Bow Ties: History and How to Style

When you think of formalwear, you think bow ties. While they’ve fallen in and out of mainstream fashion over the years, bow ties remained one of the most consistent fashion accessories for special occasions — and for good reason.

Bow ties are versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down based on the texture, pattern, and how you style them. Read more below about how they became such popular accessories for men, as well as advice on how to style them today.

History

The modern bow tie first rose to prominence in the mid-19th century as a modified version of a cravat, which was popular among British and European military and aristocrats.

Bow ties have always been seen as a way to distinguish oneself among the crowd, as it was common among those with upper-class professions in the early 20th century. Today, there are countless ways to casually wear a bow tie with different patterns and materials, but it is most commonly associated with black tie and formal events.

Different Styles

The type of bow tie you wear can be determined by the formality of the event or the specific look you’re trying to achieve. At The Tie Bar, our more popular bow tie colorways are offered in each of these styles, so it’s important to know the difference between each one.

Self-Tie

Being able to tie a bow tie is of the utmost importance if you want to look and feel your best while wearing a bow tie. We offer all of our bow ties in a Self-Tie option, with an adjustable strap that can fit any neck size.

Check out our guide on How to Tie a Bow Tie.

Pre-Tied

If you don’t know how to tie a bow tie or don’t want to have to think about tying a bow tie every day, we offer many of our styles with a Pre-Tied option. While this might not have the same charm as a tie you’ll knot yourself, it will be a reliable and always clean option for any event.

Our Boys Bow Ties are offered as a clip-on option, making someone’s first tie easy to take on and off.

Diamond Tip

Instead of having flat ends to create the classic bow tie shape, a Diamond Tip Bow Tie has pointed edges so that, when tied, the accessory creates an almost diamond shape.

While this is certainly a less common option, the unique style is refined and could set you apart from other party guests or friends — and could even be a conversation starter.

Oversized, XL, & Butterfly

Our Oversized, XL, and Butterfly Bow Ties harken back to classic, vintage style from the 50s and 60s. These ties flair out at the edges more and can fill out the space between lapels a bit better.

When to Wear

As a Guest

We recommend you wear a bow tie for any wedding or party where the invitation reads “Black Tie” or “White Tie.” If the event is “Formal” or anything else, a bow tie is always an option, but it shouldn’t be an obligation.

For casual events or daytime dinner parties, a patterned bow tie — perhaps in linen or cotton — is always a fun way to spruce up an outfit and add some personality.

For weddings or formal occasions, a solid silk bow tie is usually a safe bet, but be sure to consider the theme or what the wedding party is wearing.

As a Groom

Your wedding day is your day, but it is often traditional for a groom to wear a bow tie when getting married. If you’re considering a bow tie, a solid black satin or grosgrain bow tie is always a safe bet. We recommend matching the fabric on the lapel of your tuxedo jacket.

If you want to coordinate with the wedding party, try to match the color of the bridesmaid dresses or get your groomsmen neckties that match the color of your bow tie. That way, you’ll all look united, while the groom still stands out.

EXPLORE BOW TIES