How to choose the right men's shirt with a bow tie. Tips and tricks

Today, many men are accustomed to freestyle clothing. Even when combined with a business suit, they do not wear neck accessories, but leave the top button of the shirt undone. All this happened due to the fact that they simply do not know how to combine things in their wardrobe with them. If a regular tie requires certain tying skills, then a bow tie is simply selected by color.

Regardless of the chosen style, a bow tie will suit every man. You just need to decide on the style, material and color of this accessory so that it fits perfectly into the overall image. Using a bow tie you can radically transform your appearance for the better.

Where did the butterfly come from in a male image?

The bow tie has a very long history, although the purpose of this element was not always decorative.
Mentions of the first prototypes of such an accessory date back to the times of Ancient China - the 3rd century BC. At that time, some warriors tied a piece of fabric around their necks and tied it with a kind of butterfly knot to protect them from wind, cold and dust. The same trend can be seen among some men of Ancient Rome a century later.

During the Prussian Wars, Croatian mercenaries tied a cloth around their necks just under the collar of their shirt to prevent it from flying open. This idea was adopted by the French, and then they came up with many options for knots for tying butterflies. Very soon the accessory ceased to be only for men - noble ladies began to wear it.

Interesting! Gradually, the butterfly could be seen on both aristocrats and the poor, and it took on its modern appearance only at the beginning of the last century. Now not everyone loves this accessory - some men will never give up the habit of wearing a regular tie. Despite this, the butterfly is still in fashion; it can be used to diversify your appearance and highlight your figure.

When did the bow tie appear?

The history of the butterfly began approximately in the 17th century in Croatia, where this accessory was worn by military men or mercenaries. In its original form, the bowtie looked like a tie and was tied over the collar like a tie. We can say that a bow tie and a tie have common roots.

At one of the receptions of the French king, the upper classes highly appreciated the Croatian accessory and gladly adopted this idea, especially since the French were “ahead of the rest” in the field of fashion in those days. Thus, since then, two men's accessories have appeared: a tie and a bow tie. The latter were an integral part of the dress code or formal dress code at the turn of the century. By the beginning of the 20th century, the bow tie had become one of the main men's accessories, worn by all classes of the time. While the bow tie fell out of everyday fashion after World War II, it has nevertheless remained a familiar addition to formal dress codes to this day.

The last 3-5 years can be considered a bright moment in the history of the bow tie. Among the youth of the West, Russia and the CIS countries, he began to regain his former popularity. Even women, no, no, even appear with a stylish accessory. Today you can meet people who wear a bow tie to work, to a cocktail party, and even to a casual meeting with friends.

Types of accessory

The classic bow tie involves tying it yourself with a special knot, but now ready-made ties with an elastic band or clasp with a length adjuster are also sold. Still, the first option will look more presentable, so it’s better to opt for it. It takes a little time to learn how to tie a bow tie, but the results are worth it. If a man values convenience more, then a tie with a clasp will suit him.

The following types of such accessory are distinguished:

Standard. The length when tied is approximately 14 cm, and the width of the widest part is approximately 6.5 cm. This is a universal option, suitable for any style of suit.
Large. The shape is classic, but the length is approximately 18 cm and the width is 8.5 cm.
Elongated. The “wings” of a butterfly are narrower and longer, which creates a more formal look especially for special occasions.
Figured. The sides of the tie are angular in shape, resembling a diamond in outline. This is a more stylish and interesting model.

You should select an accessory based on your appearance type. Don't choose a bowtie that's too long or wide just because it's fashionable or matches your suit. Slender men with a narrow face are recommended to choose a standard or curly type of such a tie, while chubby grooms will suit a large option.

Important ! An elegant image of a groom in a blue suit can be ruined by a bow tie that is too bulky - it will make the image heavier, but should ideally complement it, but not distract attention to itself.

The elongated variety can suit any type of appearance, but in this case you should try on the models individually. You can choose the length of the tie according to the distance between the outer corners of the eyes.

Modern designers make a butterfly not only from different types of fabric, but also from other materials - leather, wood, plastic, etc. Not all of these models are worthy of attention, but some can effectively complement the chosen image of the groom. There are even bowties with chains or spikes that would be perfect for a rock themed wedding.

This accessory needs to be selected for a specific look when the suit and shirt have already been purchased. You can follow the following recommendations for selecting a palette of elements:

the butterfly should be darker than the shirt, and the shades can refer to either the same color or different ones;
if the shirt is printed, the butterfly should be plain, and vice versa;
the tie can be the same shade as the jacket, this is especially true in the case of a dark blue suit;
there is an option to combine a white shirt and a white bow tie;
if there is a pattern on the tie, then its color should match the tone of the shirt;
an elegant, discreet combination - a blue suit, a white plain shirt and a burgundy or brown bow tie with or without a print;
the accessory should not have more than 3 colors;
two more options that match almost any blue suit are a black or dark blue bow tie;
A bright red or coral butterfly will look original if the boutonniere is the same shade;
the tie should be in harmony with the color of the shoes; ideally, these accessories should be the same shade.

Bow ties: how to choose the right one and what to wear with it

Good day everyone)! Today I decided to talk about a bow tie, what it is and how to wear it. It is noteworthy that this accessory, originally purely for men, can now be worn by women. The stereotype that a butterfly is only suitable for special occasions is also being destroyed; now you can wear it in everyday life.

Men's bow ties

As a rule, men can be roughly divided into two halves: those who love ties and those who cannot stand them, considering them to be a “noose” around their necks. But the fact is that this stylish accessory has to be worn from time to time even by those who don’t like them, for example, to work or to some special event. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to figure out how to choose the right ties. We won’t dwell on ordinary ties, but will tell you what to wear with them and how to choose the right bow tie.

When choosing a bow tie, there are several important points to consider:

1. There are butterflies that have a fixed knot, and there are those that need to be tied independently. What to choose is up to you. 2. Bow ties that are made from printed fabrics look very interesting 3. For men, one of the main mistakes when choosing a tie is choosing it to match the color of the jacket, so please note that you should not do this, since your suit will rather resemble the uniform of a waiter, not a gentleman. 4. Always remember that a bow tie is a very unusual and stylish item of clothing, so you need to select clothes to go with it even more carefully than with a regular tie. The bow tie can be worn with a cardigan, jeans, pullover, shirt or shirt paired with trousers and a tweed jacket.

Women's bow ties

Men's cut shirts and trouser suits have long been firmly established in the women's wardrobe, so it is not surprising that women have also “won” the opportunity to wear ties. Among them, bow ties stand out, they look very stylish and attractive. The leading materials for such ties are silk, cashmere, cotton or fine drape. The bow tie is suitable for wearing not only in an official business setting, but is also quite suitable for everyday life, the main thing that needs to be done is to choose it correctly. The butterfly should be chosen based on the overall color scheme of your image. This women's tie can be chosen in either a pastel color or a more saturated and bright one. Butterflies with floral or leopard print look stylish and original. When going out, a bow tie can be worn with a blouse and a pleated skirt. If you want to create a more businesslike look, then combine a bow tie with a classic jacket, shirt and trousers. For every day, this accessory will look good with jeans, a light pullover, a shirt or a jacket.

A special word should be said about paired butterflies, for example, for father and son or even for the whole family. This look is perfect for a photo shoot or any other special event. Butterflies for parents and child must be made of the same material and have the same color.

Fashionable colors and prints

The color of your bow tie can be chosen based on the look you're creating, but don't forget that there are trending colors and prints that are also worth considering. Traditionally, for a formal business style, it is best to use a tie in gray, brown, black or blue. But, if you want variety, then you should pay attention to an inky, dark green or blue-black tie, which will also fit perfectly into the dress code. For an informal style, you can choose a bow tie in red, wine, hot pink, green, lavender, orange or sapphire. Pastel colors such as light pistachio, peach, coffee with milk, light green are also popular. If we talk about prints, oriental motifs, floral, animalistic, floral and abstract will look great. Butterflies with polka dots, checkered patterns or stripes also look quite interesting.

Now you know what a bow tie is, how to choose it correctly and what to wear it with. I propose to continue our conversation and talk about this stylish piece of clothing. Do you wear a bow tie? If the answer is “yes,” I’ll be glad to see your comments and photos of looks with this accessory below. If for some reason you have never worn a tie of this style before, write down what doesn’t suit you about it?

I will be glad to see your comments!

Recommendations when choosing a butterfly

When choosing a bow tie for a blue suit, you don’t need to be afraid to experiment with color, even if it doesn’t fit into the fashion canons - you can try on different options, compare and choose according to your taste. If the style of the celebration allows, you can choose bold combinations of shades, but this must be done carefully so as not to end up with an awkward or pretentious image.

Also, you should not purchase such an accessory if it does not suit your appearance. Not every man will wear a bow tie, so you can always opt for a regular tie or scarf. Some images of the groom do not include any emphasis on the neck, so any accessory may become superfluous. It is also not advisable for men with a chubby neck to wear a bow tie, as it will only make the situation worse.

What's the difference between Self-Tie, Pre-Tied and Clip-On bow ties?

There are several types of bow tie fastenings and clasps. Let's list them:

The Self-Tie Bow Tie

The Self-Tie Bow Tie
The classic type of bow tie is a simple ribbon of fabric with a slight thickening at the edges, which you need to tie yourself. In the West it is also called “freestyle”, i.e. "free". As a rule, a bow tie knitted by hand, without any tools, has the greatest charm and personality.

In addition, at the end of the evening, gentlemen sometimes untie the bow tie and simply hang it around their neck, it looks very cool. This is what they do in the movies, for example, actor George Clooney or Pierce Brosnan, you can watch it at your leisure. But first, I advise you to practice tying a bow tie beautifully. To learn how to tie a men's accessory, look at this diagram.

SELF-TIE BOW TIES IN THE BOWANDTIE ONLINE STORE

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The Pre-Tied Bow Tie

The next type is the pre-tied bow tie. As the name suggests, the bowtie is already tied for you. The size can be easily adjusted to your neck and fastened to the collar in a few seconds. Disadvantages of a pre-tied bow tie include the knot and aspect ratio being too perfect.

Any man who is more or less knowledgeable about butterflies can easily distinguish a butterfly pre-tied at a factory from one that was tied independently. However, if you do not want to be known as a fashion expert and a dandy at a party, this bow tie option is always suitable for a beginner.

KNITTED BOW TIES IN THE BOWANDTIE ONLINE STORE

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The Clip-On Bow Tie

The third type of bow tie attachment is called “clip-on”, or Clip-On in English. This butterfly is already knitted at the factory, but instead of a long ribbon that wraps around the neck, a metal clasp with hooks is used on the collar section. This type of bowtie is usually worn by small children.

Combination

Blue is considered one of the classic colors for a men's suit, along with black and gray. Every year, designers include different shades of this palette in the lines of their creations.

In recent seasons, deep and bright shades of blue have come back into fashion, which suit almost any type of appearance and go perfectly with a bow tie.

The groom's blue suit with a butterfly can be almost anything, because a butterfly can be matched to both a classic look and an extraordinary one. In the first case, you can purchase an accessory of a standard or elongated type, plain or with a discreet pattern. In this case, a classic blue wedding suit for the groom “two” or “three” will be harmonious.

If you need to choose a bow tie for a casual style, then a fabric accessory, as well as a wooden or leather one, will do. The shape of the tie can be any, but curly or standard are best. The same goes for boho, country, rustic or Provence styles, but in these cases the jacket can be excluded from the look and at the same time complemented with a vest or suspenders.

Expert advice! For retro style or other non-standard themes, a butterfly is not always suitable. In some cases, a neckerchief will look better, and sometimes it is better for the groom to simply unbutton the top buttons of the shirt and not add additional accents. This can be determined during the fitting.

History of the accessory

The history of the butterfly goes back to the distant past, to the 17th century. Croatian mercenaries of that time tied a narrow scarf over the collar of their shirt. This detail of the costume was liked by the European aristocracy.

Such a neckerchief was called “kravat”, as a derivative of the word “Croat”. The bow tie gained particular popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, completing the fashionable men's looks of French aristocrats.

Currently, this item of clothing has undergone many changes, and a large number of varieties of models and colors have appeared. And for some, the bow tie has become a kind of calling card.

Among the famous historical figures who often wore this accessory are Sir W. Churchill and A. Lincoln. For them, the question of what to wear a bow tie with did not arise. Modern men have a much wider list of wardrobe items, more color and stylistic compositions.

Winston Churchill - British statesman and politician

Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States

For your information! The bow tie is part of the logos of such famous companies as Playboy and Chevrolet.

Options with a shirt of the same color

A stylish solution would be to choose a suit, shirt and bow tie from the same color palette, but in different tones. A popular option is for the groom to wear a blue shirt and a jacket with dark or deep blue shades. Pants and bow ties in this version should be pastel shades of the shirt. In this case, you get the most interesting blue wedding design.

You can make changes and make a bright accent on the tie by choosing it to match the boutonniere, shoes or bouquet of the bride.

Another option is suitable for men with a colorful appearance. It involves a combination of a dirty blue suit and a deep shade in a shirt. In this case, the bow tie is selected either to match the jacket and trousers, or to match the shirt. You can also choose a black accessory if it suits your look.

If the wedding is casual or has another informal theme, the groom can choose a shirt with a white and blue checkered print. In this case, the suit can be deep or dark blue, and the bowtie can be bright, for example, red. A stylized headdress will complement the look if the wedding is not taking place indoors.

Where is the accessory appropriate?

A tie is chosen for a special type of wardrobe. For him, not only a shirt is important, but also outerwear. The best option is a vest, jacket or sweater. Then there is no too bright accent in the appearance.

Wearing a bow tie with a shirt must follow the style rules. Otherwise, it will cause associations with service sector workers. A classic three-piece or coat suits her without raising any questions.

The use of English country style will be successful. A tie will decorate it and turn out to be a complete addition. It is recommended to choose a tweed cap or hat, a plaid tetesol shirt and a jacket.

A good solution is a retro style suit. Then the butterfly for the shirt will look most organic. This type of tie goes well with the preppy version. The look includes button-down shirts, brightly colored trousers, contrasting jackets, and penny loafers.

What will the bride wear?

A classic combination that will never go out of style is a bride in a snow-white dress and a groom in a rich blue suit. In this case, the young man should have a shirt identical in color to his beloved’s outfit, and it is better to choose a black, blue or red bow tie. This option is suitable for a classic wedding or celebration in a glamorous style.

Important! A blue suit with a bow tie is also suitable for a bride’s dress in delicate shades - ivory, milky, peach, etc. The groom's shirt should not be snow-white, otherwise the girl's outfit will look washed out or worn. We wrote more about choosing a bride's wedding dress in this article.

A blue jacket and trousers will also look good if the bride is wearing red. The groom will have two options: wear either a white shirt with a red bow tie, or a red shirt with an accessory to match the color of the suit. In the second case, it is better to choose dark blue jacket and trousers. Photos of the bride and groom are just below.

If you are planning a Tiffany-style wedding, the groom can choose a blue suit with a white shirt, a mint or turquoise vest and a bow tie of the same shade. This combination, if chosen tastefully, can match any bride’s dress, no matter what shade she chooses for this theme.

A celebration in a nautical style allows for monochromatic outfits for the bride and groom. A girl can be in a bright blue dress with white inserts or accessories, and a young man can be in a blue suit of the same rich shade and a snow-white shirt. This option does not always look harmonious, so choosing outfits may be difficult.

Since it allows you to create sophisticated looks for the bride and groom, blue will continue to be in fashion.

Is it necessary to choose a certain type of shirt to go with the bow tie?

Not every man knows that a shirt should be chosen, first of all, from the point of view of the formality of the upcoming event. This is what you should be guided by first of all when you put together your next outfit. The most formal and elegant shirts will be those with a stand-up collar and a hidden placket . They dress only with a tuxedo or tailcoat. The combination of this type of shirt with a suit is unacceptable. You'll look pretty stupid. This is an ideal choice for special occasions such as a wedding or New Year's corporate party. A little less formal, but worn exclusively with a tuxedo, is a shirt with a turn-down collar and jewelry buttons.

The next type of shirt that a butterfly will go with is a model with a “kent” collar . In this case, the buttons are hidden, but it looks very elegant and tasteful. This model can be worn with both a suit and a tuxedo. In each of these combinations she will look very stylish. Another fashionable solution would be a shirt with a classic collar and almost flat pleating. It is characterized by open buttons, which do not interfere at all when wearing it and look very elegant. It can be worn under a suit, but not with a tuxedo or jacket.

The above types of elegant shirts are exclusively for bow tie. A model with a hidden stand-up collar that hides the buttons will allow you to get the perfect vertical line that is so necessary for a tuxedo. In this case, a shirt with pleating and open buttons is no longer necessary, but this does not prevent you from wearing it with a suit. When choosing a shirt to go with your bow tie, follow the tips above and trust your sense of aesthetics and intuition!

Men are increasingly choosing short-sleeved shirts, as this is not a very elegant option and in certain circles is considered a sign of poor taste. If you still have one of these in your closet and want to incorporate it into your styling, then ditch the bow tie. You'll look much better without it.

Recommendations for future newlyweds

To save time and money, it is recommended to choose the groom's suit after the bride has bought her dress. Despite the fact that, according to tradition, she should not show her wedding dress to her lover until the wedding day, the girl can simply say what shade it is. The same goes for other accessories - bouquet, shoes, jewelry and even makeup. This will allow the young man to choose a harmonious image in blue.

If it is decided that the groom’s blue look will be complemented by a butterfly, the same accessory, but of a more modest type, should be selected for all male guests or at least just for the witness. The wedding will look more solemn and laconic, and you will get attractive photographs.

A blue groom's suit with a bow tie is a common combination that can combine the rigor of a classic style and the originality of a modern one. This solution is suitable for both young people and older men. You shouldn’t worry about your appearance either - a dark shade will hide many figure flaws.