Bow Ties: Origination and Different Types

Lovisa Alvin
3 min readSep 1, 2015

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Are you in a dilemma of picking the right neck tie for your newly bought suit? Often men complain of not having enough outfits to choose from. You don’t have to worry anymore. You can change the look of your suit at least.

Why not try a bow tie? Bow ties are the new thing in the market. It denotes class, style and gives a rich and sophisticated look. You have to dare to step outside your comfort zone because the right bow tie can remodel your look completely.

Before we discuss the different types of bow ties available in the market, let us go back to history and trace its origination.

Origination of Bow ties

The bow tie dates back to as early as the 17th century in Croatia. Neck wear called cravats, similar to scarves were worn by the mercenaries to bind their collars. As time passed, they were adapted by the upper French class citizens who influenced fashion during those days. Slowly, they took the form of bow ties.

In the first part of the century, they were a vital component. Later in the 1900s, the whole concept of bow ties changed. They were only worn by the professionals, such as surgeons and the men in the academic sector. After the Second World War, the bow ties again stepped in the world of fashion and in today’s world it is a symbol of style and class. Men are including them with the outfit it suits best. Choose from the different types listed below.

Different Types of Bow Ties

Self-Tie bow tie:

This is the most classic tie that has to be tied manually. It renders charm and quirkiness that are incomparable to the pre-tied ones. Also known as the freestyle bow tie, the self tie has a uniqueness of its own. Men often wear it loosely to attract attention from women.
Pre-tied bow tie

The next tie is the pre-tied bow tie which usually is available with an adjustable neck strap. So, next time when you are in a hurry, you can wear it quickly to achieve that perfect look. However, many are of the view that its stiffness and too-perfect look is a disadvantage. They say that it gives a dimension and lots of knowledge about the person’s character.
But, if you are an adolescent who wants to try it out for some party, it will not be bad option.

Clip-on bow tie:

The most common bow tie among children and infants is the clip n bow tie. Clip-on bow tie is a pre-tied tie that comes with a metal clasp that hooks directly onto the collar of your shirt. But it should be avoided, if you are an adult. Always try wearing the self-tie bow tie. Remember they give a man the best look.

However, if you have any fears or views regarding the same, you can leave your valuable suggestions in the comment box below.

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