Bow ties have long gotten a bad rap as the classic nerd accessory. They aren’t. In fact, some pretty cool dudes including James Bond, Humphrey Bogart and the late great Abraham Lincoln were all bowtie aficionados who knew how and which bow ties to wear.
Most bowties are made from silk but velvet bowties have become popular lately, especially when paired with tuxedos. You can buy clip on or pre tied bowties but don’t. There are a zillion videos on YouTube that can show you how to tie a bowtie (here’s our favorite)
But before you order a closetful, know these basics:
There are three types of bowties that you should own: pointed, batwing and hourglass.
The Diamond Point – Just as it’s named, the diamond point narrows to sharp points at the ends. Standard tuxedo wear, every man needs a diamond pointed bow tie in his closet. Order now and ask our advisors which tuxedo colors and shape would suit your frame best.
The Butterfly – This classic style is the most conservative and flattering for most face shapes and body types. The ends are typically no more than 2-2.5 inches. A large butterfly version can go 3 -3.5 inches at the end but we recommend avoiding this look until you are a bowtie expert unless you are fishing for Bozo comparisons.
The Batwing – This southern classic is narrower, trimmer and with slender blades. Great for slim builds, slim cut suits and purposefully understated looks.
Now that you know the types of bow ties, it’s time to learn how to choose the one right for you.
Follow these rules of thumb when picking out bowties: darker conservative suits work well with brighter, more colorful ties. A colorful or more textured suit or jacket requires a quieter, more understated tie.
The shape of the tie and its height and width also matter. Bowties should fit your face. Choose their width using your cheekbones as guidance so that they match proportionally.
Whether you choose a brown and green plaid batwing or a black silk diamond point, bowties are about the attitude. Wear it like you own it.