In the beginning..
A very long time ago, in the early nineteenth century, men wore a square cloth that was folded several times in a specific way. That was the precursor to the bow tie as we know it today. The smaller and narrower the cloths became, the more they started to resemble the bow. Over the past 10 to 20 years, the bow had a rather old-fashioned image—it was worn by serious, older men. In recent years, it has made a comeback and has become the favourite of the young, stylish man with an extravagant look, also known as the modern dandy.
What types of bow ties are there?
Now that you know a bow tie might just become your new favourite accessory over the coming months, it’s good to know there are lots of different bow-tie shapes:
Butterfly
The first is the modern Butterfly: the classic shape most people will recognise. It suits almost all face shapes and is a solid starting point for anyone wearing a bow tie for the first time.
Big Butterfly
Next up is its bigger brother, the Big Butterfly, with a larger, rounder look. This style is often worn for very formal occasions.
Batwing
The Batwing is the narrowest bow tie shape there is. It creates a modern look and is slightly less formal than the Butterfly, while still perfectly suitable for formal events.
Diamond
The Diamond has a distinctive shape, with pointed ends. It’s a bow tie you don’t see all that often.
Rounded
A truly standout option is the Rounded bow tie, with (as the name suggests) rounded ends instead of straight ones. If you’re not afraid to stand out, this is the bow tie for you.
How do you know which shape suits you? That depends a little on your face shape, but mostly on personal preference. If you’re new to wearing bow ties, the Butterfly is a very safe and solid choice. This shape also works with every face shape. If you want to let your inner dandy shine, go for a slightly more statement version.
Pre-tied or self-tie?
The big question: will you go for a pre-tied bow tie or a self-tie? At Suitable, we have both—and both have their advantages. A ready-to-wear bow tie is a great place to start if you’re new to the world of bow ties. If you already have a bit more tying experience or you’re simply feeling confident, you can opt for a self-tie. Some people see this style as the only real bow tie; a true connoisseur will immediately recognise a hand-tied one.
Don’t feel discouraged if your bow tie arrives and you’re not quite sure where to start—there are plenty of helpful videos and instructions on YouTube to help you master the knot. Here you can watch a great instructional video, owned by the HowCast channel:
Which bow tie do you wear for which occasion?
- Black tie events: A black tuxedo should be worn with a black bow tie, preferably made from a luxurious material.
- White tie: The most formal of all events—here, only a white bow tie is acceptable. You’ve been warned!
- Semi-formal event: This is where you can decide which bow tie to wear, so feel free to experiment with colour and shape—but it’s wise to leave your Star Wars or SpongeBob bow tie at home.
- Casual Smart: Let your inner style guru loose and choose the bow tie you want to wear. Suitable, for example, has very on-trend knitted bow ties in a range of colours. Take your time to develop a style that feels like you. You can also pair your bow tie with other accessories, such as coloured socks and suspenders.
You can also match your bow tie perfectly with your suspenders.
Tie it carefully!
