When the Croatian mercenary soldiers of the 17th century (during the Prussian Wars) tied scarves around their necks to hold the opening of their shirts together, the Bow Tie was born. The upper classes in France, who were considered to be leaders in the fashion industry of the time, used the word cravat (from the French word “croat”) to denote this clothing accessory. Honoré de Balzac, the noted French novelist, even wrote a book about bow ties.
After the appearance of the cravat, there is some speculation as to how the bow tie evolved. There is some uncertainty regarding if it evolved into both the bow tie and the necktie, or if it gave rise to the bow tie first and then the necktie evolved from that. Typically, a bow tie is hand-tied and is often referred to as a "freestyle" tie, a "self-tie", or a "tie-to-tie." They are usually manufactured from cotton, polyester, silk, or a fabric blend. Thicker fabrics such as wool are not typically used in bow tie manufacture.
The traditional bow tie is usually manufactured in fixed lengths so it can be purchased in different sizes depending on the person’s neck size. Typically, the length will vary from 14 to 20 inches, just like the neck size of a shirt. Adjustable bow ties are also available for wearing to less formal affairs when the collar of one’s shirt is to be turned down. A later invention that helped curb production costs is the “One-Size-Fits-All” or adjustable type bow tie.
Additionally, there are two other styles available in the clothing industry specifically, the “clip-on” and the “ready-tied” bow ties. The former has a band that wraps around the neckline under the collar and attaches in the back, whereas the latter clips on to the shirts collar points. Though both are effective for events requiring the wearing of a bow tie and a turned down collar, they are considered to be a faux pas where the traditional wearing of a bow tie is concerned.
Occasions Requiring the Wearing of a Bow Tie
Bow ties tend to be associated with a particular profession such as architects, attorneys, politicians, or professors. However, they are most commonly associated with what we call “Black Tie” or the more formal types of affairs and events, despite the fact that the necktie is more prevalent in today’s society.
It is more common to wear a bow tie with a formal dinner jacket than it is to wear the standard necktie. In fact, wearing a necktie with that type of jacket is considered to be improper or incorrect fashion sense. Typically, the following affairs and events demand the wearing of a bow tie instead of the standard necktie:
• Cocktail parties
• Formal dinner events
• Military mess dress
• Weddings
Tying a Bow Tie
It doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult to tie a bow tie and learning how to do so benefit you in the sense that you will ascend to a more elegant look when wearing a bow tie that you have hand tied yourself. The following is a 5-step guide on how to tie the ideal bow tie:
Step #1 – With the bow tie draped around the neck, end “A” (the end on the left) should be hang roughly 2” longer than the opposite end “B” (the right end)
Step #2 – Cross the “A” end over the top of the “B” end
Step #3 – Bring the “A” end up and then under the loop you just made by crossing the ends over one another
Step #4 – Double the “B” end over itself which will form the loop that becomes the tie’s front base
Step #5 – Loop the “A” end over the loop you just created
Step #6 – As you hold everything in place, double the “A” end back over itself, then thread it through the bow tie’s loop
Step #7 – Carefully adjust your bow tie by tugging slightly at the ends while at the same time straightening your center knot
Typically a bowtie is paired with a wing collar men’s dress shirt but this could be worn with traditional collars as well. Visit https://www.greenandjacks.com to create bespoke men’s dress shirts with any combination of style and measurements.
About Green and Jack's Bespoke Shirt Maker
Green and Jack's is a bespoke shirt maker based in London. Green and Jack's combines traditional hand tailoring techniques with three step easy ordering process to create high quality bespoke shirts. Perfect fit guarantee ensures free alterations.
Visit the Green and Jack's online store to purchase bespoke shirts from £79 plus free shipping within the UK or £5 delivery to the USA and Western Europe.
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About Green and Jack’s Bespoke Shirt Maker
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