Bow ties are also known as dickie bows. These have become a staple in men's wardrobe, especially for those who normally attend formal events. Common types are made up of fabric ribbon. A bow tie is tied around a collar in a symmetrical pattern, where the two ends form a loop. Ready-made bow ties consist of the already sewn bow and a fabric band which can be clipped. Some clip-on bow ties do away with the fabric band and instead, keep the clip-on part. There is also the traditional bow tie - or freestyle as it is known - is where the bow tie needs to be tied by hand. Bow ties may be made of silk, cotton, polyester and a mixture of various other fabrics. Certain bow ties are woven from wool, but these are less common to have bow ties made of.
Bow Ties And Their Origin
The Croatian mercenaries were among the first to wear bow ties in the 17th century. This took place during the Prussian wars. The Croats used a scarf to ensure that their shirts stayed closed. Later, the upper French class adopted the name cravat and adorned bow ties. It is not altogether certain if the cravat eventually became a bow tie or simply gave rise to it.
Today, traditional bow ties are still made of a fixed length and size. This is similar to a shirt collar, where the bow tie size ranges from 14 and 20 inches. When wearing a formal collar shirt, traditional bow ties are the most preferred. If you are wearing a less formal shirt with a turn-down collar, it is better to wear an adjustable tie with it.
Types Of Bow Ties
The simplest type of bow tie is a ready-tie which clips itself to the collar. There are two types of bow ties which you can select from. The first is known as a bat wing, similar to a cricket bat and the second is called a butterfly. These ties are double ended and have both ends shaped. Occasionally, you will come across a single end bow tie, where one side is flared and the other side remains thin. There are other shapes which exist - for instance, a bow tie with pointed tips on both ends.
Bow Ties And Their Wearers
Bow ties are normally associated with lawyers, physicians, professors and architects. Pediatricians also wear bow ties, more for convenience sake. Bow ties are worn by a mixed lot. It is observed that bow ties are mostly worn by conservative men. This presents a sense of dullness rather than projecting an image of fun and zany. While some people are not necessarily economic conservatives, they are social conservatives. In surveys recently conducted, bow ties are associated with intelligence and fastidiousness. It is also observed, that most men wear bow ties at very formal functions.
Current Trend Of Bow Ties
Bow ties are making somewhat of a comeback, as you see people adorning their bow ties at school functions, formal dinners, cocktail parties and even at night parties. String ties, which are the narrow bow ties, are still quite popular among men in many states. Men frequently wear bow ties with their dinner jacket, instead of wearing a neck tie. Some military institutions also incorporate bow ties in their outfit.
Author Resource:-
The Bow Tie Lady is the author of this article on Bow Ties.
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