Bolo Ties-- Acceptable Alternative or Novelty Oddity?

Michaelshane · Mar 21, 2009

I think you really need to be an authentic cowboy/rancher/Native American

Is it OK to wear cowboy boots if I'm none of the above?

Dashing1 · Mar 21, 2009

Michaelshane said:
I think you really need to be an authentic cowboy/rancher/Native American

Is it OK to wear cowboy boots if I'm none of the above?

If you never spend any time in a saddle or 2-stepping, no.

Michaelshane · Mar 21, 2009

I guess I'll have to put all my bolos and boots on Ebay.[huh]

Geesie · Mar 21, 2009

Or start two-stepping.

Joie DeVive · Mar 21, 2009

Michaelshane said:
I guess I'll have to put all my bolos and boots on Ebay.[huh]

Naw, that's just his humble opinion.

And in mine, as the Granddaughter of a real life cowboy and rancher, I say go for it. If you live here in the west, it can be as much a statement of heritage or mindset as anything. There are of course limits and taste, as there are with most things (you don't want to look like the Rhinestone Cowboy...) but within reason, don't sweat it.

Or, you could always do as Gessie suggests and try a little western or square dancing...

MPicciotto · Mar 21, 2009

Dear Dashing1,

I see two different concepts in your one post;

Dashing1 said:
I think you really need to be an authentic cowboy/rancher/Native American to pull this look off. A lack of authenticity always reeks. Don't wear a bolo if you are not actively managing ranch land in the West,

So I should get rid of my adventuring gear since I'm NOT an actual African Big Game hunter nor Safari guide?

Dashing1 said:
don't wear an ascot if you are weilding a jackhammer on urban streets or attending a Teamster's meeting.

Then we have the second part of that sentence. Which I think is what you rather meant. Being blue collar by day I just might want to wear an ascot going out that evening. But certainly not to the neighborhood dive where my co-workers and others would go to straight from work, and not any company meetings of course.

Matt

Michaelshane · Mar 21, 2009

This thread is just stupid.I'm going to take pictures today of people I see on the streets of my town,common everyday people living their lives.Lets see what I find.

Dashing1 · Mar 21, 2009

Just offered a point of view. Didn’t mean to disrupt the flow of this site.

My point was simply that clothing out-of-context of personality/experience/culture/locale & occasion doesn’t ring true. If I wear a pith helmet and am not (nor have I ever been on safari or similar adventure), it is merely costume; that’s OK, if that is what one wants, but it becomes as campy and arbitrary as it would be if I were to wear a vampire outfit on the streets--I might personally enjoy wearing such an outfit, but would be folly to expect it to meet with general applause.

Wearing an outfit to reflect part of your personality is a great thing. This forum is full of souls whose hearts are in the classics and dress (and live) accordingly. We certainly each have our own quirks and styles that make a site like this a real celebration of diversity. My point about actually living out one’s dress is that real passion and person is reflected in actions. If I wear a cowboy outfit with lasso, but never actually pursue living the life and going near a horse, I am merely a little boy wearing a costume (and will be regarded as such). The same would be true if I wore a fireman’s rig, but were not a fireman.

I realize it is all a matter of degree. I also realize that many folks (including many on this forum) like to dress in costume merely to dress in costume. Some folks in life also like to dress in Goth style. Do what makes you happy, regardless of the opinions of others. However, the thread started with a question regarding public opinion concerning a questionable article of clothing—I guess the real answer is (as it is for so many things sartorial), if you have to ask, the answer (for you) is “no.”

I am sorry for those who took offence. I am glad that many people have their self-worth and wardrobe determined by personal fiat vs. public poll. If you can wear an outfit with real confidence, by all means do it. Those who can and are realistic are seldom offended by a critique.

Michaelshane · Mar 21, 2009

Not offended here......just having some fun.

Dashing1 · Mar 21, 2009

Michaelshane said:
Not offended here......just having some fun.

Glad to hear it!

Sometimes, it's tough to tell on the Net. Would not want to hurt anyone's feelings over a matter of inconsequential opinion.

Enjoy the day in whatever you choose to wear, & I'll try to do the same!

John in Covina · Mar 21, 2009

My mom's Uncle Jens, Danish by birth, moved to the USA in the later 40's and eventually moved to Colorado with his wife and children. He loved the cowboy lifestyle as seen in Colorado and was an enthusiastic Western Wear person. He often wore bolo ties, cowboy hats and cowboy or rancher style boots. He built a motel near Denver and catered to the travelers. His ability to speak western with a hearty Danish accent was funny and endearing. The family loved him greatly and he was the toast of the town when he and his wife Ethyl would visit NY & NJ or make the big trip back to Denmark.

If Uncle Jens could wear it, I figure just about anyone could as long as they had it in mind that it showed the joy of being Western at heart.

vitanola · Mar 21, 2009

Talbot said:
When I travel to TX, I see them often amongst older folks. I like them, but they are definately a regional thing.

Talbot

The "Col. Sanders tie" is a sting tie. It was popular nationally in the decades after the War of the Rebellion. It faded from popularity nationally around the turn of the century, but was still worn by elderly gentlemen on the hinterlands. Sanders adopted this pointedly obsolete tie as indicative of the "Old Southern Gentlemen" that he remembered from his youth, who would have been fashionable young blades in the early '80's.

MPicciotto · Mar 22, 2009

Dashing1,

Your points are well taken and no offense is taken. All is well at least at my computer. I think now it's time for me to don my chino's and one of my Cubavera type shirts. Although not a Miami drug kingpin I do enjoy the clothing

Matt

Dashing1 · Mar 22, 2009

MPicciotto said:
Dashing1,

Your points are well taken and no offense is taken. All is well at least at my computer. I think now it's time for me to don my chino's and one of my Cubavera type shirts. Although not a Miami drug kingpin I do enjoy the clothing

Matt

Smoke a cigar, have a good time, and you are authentic!

MPicciotto · Mar 23, 2009

Dashing1 said:
Smoke a cigar, have a good time, and you are authentic!

:eusa_clap That made my evening. Thank you.

Matt

P.S. Any more thoughts on Bolo Ties?

Mr Zablosky · Aug 13, 2009

I've seen plenty of bolos in Dallas and N Mexico. I have my favorites and don't think they good good or authentic on some folks. I'll wear one when I'm in the mood. If I thought I looked goofy or got some negative feedback from someone I cared about I wouldn't wear it.

As for the string ties, My best man and I wore them in '91. No one mentioned them. Probably because they weren't that unusual to that crowd.

Edward · Aug 13, 2009

I'm not a fan of the full-on Western wear myself, these days. I do still have a bolo tie I wore (with, heh, screw-on shirt-collar tips) back about 1986. Not sur why, I don't recall it being especially fashionable and I certainly wasn't into the cowboy thing then.... maybe it was something to do with the heavy metal thing; I remember having some cowboy boots for that reason back then.

I do very much associate bolo ties with 'city cowboys' - the full JR Ewing look. Mainly becasue that's what I'm used to seeing on the television.

Both bolos and string ties were (and, I think, still are) pretty popular amoung the teddy boy set in the UK, back in the day. To date I have preferred a slim four in hand with my ted wear but I may experiment with a bolo I have somewhere, bought for a (non-Western) costume, which has the Lancers 'death or glory' motif on it. Popular symbol among the "rock and roll outlaw" set over here back in the day; for me, it resonates with one of my favourite old Clash numbers.

Other than that, I can't really imagine me wearing one. Can be an interesting look, though, depending upon the nature of the design.

I do have a question relating to the string tie.... I've only ever seen pre-tied versions. Does the real thing simply tie like a regular bow tie but with a couple of extra, uhm, dangly bits?

DC3 · Aug 13, 2009

This is a very interesting thread. I sipped a cup coffee while reading all the responses, and maveled at what a wonderful site I had found...just while looking for a hat. I also had to admit what a wonderful cup of coffee that was.
Now, though it may have already been said, I think thoughtful men and women, dress for the occasion. If that means you are going to a square dance or "Western Night" at a club then a bolo tie with a country star's signature shirt and cowboy boots with your pants tucked inside them would be appropriate. It's definately a finge look in the western style but appropriate for the occasion. That original 1920's wide striped zoot suit wouldn't be...though you wouldn't get beat up for it.

I have my own style and adapt it to the particular look I want for the occasion. I grew up in preppy New England but have lived in the west for two thirds of my 60 years so I'm familiar with it all. I have a good variety of Western hats, boots, and a growing section of vests. I ride a motorcycle so I also have some of that influence. I like the outdoors, am an advide phtographer and have dug for semi precious stones with my own tools so I have that adventerer look as well. Then again, at my last job I wore a tie, and often a jacket, every day. So these styles meet and cross over a little, but the influence on each other works without looking odd. For example. I wouldn't wear a 20x felt Stetson cowboy hat or a Homburg to play golf, but my fedora would be okay. That's one of the reasons I like the fedora. It is so adaptable.

Mr Zablosky · Aug 14, 2009

String tie

Mine are pre-tied and the part that goes around the neck has a small clip that fastens the collar part together. I imagine they come both pre-tied and DIY.

davestlouis · Aug 14, 2009

What the heck is the War of the Rebellion? Is that anything like the War of Northern Aggression, 1861-1865?

And by the way, living in the St. Louis metro area, the only bolo ties one would see would be on square dancers or people going to one of those country line dance halls.

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