Should I wear a bow tie

You shouldn't be weeding your niece, you sicko

If you had to ask...don't. People who wear bow ties want to wear bow ties. They really enjoy wearing them as it shows their individuality or appreciation for something a little different. Some wear bow ties for practical reasons e.g. Doctors, waiters.

If you think you may feel awkward wearing a bow tie or self conscious because you don't wear one very often, then stick to a tie. Why let an article of clothing distract you from enjoying yourself.

However, if you are wearing a Dinner Jacket/Tux, I would recommend wearing a bow tie.

 

Whichever you want. 

If you do wear a bowtie, do not wear a pre-tied one.  As has been noted above, make sure that you have the flair and elan to carry it off (i.e. wear it, don't let it wear you).

 

And stick to an ordinary tie if there is the slightest hint of formality about the wedding.
 

 I bought a black one last weekend and am practicing learning how to tie it while looking in a mirror. I haven't got it perfect once yet. It always comes loose from my neck. I could have someone tie it for me but I want to be able to do it myself.

 

 I think they look cool as hell. Especially with a white dinner jacket so go for it!

Just wear a normal tie and neither make a fool of yourself or else become the centre of attention.

You are not known for such ties, have only just bought this one and have to ask, that confirms a resounding 'NO'.

If you're wearing a tux, you'll look like a clown if you don't. And get one you tie yourself, and in black. No exceptions.


If you're just wearing a normal suit, wear one if you like them. Again, tie it yourself, just get the guide on a computer and practice a few times, it's really not that hard once you get the hang of it. But if you have reservations, wear a normal tie, and ease yourself into bowties on other occasions.

At an office I recently worked in, a few of the guys did bowtie tuesdays, and I found that having some sort of regular schedule helped. Just plan to wear one every other week at some point, and I'll become a perfectly normal option for you before long, and you'll be comfortable with them.

You have to get it tight on the first loop. That is very important as you won't be able to tighten it later. This video led to my AHA! bow tie moment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJv4Qh7zR3E

This is true. There's nothing quite like the first time you walk into a public place full of people you know wearing a bow tie. The second time is easy, and after that you forget that it was ever something you thought people might notice.

A wedding is the perfect place to wear your first bow tie.  The formality of the event won't make the wearing of the bow tie unusual, even for those who know you well.  Go for it, and follow the video in this thread.  Just practice and you'll be fine.  Ignore those who say that if you have to ask then you shouldn't; as if they were born wearing one.  Have fun with it.

Bow ties are great. Just follow these two rules and you should be home and dry:

1. Wear them no more than once a month. Tops. Wearing a bow tie should be a sometime treat -- not something people expect of you.
2. To dissipate the risk of being perceived as clownish, only wear solid and darkly-hued bow ties (navy, forest green, burgundy, dark brown, etc.).

 

Great advice!  I have one bow tie that I enjoy wearing but it's a rare occurrence when I wear it.  If you really want to wear one do.  Like mentioned above I think a wedding is a great occasion to wear one.  

 

I disagree with this. There are some superb light colored bow ties out there that look not at all clownish. Consider this light colored bow tie which would be superb with a light summer suit.

 

I completely disagree with this.

If you wear a bow tie but once a month and a long tie all other days, you will be regarded as a clown on LOOK FOLKS, IT'S BOW TIE DAY!!!

I pretty much stopped wearing long ties a few years ago. Now, when I wear a long tie, folks who know me say "What's up with your tie?" It's kind of weird, in a way. When I put on a long tie now, I feel like I'm getting all dressed up.

As others have surely noticed, bows seem to be gaining popularity--you see them on ESPN regularly, for example. A bow tie is both fashionable and practical. While some are prone to fraying (arghh--that's the bane of the bow), they are, for the most part, much easier to deal with in real life than a long tie. They don't flop around and get in your way if you're reaching for something on the desk. And you'll never spill soup or coffee on a bow tie.

Dark colors can only go so far. There is a certain joy to a madras bow in the summer. Peter Blair also has fabulous summer bows, as does (gulp) Vineyard Vines. I recently acquired an Hermes in a blue-and-taupe pattern that isn't neon but also is not dark. It's an amazing tie, in my estimation (as are most Hermes ties).

As for the knot, it took me awhile to figure it out. Tying a bow is not difficult, but the key is to get the knot so it's not all twisted like a corkscrew. It isn't hard, once you figure out the mechanics involved. Also, if you take off your jacket, bows look way better with braces than with belts.

So, figure out the bow tie, gents, because its time has come. Really, and for sure, I think.