First Time Bowtie Advice

Lionheart said:

I wouldn't put a linen square in the same outfit as a silk bowtie (or ascot, or necktie).

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...? I'm puzzled.

Lionheart said:

I would have gone with a solid silk if there was one available, so I suppose for this particular picture, it was really an issue of practicality.

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Sometimes less is more.

CharlestonBows said:

...? I'm puzzled.

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I'm curious. I've a feeling that there's a potential 'Art Linkletter' moment lurking behind that statement.

CharlestonBows said:

...? I'm puzzled.

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All my pocket squares are silk, because all my ties are silk. Call it a personal preference. The advice that the pocket square was competing with the bowtie was correct. And I appreciate the advice.

CharlestonBows said:

Sometimes less is more.

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Here is where "advice" turns to "criticism". It was a casual picture, and I'm not trying to prove anything. Relax.

Some dos and don'ts from a 25 year enthusiast

Bowties are fun and elegant, however they have their pitfalls, which is why more of us don't wear them. But they can be avoided with a little forethought.

DOS:
-Be floppy, not sloppy, with your bow tying. All you want is a rough symmetry. You want it to be obviously hand tied and look somewhat relaxed.
-Try a solid color bow with a striped or checked shirt for an interesting look that works with odd jackets or suits.
-Consider a diamond (aka pointed end or Sinatra tie). They take a little practice getting the diamond shapes to come out right, but it's a classic vintagey look.
-Practice getting the width right for your face. If you look gift-wrapped, your tie's tied too wide (shorten it in back). If you look like Pee Wee Herman, it's too narrow (let it out some). About as wide as your eyes is a good starting place.
-There's a rule about no bows with buttondown collars. I don't see the clash myself, especially with a blazer or other odd jacket. So feel free.

DON'TS:
-Bowties aren't just ties. It's a lot easier to look stuffy, fussy, or lame than it is with a four-in-hand. Their place is really with tailored clothes: odd jackets or suits, or maybe with just a dress shirt and khakis or dressier trou.
-Don't mess with them if you're wearing a waist jacket, outdoor or active shoes, or a double pocket shirt. A sweater is iffy: you may look like you were dressed by a magazine stylist.
-Small patterned bows are particularly tricky, especially the pindot or pincheck. With anything but a blue or grey suit they're just going to look stale. Any pattern finer than the Churchill (small polka dot) is not versatile.
-Avoid any bow that's too dark colored when you're wearing a dark suit. From a few feet away you'll look tuxedoed.

Fletch, what a wonderful Bow Tie "Primer", if you will, with some excellent points!

Lionheart said:

All my pocket squares are silk, because all my ties are silk. Call it a personal preference. The advice that the pocket square was competing with the bowtie was correct. And I appreciate the advice.

...

Here is where "advice" turns to "criticism". It was a casual picture, and I'm not trying to prove anything.

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All advice here, brother -- it's literally what I do. My one and only point was that, in fact, sometimes less is indeed more, especially with the given goal of dressing well. More specifically, rather than a busy square in an obviously competing and similar pattern, go with a plain white linen (less & recommended, and by far greater men than myself of other Loungers) or no square at all (less #2), as your bow would 'do the talking' (more).

I get that it was a 'casual picture.' Just doing what Loungers do in threads like this: my opinion as to how to open things up a little, sartorially speaking. That's all.

Lionheart said:

I got the pocket square at a local chain called "Syms" - specifically, in Peabody Massachusetts. It's Ralph Lauren. If I ever see them at Syms, I usually buy them all. I've also seen them at the Ralph Lauren factory outlets.

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I might have an RL Outlet around.

Personally, I like the "almost matches" look over the perfect match. If I can see stuff in person, I can eye-ball that sort of thing much better.

I've been trying to teach myself to tie a bow tie off and on (mostly off) for years, but I resolved to finally conquer it this week, as the wife and I are to attend the wedding of her best friend on Saturday, and I want to sport a bow tie to that celebration.

And tonight, I finally achieved it. I tied it directly around my neck, inside my collar, but tying it with the collar underneath shouldn't present much of a challenge.

Here's a photo of my first successful effort:

bow ties are great. i love wearing them. remember, theyre not going to be perfect, theyll be a little off, but IMO thats what gives them their style per individual.

also, repp bow ties are the bees knees

Inspired by this thread I spent a rather unenjoyable hour figuring out how to tie a bow tie. Quite pleased with the result though, what. No picture due to poor lighting.

Mr Charlestonbows and Mr Fletch

Lionheart said:

Hi Folks,

I'm about to take the sartorial plunge into bowties. I've never owned one before, and I would like to hear from the regular bowtie wearers who may be able to offer advice on what I should look out for, and which manufacturers I should/shouldn't buy from. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks for your time!

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...have very kindly provided bowtie advice to me in the past. I have not actually met Mr Fletch but he has taken quite a bit of time helping me on this forum. For that I am grateful. Mr Charlestonbows is actually located in Charleston, SC. I have been to his shop on King Street; he really has a gift for this sort of thing. I just don't have the eye to see things these men see. Just as it is with any other advice you may not choose to go with all the suggestions. Given that you already have the attention of both men I'd venture to say you are off to a good start.

I like them tied as loosely as possible without coming undone.

Thanks to this thread, I am going to search out my first 'real' bowtie, and attempt to learn how to tie it. I've always been fascinated with them (the real ones), and now I'm gonna take the plunge.

Good luck, Scotty; if I can do it, you can. Here's the YouTube clip that I found most useful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjI-58KrBmM&NR=1

Here I am a half hour ago, wearing a self-tied bow tie in public for the first time. I'm standing in front of J.J. Hat Center, where I got a navy ribbon placed on my new Sunbody hat (they rebashed it for me, too -- it looks much better, I think):