What's wrong with bow ties?

[Master Squirrel]

The only thing wrong with bow ties is the idea that there is something wrong with a bow tie. I my city, bow ties often identify you as a lawyer. (minus) but like anything how you wear it is the key. As far as being 'bow-tie guy" you will be if you wear one every day. I mean really? It is not like you have to wear one everyday. Or even most days. Like everything, it is in the way you use it. That being said, I do think they look good with a vest or jacket. Stay away from a milkman outfit of white shirt, Eisenhower jacket and bow tie.

P.S. Pee Wee Herman is actually dressed quite stylish.

 

[woolymammoth]



What's wrong with bow ties?

Nothing.

 

[Bounder]



I have nothing against bow ties, though I don't personally wear them outside of black tie / white tie events. You may be thought of as slightly eccentric for wearing them by some, but that's really the only downside I can see. If you're a junior guy in your workplace and everyone else wears long ties or no tie at all, it may not be the best plan if you don't want to be known as "bow tie guy." Otherwise, go nuts. I'd stick to more conservative patterns and designs until you're used to wearing them.

Bow ties are definitely not conservative business dress.

This, mostly. Outside certain parts of the American South, bowties border on costume except for black tie.

It may be unfortunate, but that's the way it is. The same thing happened to hats.

 

[GBR]

Other than on black or white tie occasions they are generally considered to be costume outside certain parts of the USA. Think of them as the preserve of eccentric professors and expensive doctors.

 

[Saturdays]

Nothing wrong with bowties. Safety is in black/white tie events where it is universally acceptable when done properly.

The Ivy / Preppy way is a little eccentric with emblematic and crested patterns, repp stripes etc.. which if done right is tasteful, and its not tough to pull off.

Then there is the cheesy/geeky Steve Urkel version where its just completely goofy and should be avoided.

 

[Caustic Man]

This, mostly. Outside certain parts of the American South, bowties border on costume except for black tie.

It may be unfortunate, but that's the way it is. The same thing happened to hats.

I disagree. Whether one sees it as a momentary fad, or a broader movement, bow ties are becoming more common and more accepted.

 

[Makoto Chan]

Many days I feel like wearing a bow tie, but then I ask myself if I really want the attention, and wouldn't a regular tie look better anyway, and so I put it back down. I'll tell you that there's nothing wrong with bow ties, but I would recommend that if you have to ask, then you probably shouldn't wear it. You're obviously free to do whatever you want.

Usually I see bow ties on fashionistas in their early 20's (come to think of it, that's who I was when I was wearing bow ties). There's nothing wrong with that, of course. Then there are men who pull off a bow tie with natural aplomb, and maybe you're one of them.

 

[FillW]

I was standing in line yesterday to get a sandwich and as I was getting ready to pay for it I noticed the guy behind me had on a yellow bowtie with black stripes and was wearing a black suit. He was an older guy probably in his sixties but looked good.

 

[landshark]

A couple of good ways to start wearing bow ties are at church on the weekend and also dinner in the evening. Also going out partying/drinking can give a good opportunity as long as you keep it to classier places where people will probably be wearing at least jackets.

 

[cptjeff]

They're a fairly normal sight here in DC, even in conservative settings. I personally try to work them in somewhat regularly, same pattern and color matching rules as a long tie.

 

[BowTied]

The only thing wrong with bow ties is the "faddishness" accompanying them these days, like guys wearing ridiculously small bow ties, poorly tied, with shirts that look as if they were slept in. I'm in bow ties daily, along with nice suits, mostly three-piece. Most that I wear are either 2.5" or 2.75" wide prior to tying. I tie them perfectly, typically at the collar of a heavily starched white shirt although I throw in powder blue or pale pink or other pastels with some regularity. I also wear them on Sundays for church as well as for evenings out.

 

[CTLION]



The only thing wrong with bow ties is the "faddishness" accompanying them these days, like guys wearing ridiculously small bow ties, poorly tied, with shirts that look as if they were slept in. I'm in bow ties daily, along with nice suits, mostly three-piece. Most that I wear are either 2.5" or 2.75" wide prior to tying. I tie them perfectly, typically at the collar of a heavily starched white shirt although I throw in powder blue or pale pink or other pastels with some regularity. I also wear them on Sundays for church as well as for evenings out.

This is a late entry to this old discussion, but one of my reps wears a bow tie with a suit everyday and he looks sharp because he does it the right way. I own three bow ties, one of which goes with a tux. I like wearing them though I rarely do. Unfortunately they draw attention and not necessarily in the best manner. That being said, I live in Florida now so perhaps I will break them out once a month and make it a fun day. Just not a board meeting day.

 

[Shoe City Thinker]

Nothing as long as you can rock it. You really have to have the bookish/nerdy personality (and career) to pull it off. If my alpha male boss tried it, would be laughable. If the tax accountant in the NYC office tried it, would rock it.