The Benefits of Bow Ties

Bow ties are an adventurous alternative to regular ties that can also be worn in casual contexts. Here?s why you should swap your tie for a bow tie.

Bow ties are more exciting than regular ties

Get some style

The big advantage of bow ties is that they look cooler than ties. If you want a formal outfit with personality, all you need to do is switch your dull long tie with a cute bow tie.

There?s no doubt that bow ties have sex appeal. Fred Astaire certainly would not have been such a snazzy dancer without his bow tie. ?Sexiest man on the planet? of 2012, David Beckham, is partial to donning a bow tie. Even the Playboy bunny has a distinctive bow tie.

A more practical advantage of bow ties is that they do not get in the way. Long hanging ties are prone to get caught in doorframes, flick back and hit you in the face if you?re outside and it?s windy, and you certainly don?t want to lean over any food platters whilst wearing a tie. But bow ties, being so neatly contained to your neck, do not suffer from any of these issues.

Bow ties are appropriate in any situation

You could wear a bow tie in nearly any context, and still look good. They are a formal accessory so fit in at weddings, cocktail parties and funerals – but you can also dress a bow tie down. A plain outfit of a shirt with skinny jeans is brought to life with the addition of a bow tie. You?ll look stylish and sharp, with not much effort. To illustrate just how versatile bow ties are, waiters at classy establishments often don bow ties, and even some fast food restaurants incorporate a bow tie into their uniform. You could add a bow tie to any outfit for any scenario, and chances are it?s an appropriate choice.

Types of bow tie

A regular bow tie consists of just a thin strip of material which you transform into a familiar bow by tying it yourself. There are few variations, but the differences you will encounter between bow ties comes down to the size of the bow and the shape of the ends. Some bow ties have pointed ends, which is a more unique look than regular square edge bow tie. There is some meaning attached to the appearance of each bow tie- for example, a thin tie is considered less formal. However, it all comes down to your personal preference and what size and shape suits you best – a bigger guy needs a bigger bow tie.

There is a technique to tying bow ties. If you are a regular bow tie wearer, it?s worth spending an afternoon watching YouTube tutorials and learning how to do it properly. However, for those less dedicated to their bow ties, you can be sneaky by wearing clip-ons which look almost like the real thing.

Some pre-tied bow ties include a neck band, whereas others exclude it and clip straight onto your collar. The latter are to be avoided, as the idea is to wear a clip-on bow tie which looks like a genuine bow tie. A neck band has no function for a clip-on bow tie, but is necessary to fool people into thinking you?re stylish enough to have tied your own bow tie.

Bow ties do not obey the rules of fashion

The cycle of being a must-have item to being a fashion faux pas has not claimed the bow tie. Bow ties are never in fashion, but they?re always stylish.