The Humble Bow Tie

Whether you are dressing up a check shirt, or making sure you stand out at a party, the bow tie is a simple way to show your sartorial intelligence.  It recalls a bygone age of refined elegance and will set you apart from those still clinging onto their skinny ties.

Keep the tie simple and with a modern twist on a classic design.  Above all make sure you have tied the tie yourself.  A well tied bow tie can be difficult to master but is well worth the effort and if it's not perfectly symmetrical, don’t worry!

During the day, team the tie with a clean crisp shirt, waistcoat and jacket.  If its warm enough indoors and the company allows, take off the jacket and roll up your sleeves for a 1940s newspaper boy look.

At night the bow tie comes into its own as the perfect finishing touch to an outfit be it a clean crisp black bow tie for dinner, or a more colourful number for a cocktail party.  After dinner the self tie bow tie is fantastic as the festivities really begin, people relax and top buttons are undone.  With your untied bow tie resting against your sharp dress shirt you will be exuding the rakish charm of James Bond after several Martinis.

Set yourself apart from the masses and pick up on one of the most refined menswear trends.

How to Tie a Bow Tie:

1. Place the bow tie around your neck leaving the left side slightly longer then the right. Cross the left side of the bow tie over the left.
2. Wrap the longer side of the bow tie around the right side near your collar.
3. Fold the end of the other side of the bow so that it looks like a half bow.
4. Just like when tying your shoelaces, wrap the other side of the bow tie around the folded piece of the bow tie.
5. Wrap this side back around, and behind the bow.
6. Pull the end through the loop and tighten the bow by slightly pulling on each side. You are done.

Thanks to www.tie-knots.org