The Art of the Bow Tie

To learn the Art of the Bow-Tie can be a daunting task for any gentleman. First, you have to feel comfortable wearing it, but the real tough part is that you have to learn how to tie it. You can’t walk around with a clip on bow tie. It may take some time but you must learn how to tie a “Self-Tie” Bow-Tie. There are many different web images that can teach you how to do it. Here’s one I found from the back of an old beer coaster.

The King of Bow Ties

If you ask most people about bow ties, they think of waiters, pink shirts, weddings, the Hamptons, cummerbunds, plaid fabric, lameness and dudes that graduated from Harvard in the 50’s. I’m sure this cats thoughts about the dewey decimal system were fascinating, but wearing a bow tie around doesn’t mean you have to be a square.

Librarian of Congress and Harvard Grad Daniel Boorstin

The bow tie has been worn since the 17th Century by all different sorts of guys, for all different forms and functions. It was originally used to hold together the top of a mans shirt. Here’s one of the first forms of bow tie, the “Cravat” modeled by a Croatian solider employed by King Louis XIV.

Croatian Soldier

The bow tie’s popularity soon grew out of necessity to men in certain professions. Pediatricians used them so children would not be able to grab their necktie. Another example of form following function is the vintage gas station attendant. You can’t be draggin’ your necktie through peoples engine compartments while you’re checking the oil and the tire pressure but you can still look professional doing it.

Gas Station Attendant

Natually, once people with money to burn get into them, it became another accessory for formal dinners and events. The masters below have contributed and perfected the various styles of the Bow Tie through the years.