Bow Ties

[Wally_Hood]

It has come to my notice that I am using the word "complement" in the place of "compliment," the latter meaning to offer praise or admiration. I regret the error and trust that the sensibilities of the Fedora Lounge were not scandalized.

 

[Nobert]

Several years ago I was sitting in a bar and ran into a woman who I had seen out several times. We talked for a bit, then ended up smooching before she left. I didn't see her again for a week, then we met again in the same bar and sat in a booth. We both agreed that we didn't want to make too much of one tipsy kiss, but were intrigued.

I happened to be wearing a bow tie that day, and she asked me, "Is that a real bow tie?" I probably said something to the effect that I don't do clip-ons. She leaned over and kissed my neck and said, "That's for knowing how to tie a real bow tie." That was the beginning of a three-year relationship, the dissolution of which had nothing to do with neckwear.

 

[David Conwill]

For some reason, Nobert's story made me think of James Bond. They say Daniel Craig had to be taught how to drive a manual transmission for the latest films. One wonders if he also needed to be taught to tie a bow.

-Dave

 

[Wally_Hood]

Today's Bow Tie Friday saw a brown suit, yellow shirt, and Blackwatch bowtie, with a pair of refurbished Cole-Haan tassled loafers. Was told I looked dapper, and another co-worker, spotting me as we passed in the hall, laughed and allowed as how I looked pretty. Not my goal, but accepted it in the spirit in which it was given...

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I did see some "pretied" at Penney's last week. I also saw proper tie-them-yourself bow ties at Macy's AND Nordstrom. The latter has always had them, albeit it pricier and usually not in designs that classic. I did notice the Nordstrom price had jumped from $39 to $59 since Christmas. Perhaps all of that is a sign of an upsurge in sales. I haven't checked Brooks Brothers lately but they, at least for the last few years, seem to have the same patterns. That's, in some ways, good in that the patterns are all pretty timeless.

 

[KD5NRH]

I like them because they stand out while still looking professsional, and people remember them. Comes in handy for some things.

 

[TCMfan25]

I always wear Bow Ties, excluding special instances, I think they have a charm about them that you can not achieve with a "power tie". For cheap yet quality Bow Ties your can snoop around antique shops, I must have three or four 1930's style bowties (diamond pointed edges) from my local antique dealers. I also recommend TheBowtieClub.com they have great paisleys, floral, and dots you can also pick your style (I recommend DP Standard). Macy's and Nordstroms have a good selection of Countess Mara Bow Ties. If you can spend money I certainly recommend Drakes London Bow Ties.

 

[TCMfan25]

PS Never wear pre tied Bow Ties! They make you look like an infant at a wedding!

 

[Wally_Hood]

Bow Tie Friday was another success- blue suit, white button down collar shirt, and reddish bow tie, one with a rather busy pattern. Several congrats on the tie, and even a greeting as "Mr. Bow Tie Friday." Again, same suit, same shirt, worn many times before, but add a bow tie and folks smile and make with the compliments.

 

[Auld Edwardian]

I switched to wearing real freestyle bow ties almost exclusively about twenty years ago. And yes, I agree that they are not for everyone, and require a more self-assured type of personality. They do have the advantage of never being out of style, and one has to try very hard to get food stains on them, not that I am suggesting that one should ever eat like a savage on any occasion. However be warned, they can prove dangerous in an office setting. I once was having lunch with several co-workers when one of the ladies reached across the table and grabbed my tie thinking it was a clip on expecting to whip it off. She ended up pulling me halfway across the table and untied my tie in the process. At this point she exclaimed “You tie it, I though it was a clip on!” I dryly replied that that is why they are called a bow tie, and that clip on bow ties should be reserved for busboys and cashiers. Furthermore no true gentleman that has any self respect wears a clip on bow tie. Even my eight-year-old son wears freestyle bow ties, and has since he was two. Needless to say I still tie them for him, but he does try and will get there one day. For those wishing to give it a go, get a good tie from Brooks Brothers or Ben Silver as a firmer made tie is easier to learn with before getting thinner silk ties which are harder to tie and get to look neat.

 

[Espee]

I appreciated hearing "dapper" the first few times, but then I started wishing people had a secondary word they could mix in once in a while.
Then I heard this in a radio show from about 1940-- "Gracie, doesn't George look dapper?" -- "Oh, no, he's much too old to wear dappers!"
(Maybe eventually, he went back to them...)

 

[scottyrocks]

It took me a while to get around to learning how to tie one of these, but I think I did a good job, and I love the look.

 

[SGT Rocket]

That is a great look, Scottyrocks.

 

[tophatman]

This may surprise some of you but I happen to be a teenager that typically dresses very formally. I wear bow ties every now and again but I typically wear neckties. When I do wear bow ties I usually play it safe and wear a black one.

 

[scottyrocks]

That is a great look, Scottyrocks.

Thanks, SGT. I'm gonna go back to the site I bought this one from and buy some more in some different patterns. I'm diggin' the whole thing!

 

[TCMfan25]

This may surprise some of you but I happen to be a teenager that typically dresses very formally. I wear bow ties every now and again but I typically wear neckties. When I do wear bow ties I usually play it safe and wear a black one.

A fellow formal teenager! In the realm of neckwear I am opposite to you, I wear bow ties the majority of the time, and neckties occasionally. You need to expand your "bowmind", there are some great and safe floral patterns, very safe and conservative stripes, small white polka dots on colour is very nice, and paisley when paired with the right things looks great! IF you take my advice go for diamond point bow ties, they look vintage (or are vintage) and are much more sophisticated and elegant.

Great to find that another teenager in this world likes old things!

 

[James Pressley]

I put on a bow tie 20 years ago for the first time. Just really as a curiosity. I have yet to take it off. I wear a bow far more than a regular tie and have this statement.

If you wear a bow with authority and know how to tie one... Few people if ANY at all will have the nerve to make a negative comment. Course... I'm 6'1" 250lbs...

And my advice to those who want to try a bow tie. Get a very good quality tie like Southern Proper or R Hanuer. If you don't spend the money on a bow it will never look good.

 

[James Pressley]

Bow ties are generally adjustable until you get to the very expensive custom made ones. But Southern Proper, R Hanuer, and the rest of the mid range bow group are adjustable.

 

[Tomasso]

I put on a bow tie 20 years ago for the first time....... I have yet to take it off.

You might want to call the people at the Guinness Book of Records..........

 

[David Conwill]

I’m not familiar with Southern Proper or R Hanuer; but I would recommend the Brooks Brothers “346" bows to anybody who was thinking about starting. They’re more expensive than the first ties I bought, but they tie up very well.

-Dave