so there is room for experimentation. Try experimenting with different colored bow ties, different patterns and prints. A bow tie made of tweed or velor will add positivity to your look and emphasize your individuality.

Keep in mind that some may not appreciate you in a classic business suit with a polka dot bow tie, however, even this look can be suitable for business. To enhance your style, accessorize with a pocket square. Rest assured, you will create a “Wow” effect in any setting and surrounding people.

Casual wear and bow tie

There are no boundaries or rules for casual style. This is where you can definitely go wild with your look and choose a bow tie to match it. Want to wear a plaid men's accessory with a colorful shirt and cardigan? No problem! Do you want to wear a flowered bow tie, with monograms or Turkish cucumbers under a summer linen suit? It is possible and even necessary! It's even better if you buy a bow tie made of wool, cotton or linen. You can support the casual look with various accessories, such as suspenders, colored socks, bright laces.

Have you ever seen a bow tie made of wood? Now they are at the peak of popularity among stylish young people.

Wooden bow tie with brown polka dot scarf for jacket

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