For quite some time, bowties were the domain of stuffy college professors, grooms and prom-goers in rented tuxes, and any fictional character designed to be a nerd. Professor Indiana Jones wears a bowtie in the classroom, distinguishing his academic persona from his tough, treasure-hunting side. Bill Nye the Science Guy was rarely seen without a bright patterned, red, or yellow bowtie peeking out from beneath his lab coat. But when did bowtie wearing shift from older, distinguished intellectuals to the general public, including the trendiest twenty-somethings?
In 2005, The New York Times ran an article focusing on a then-rising conservative commentator’s neckwear choice: the bowtie. At that point, sources referred to the accessory as annoying, provoking, and definitely not in style. However, four years later in 2009, Karen Civil observed a bowtie “epidemic” among celebrities, mentioning Chris Brown’s appearance on Larry King Live in a blue bowtie. In 2010 Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article declaring that bowties were back beyond the rich and famous, too, noting that younger consumers were showing an increased interest. This article gave partial credit for the bowtie’s resurgence to professional athletes such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
In Britain, The Telegraph credits Dr. Who’s Matt Smith with sparking the bowtie trend in 2010, noting that one clothier aimed at a Who-watching demographic saw its bowtie sales rise by 94%. Smith’s character frequently asserts the coolness of bowties, and young men in both Britain and the US seem ready to agree.
Early experimenters in the return of the bowtie pled that they were wearing the pieces “ironically,” but it can be safely said that bowties have been worn by many trendsetters in all seriousness. George Bulanda noted that appearances of celebrities such as Jude Law and Ashton Kutcher enhanced the credibility of the bowtie. Darren Chris’s character from Fox’s Glee deserves some mention as a pioneering bowtie wearer, and Justin Timberlake has embraced the bowtie trend as well. When members of the hit boy band One Direction started sporting bowties, they were bound to be noticed as well.
Connotations of the Bowtie
Many fashion observes have linked the bowtie to non-conformity and individualism. This is likely due to the ties’ relative rarity throughout the later part of the 1900s. Someone who wore a bowtie was perceived to be bucking a trend or intentionally separating himself from the masses. Now that bowties have regained popularity, is this still the case? Commentators still agree that choosing a bowtie over a traditional tie indicates a willingness to take a fashion risk. Many wearers note that bow ties often serve as conversation starters, and that they receive far more comments than a long tie.
If you have ever wanted to give bowtie wearing a try, now is the time. Whether you want to make a statement or simply try something new, you’ll be in good company in a bow tie.
The Slim Tie Story
If you've picked up a magazine or even been out and about lately, you've likely noticed that skinny ties are back. For many men over sixty, this brings back vivid memories of the 1960s, when skinny neck ties were all the rage, and slightly younger men might flash back to the 1980s. But this accessory's history goes back even further. It has been reinvented many times, and likely will be many more.
When Do You Need Long Ties, XL Ties, or Large Ties?
Most men may assume that an extra long tie is only necessary for men who are extremely tall or unusually rotund. However, 6’7” men aren’t the only ones whose style would get a boost from an XL tie. The men’s fashion community seems fairly united on the acceptable length for a neck tie, and a number of things could prevent your tie from reaching quite to that perfect zone.
Building a Quality Neck Wear Collection
Most men have a few ties in their closet, but many will come to a point where those three wrinkled, cheap neckties just won’t cut it anymore and a real neckwear collection is needed. Most likely, he has landed a new job where ties are part of the daily wardrobe. Whatever the reason, it’s time to begin building a collection of excellent neckties.
