Hey, Bow Ties are In?

Who knew. I mean, if you see Bow Ties on the Jonas Brothers and the Gossip Girl, they must be in, right? 

Of course, this raises a question: The whole point of wearing a Bow Tie used to their inherent contrarianism. Can you be in and out at once? 

I used to wear Bow Ties when I MC'd our conferences and introduced speakers. Somehow, in the era of anti-suit millionaire techies in their self-conscious uniforms of Gap khaki's, t-shirts and suit jackets, it was my own anti-anti-statement while introducing a option-aire trying to look urban grunge. Anyway, here is a video on how to tie a Bow Tie courtesy of WSJ.com in case you want to be in. Or out. Whichever. 

Comments

[Chris Hall]

I started wearing my father's old 1940s and 1950s bow ties in the early 1970s, in high school, because nothing could have been more archaic and, therefore, rebellious at that time.

But within a few years I was horrified to see TV celebrities such as Bill Cullen and Merv Griffin wearing outsized, mid-late 1970s versions of bow ties (to match the wide lapels of the time), so I mothballed my bow ties for a couple of decades and, apart from a few tentative appearances in the last few years, they have stayed there.

If they're coming back now, though, I guess they have to stay hidden. As you say, "the whole point of wearing a Bow Tie used to be their inherent contrarianism." There aren't many avenues remaining for a stylish anarchist. I'm pleased that I can still tie a bow tie on a moment's notice, just as my father taught me when I was 17.

[Chris Hall]

And as a footnote, the Jonas Brothers seem to be from the town I currently live in (Wyckoff, NJ), and that is likely to be the town's only claim to fame for many years to come.

I question whether their wearing bow ties with formal wear constitutes a true fashion statement. Based on recent semi-formal events I have attended in New York City, most men wearing tuxedos still favor a bow tie over a straight tie.

Still, you've got me thinking about wearing my bow ties more frequently. And seeking out some new ones.