Attached is a photo of my father wearing his daily work attire. He
was a career civil servant who rose to be in charge of the Federal Budget
at Budget Bureau/OMB. He was known for his bow ties and my memory
is that he was the only one who wore them in the office. The picture
is from a morning when President Reagan stopped by his office just
to say hello. The office was in the OEOB to the right of the White House.
Ironically, though he had the most interaction with Reagan, my father
was a lifelong Democrat. He made sure that never was known
whomever the President was for politics never entered his work.
I also wear them and have found that people just assume that the wearer
is better dressed because of it.
Best Wishes,
Chris
I love the bow ties, and I love the notion that we might put aside our political associations/allegiances for the betterment of more people! I’m not sure there is a correlation, but as a bow tie wearer exclusively, I, for one, never let slip my political party either.
On some people bow ties look just fine and appropriate. On others, not so much.
OK, here’s one for you guys. I love bow ties; my father taught me to tie my own bow tie when I was 13. I’ve worn blue button-down shirts (they weren’t called OCBDs back in the day) since I was 12. I’ve never worn them together. Long ties with OCBDs. Bow ties with standard collars. What do you think?
That was a school of thought in the early eighties, and maybe earlier, but I wouldn’t know. My guess is this was probably because one doesn’t wear a BD with a tuxedo, so the “rule” was applied to the casual as well. The “rules” are by definition relaxed for the casual. Your practice is probably quite common.
I’ve always worn bow ties with OCBDs. If I’m wearing a tie, though, I’m wearing an OCBD. A few years ago I nearly bought a Mercer Button-less Button-down (http://www.mercerandsons.com/collar_styles.htm), but didn’t end up pulling the trigger. Don’t regret it. Nor do I regret switching from Mercer to Squeeze OCBDs. I prefer the Squeeze fit, collar, cuffs, and, last but not least, price. Tough to beat 3 for $389, even if you, like me, are in NYC and have to pay the whopping 10% tax on clothing purchases that exceed $100. Wonder how Paul Winston avoids charging that tax. God bless him.
The key with wearing a bow tie is NEVER tie it wider than your cheek bones other wise you look like a clown
Regarding the question of bow ties with a ( I think the writer meant straight collar). To me bow ties are for OCBD’s and definitely with a sport coat. Love how the roll looks with an OCBD when wearing a bow tie. I even wear a OCBD pink with my black grosgrain Peak Lapel Tux with the grosgrain black bow tie. To me that is IVY Casual but formal.
Michael
I think you have your own style. If it makes you happy stick with it. Some wear bows with both collars. I prefer bows with BDs, but that’s what makes me happy. Sadly men wering bows are like unicorns these days.
Mac, according to the men’s clothier Google & Sons, less than one percent of men can tie a bow tie. For reasons they could not explain, two percent of unicorns can tie a bow tie.
When I wear a bow tie, it’s the “star” of my outfit; a light blue shirt and the bow tie. That’s it. When I wear an OCBD, the shirt is the star. A bow tie on an OCBD is like two A-list stars in a movie. Who gets top billing?
Truth be told, most women of a certain age find a man wearing a bow tie very attractive.
Those who say they cannot tie bowties may not know it, but they are probably wrong. Tie it just as if you were tying your shoes. You probably do not try to tie your shoes by looking in a mirror. Once the bow is made, simply trim it with a few obvious tugs and twists (the mirror is not even needed for this part).