When it comes to formal black tie or white tie occasions, nothing beats the bow tie. You must have already seen the classic version of the bowties made popular by the James Bond franchise and magicians. The bowtie is a kind of necktie for men, but it is much more formal.
The bow tie is essentially a ribbon that is tied around the collar in a symmetrical way to form a very stylised bow around the central knot. These days of course you can also buy readymade bow ties, which are elasticated at the back and can be slipped on with ease. Menswear connoisseurs believe that only the real thing provides the right impression, but they are difficult to tie especially for those who do not get much practice with them; the ready-to-go version is definitely the safer option to save embarrassment.
As with neckties, there is a range of different materials used to make bow ties – especially cotton, polyester, nylon and blends of cotton and manmade fabrics. The best quality bow ties continue to be silk, a good bet for special occasions when the price is not a constraint.
Today, bowties are commonly seen with a dinner jacket rather than a suit, and the military mess dress code is a black bowtie.