Bowtie Comeback - How Big?

[Lafont]

I have seen more bowties in fashion magazines - even the fantastic watch magazine supplement that compliments the latest issue of Wallpaper magazine. What are your opinions about how far the popularity of bowties will go? I'm most interested in the US but an international prediction is fine, too. Does anyone see it getting to the point where the "average joe on the street" will wear bowties again, such as they did in, say, the 1940s and '50s? There was a comeback in the early-to-mid '70s but I don't think it went that far.
It's difficult to imagine any comeback involving mostly clip-ons but I suppose if the popularity rose that much many sold and worn would be that type. But if men can learn to tie a long tie they can tie the bows. I recently learned myself after all these years though it still is a bit tricky....
Right now I have only a few bowties (each acquired originally for formalwear) but dozens of four-in-hands. I enjoy all the patterns, colors, effects.

 

[Joseph K. Bank]

For a professional business environment I don't feel that bow ties are appropriate considering that they leave so much open space between your neck and the top button of your jacket; in my opinion it's almost like not wearing a tie at all.

 

[alliswell]

They're costume, and costume doesn't come back. And as far as the 'average joe in the street' is concerned, we're never going to see him wearing a tie again, let alone a bowtie.

 

[WestIndianArchie]

They're fairly common in Washington DC.

It's so common, imo, that it doesn't give off the "professor" vibe.

 

[dinted voice]

Originally Posted by WestIndianArchie

They're fairly common in Washington DC.

It's so common, imo, that it doesn't give off the "professor" vibe.

I hope there is not a big comeback. This is not because I don't like them, but I do enjoy the surprised looks and compliments I get when I wear mine. I only wear one maybe once every few weeks for a change of pace, and no I won't buy a clipon.

 

[Lafont]

This is now getting into the "image" thing, and that's fine. I guess when I say "average joe in the street" I'm saying that sporting a bowtie would be so popular that many, many types of men would wear them and any strong stereotypes would go by the wayside. Right now around Cleveland I mainly notice them only in fashion-conscious magazines, with the occasional exception of some older men who dress distinctively in general (or men dressed formally, of course; that's a whole different ballgame. Even then the four-in-hands have gotten so common in recent years).

 

[khaki sack]

Believe me Average Joe will wear a bow tie ,if he has to. There's a lot to be said for maintaining standards by ,force or theat of force.

Originally Posted by letmebefell

They're costume, and costume doesn't come back. And as far as the 'average joe in the street' is concerned, we're never going to see him wearing a tie again, let alone a bowtie.

 

[zarathustra]

I have noticed many younger gents sporting the bow-ties again. They tend to be the smaller RLRugby sorts.

I will wear a bow to the office once a week or once every two weeks when i wanna mix things up a bit.

 

[audiophilia]

Bow ties are nearly as bad as hats. Ugh! With dinner jacket, yes, but even Tucker Carlson has given up the look.

 

[Vintage Gent]

At least in my precincts, I've noticed an upswing in bow tie wearers. One day, in fact, on my lunch walk, I noticed four gents sporting the bow.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Yeah, I usually see about 4-5 bows a day and have for some time. No real increase on the street that I've been able to discern. I think that most of the men I see wearing them are lawyers who can pull off the Atticus Finch/Southern Lawyer image.

I don't really understand all the hate for bow ties. I don't wear them often, but do from time to time and have all my life. Just another tool in the chest, IMO.

 

[dopey]

Bowties on businessmen on the streets of New York are seen more frequently than they had been in the past, but still very very infrequently.

 

[khaki sack]

Originally Posted by zarathustra

They tend to be the smaller RLRugby sorts.

Like ,Mafoofan?

 

[MichaelE]

I wouldn't wear one myself.

They remind me too much of Howard Sprague.

 

[Brad]

Originally Posted by MichaelE

They remind me too much of Howard Sprague.

Howard Sprague was a smooth operator.