So I wore a bow tie to a job interview

[psugrad98]

I had a job interview at a university, and decided to just wear the bow tie. When I wear a tie, I usually wear a bow tie, so I figured to go with it. Also, a university is a bit more tolerant of such neckwear. We'll see.

 

[MisterCairo]

I had a job interview at a university, and decided to just wear the bow tie.

Sounds like a pretty relaxed dress code!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. The "just wear a bow tie" comment reminds me of a sketch from the British comedy series "Not the Nine o'clock News". A maitre'd at a fancy restaurant turns away a couple because the gentleman, while nicely dressed in slacks, collared shirt and jacket, is not wearing a tie. On leaving, they are passed by a man wearing NOTHING but a giant tie! He is greeted by name and escorted to his 'usual" table!

 

[Tomasso]

Sounds like a pretty relaxed dress code!

Yeah, I was wondering which university....maybe the Kinsey Institute at IU.......

 

[Edward]

It would be interesting to get some feedback on the bow. I wear one regularly at work myself (I teach Media Law in one of the University of London colleges). I was influenced (of course) in part by Dr Henry Jones Jnr, and in part by a Professor of history in Belfast who always wore a bow tie with a three piece.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

From experience, personally, I would wait until, ones feet are safely ensconced under the desk, and you have passed the 3 month probationary period and been made permanent, before introducing,thing like bow ties, spectator shoes et al It's a bit like me failing my Drivers Test, the examiner explained that once I had my License, I could speed as much as I wanted, but not on the Driving Test, Instant FAIL!

 

[TCMfan25]

Bow ties are the best, I wear one everyday with occasional exceptions. Good luck on getting the job, I've always wanted to be a Professor of British or European History.

 

[Whizz for Atomms]

Interesting to see if it makes any difference - only time will tell I guess, will at least help them remember you though!

Although I often wear a bowtie at work I'm not sure if I'd wear one to an interview, they always feel a touch less formal than a regular tie to me.

 

[hatophile]

They are unconventional these days, but I like them. I don't see a big problem with it. The big question is...
did you wear a hat to the interview?

 

[djd]

Maybe the latest Doctor Who's predeliction for them will help bring them back into general use?!

 

[SteveAS]

I recently wore a bow tie and a hat (while outdoors) to a deposition. Both lawyers complimented me on the bow tie. One complimented me on the hat and the other told me he "hated" the hat.

 

[Dr Kilroy]

Well, I am planning to wear a bow tie to an interview. So, did you get the job? Tell us when you will know.

Anyway, congratulations, you should be consindered mad on AAACF.

Best regards, Dr

 

[Lily Powers]

It would be interesting to get some feedback on the bow. I wear one regularly at work myself (I teach Media Law in one of the University of London colleges). I was influenced (of course) in part by Dr Henry Jones Jnr, and in part by a Professor of history in Belfast who always wore a bow tie with a three piece.

My boyfriend is a television news reporter so his neckwear is scruitinized daily by viewers. He began wearing bow ties (after a good 2 weeks of practicing how to tie one successfully, to which I should have charged admission and served popcorn, it was that amusing to watch) and has received many compliments in person and via the station website.

psugrad98, good luck with your interview!

 

[Gregg Axley]

Since he hasn't responded, maybe we should try to bond him out.
Unless it IS a relaxed dresscode.
My nephew wears bow ties with a nice shirt and just a pair of slacks (not neccessarily suit pants), and it looks fine.
Right now he's in gov't, but he's looking to be a counselor for teens.
I think it should be acceptable.

 

[James Pressley]

Quite frankly all this "relaxed" dress code business is bs. The Bow Tie is considered in most of the world far more dressy than the long tie. The Tux is the proof.

 

[Almost Vintage]

I love bow ties. I think they make a great statement!

 

[avedwards]

Quite frankly all this "relaxed" dress code business is bs. The Bow Tie is considered in most of the world far more dressy than the long tie. The Tux is the proof.

I agree. The only reason one would be inappropriate for a job interview would be because it is too overdressed, in the same way a three piece suit could be considered a bit much for a job interview.

 

[Saint-Just]

I agree. The only reason one would be inappropriate for a job interview would be because it is too overdressed, in the same way a three piece suit could be considered a bit much for a job interview.

I beg to differ. A bow tie is not dressy per se, it is dressy when black and worn with a dinner jacket, and even dressier when white and worn with a full dress.

When worn with a suit, a bow tie is in the same league as a tie with fancy patterns, i.e. a sign of eccentricity (I assume the bow tie is patterned as well, a black bow tie with a suit would be what is best described as a faux pas )

It does not mean it was not suitable for the interview, since that will depend on the sort of job you were after.

As to the three piece suit, I have always considered it dressier than a dinner jacket, but I accept this may not be reflected by what one can see on a daily basis

 

[avedwards]

I beg to differ. A bow tie is not dressy per se, it is dressy when black and worn with a dinner jacket, and even dressier when white and worn with a full dress.

When worn with a suit, a bow tie is in the same league as a tie with fancy patterns, i.e. a sign of eccentricity (I assume the bow tie is patterned as well, a black bow tie with a suit would be what is best described as a faux pas )

It does not mean it was not suitable for the interview, since that will depend on the sort of job you were after.

As to the three piece suit, I have always considered it dressier than a dinner jacket, but I accept this may not be reflected by what one can see on a daily basis

First of all, by dressy do you mean formal or flamboyant?

I think a bow tie worn with a suit can be more formal than a regular four in hand tie. I does depend on the colour and pattern of course. I have a grey bow tie with a sublte blue pattern which I consider more formal than my regular ties. Of course it also depends what it is worn with. If worn with a tweed jacket it becomes more eccentric looking than if worn with a dark suit.

As regards the three piece suit, it is definitely less formal than a dinner jacket. It just happens that dinner jackets are worn incorrectly by so many people these days that they no longer look as formal as they are supposed to.

 

[Saint-Just]

Interesting.

First, by "dressy" I mean formal, certainly not flamboyant

I always considered the dinner jacket as fairly informal, although its rarefied use makes it look de facto more formal than it is.
It is also quite specific in terms of formality, since you will wear it at black tie events, to the casino (for a charity, you understand ) or for a cocktail party.

As for the bow tie, to each his own style. I quite like them but would certainly not consider them more formal than a four in hand tie. I also do not like them at all with a 3 piece suit

May be I fell victim to stereotypes, that associate bow ties with architects or paediatricians...

 

[avedwards]

Well a dinner jacket is not "formal" (a modern misconception) as that term traditionally only applies to white tie or morning dress. However a dinner jacket is more formal than a three piece suit as the latter is informal (a term all too often confused with casual these days) and can be worn at any time of day whilst the former is somewhere in between formal and informal - I like to call it semi-formal. The fact that a dinner jacket is time specific (it's day time equivalent being black lounge) makes it more formal. Of course in this day and age very few people understand these distinctions and white tie is so rarely worn that black tie becomes the most formal sort of dress most people are likely to wear, myself included.

I personally quite like wearing a bow tie with a three piece suit (better still a double-breasted suit), but indeed each to his own. Their relative formality compared to a four in hand tie is a subjective matter so I would not fault you for considering them less formal.