The bowtie dates back to the seventeenth century when Croatians wore this style during the 7 Years War. Though this was done for more practicality than fashion, where Croat merchants used a piece of fabric to close the opening of their shirt. By the 18th and the 19th centuries the bowtie became a fashion statement for the upper class in France.

Three Types of Bow Ties

• Self Tie: Also known as the freestyle, this bowtie is tied every time you put it on. Known for its classic appeal and its organic look. This type of bow tie is preferred and most will not wear any other types of bow ties.
• Clip On: Often only worn by children, this is a pre-tied bow-tie clips on the collar.
• Pre-Tied: Similar to the clip-on this bow tie is already tied before it is put on. Pre-tied bow-ties have an adjustable strap that lies beneath one’s collar. Due to the uniformity of this tie it is can be easy to know that this is not a self tied bow tie.

Bow Tie Styles

The shape of your bow tie is just as important as the fabric and pattern of your bowtie. There are five classic shapes to consider when styling ones his outfit.

• The Butterfly: This is the most common style of the bow tie. The reason for its popularity is due to the shape being suitable for most face shapes. The shape is not too wide so it doesn’t overpower any shirt making it a go to for any occasion.
• The Big Butterfly: A larger and more relaxed version of the traditional butterfly. It measures 3 inches in height whereas the butterfly measures at 2.3 inches. This style is recommended for over the top and formal occasions with a tuxedo. Don’t sport this tie to such events as brunch or a horse race. Furthermore, it is not suited for a man with a smaller frame but rather it is best worn by a man with significant height and/or weight.
• The Diamond Tip: As the names states, the edges of the fabric are not flat but are of a diamond, pointed shape. This style is an asymmetrical look where only one side of the bow tie shows the diamond shape. The diamond tip is becoming increasingly popular and gives a unique look to an old fashion statement.
• The Batwing: This style of bow tie became famous after it was sported by Don Corleone in the Godfather. Often referred to as the slim or straight bow tie it is less than two inches in height. This style of bow tie is a more trendy look and is often suited for informal occasions.
• The Rounded Club: For bow tie styles this one is the rarest, making it perfect for the fashion forward man. The rounded club bow tie is rounded at the ends rather than flat. Since this style is not traditional, make sure you do not wear this style at events such as weddings or galas. If one does choose to wear this type of tie make sure that it is paired with a cotton or heavy textile button down.

Bow Tie vs. Neck Tie

It is the age old battle, should one wear and a bow tie or a neck tie? Neckties are perfect for all occasions, from informal to formal. Bowties on the other hand are thought to work best at more elegant and fancier events. When it comes to body types, neck ties do elongate a body. Because of this if one is short it is more preferable to wear a necktie than a bow tie.

Tips In Wearing a Bow-Tie

• Make a bow-tie a statement piece: Woman accessorize with jewelry where men accessorize with bow ties, neck ties, pocket squares and cufflinks. When choosing a bow tie choose a conversation piece. Make the fabric and pattern the focal piece of an outfit.
• Don’t match the bow tie with the pocket square: When having the same pattern and fabric for a pocket square and a bow tie it makes one believe that you got the “two for one special.”
• Pay attention to patterns: If one wears a loud button down they should go for a plain bow tie. If their bow tie is bold then the button down should be simple.
• Different fabrics are for specific locations: Fabrics with a sheen, such as silk and satin are best for formal occasions, such as galas and operas.
• Pick the correct fit: The end of bowties should be aligned with the temples of your face. Never have a bow tie that is so tight that you cannot breath or that your neck folds over the bow tie.
• First invest in black: If one is to only own one bow tie it should be black. A black bow tie will match most outfits and it is the most classic of all the colors.
• Casually wearing bow ties: If one is to wear a bow tie on a everyday basis it must be paired with slacks and button ups with a blazer. Bow ties rarely look good when they are part of an unkempt outfit.
• Wearing a bow-tie comes with responsibility. Fashioning a bow-tie is best explained by James Hill, a owner of the high cotton tie company, who stated "People wear bow ties to make a statement, there is a certain responsibility associated with wearing a bow tie, so I always tell folks to wear it well and behave like a gentleman."

How To Tie a Bow Tie

            The best thing about tying a bow tie is that you want it to look organic. It is not a huge deal if it is not perfect and asymmetrical. Furthermore, by having an imperfect bow tie it shows everyone that you are not wearing a pre-tied or clip on bow tie.

1. Put your collar up and place the bow tie fabric around your neck. One side of the bow tie should be about four to five inches below the other side.
2. Cross the longer end of the bow tie over that of the shorter end, making an “X”.`Pull the longer end under the shorter end with the loop that you created. Like you would in the beginning steps of tying your shoes.
3. Place your index finger on the knot to keep it from getting loose. Fold the short end in half. It should look like half a bow tie.
4. Pull the longer end over the folded part of the bow tie.
5. With the unfolded fabric of the bow tie you will fold it in half.
6. Holding the fold that you just created with one hand, pull the bow tie fabric that is not folded through the loop behind the bow.
7. Adjust the bow tie by pulling firmly on both sides of the bow tie. You can do that by putting your fingers between the loops of the bows and pull forwards at the same time.
8. Center your tie by placing it in the middle of the collar. Make sure the ends of the bow ties are even.

The bowtie dates back to the seventeenth century when Croatians wore this style during the 7 Years War. Though this was done for more practicality than fashion, where Croat merchants used a piece of fabric to close the opening of their shirt. By the 18th and the 19th centuries the bowtie became a fashion statement for the upper class in France.

Three Types of Bow Ties

• Self Tie: Also known as the freestyle, this bowtie is tied every time you put it on. Known for its classic appeal and its organic look. This type of bow tie is preferred and most will not wear any other types of bow ties.
• Clip On: Often only worn by children, this is a pre-tied bow-tie clips on the collar.
• Pre-Tied: Similar to the clip-on this bow tie is already tied before it is put on. Pre-tied bow-ties have an adjustable strap that lies beneath one’s collar. Due to the uniformity of this tie it is can be easy to know that this is not a self tied bow tie.

Bow Tie Styles

The shape of your bow tie is just as important as the fabric and pattern of your bowtie. There are five classic shapes to consider when styling ones his outfit.

• The Butterfly: This is the most common style of the bow tie. The reason for its popularity is due to the shape being suitable for most face shapes. The shape is not too wide so it doesn’t overpower any shirt making it a go to for any occasion.
• The Big Butterfly: A larger and more relaxed version of the traditional butterfly. It measures 3 inches in height whereas the butterfly measures at 2.3 inches. This style is recommended for over the top and formal occasions with a tuxedo. Don’t sport this tie to such events as brunch or a horse race. Furthermore, it is not suited for a man with a smaller frame but rather it is best worn by a man with significant height and/or weight.
• The Diamond Tip: As the names states, the edges of the fabric are not flat but are of a diamond, pointed shape. This style is an asymmetrical look where only one side of the bow tie shows the diamond shape. The diamond tip is becoming increasingly popular and gives a unique look to an old fashion statement.
• The Batwing: This style of bow tie became famous after it was sported by Don Corleone in the Godfather. Often referred to as the slim or straight bow tie it is less than two inches in height. This style of bow tie is a more trendy look and is often suited for informal occasions.
• The Rounded Club: For bow tie styles this one is the rarest, making it perfect for the fashion forward man. The rounded club bow tie is rounded at the ends rather than flat. Since this style is not traditional, make sure you do not wear this style at events such as weddings or galas. If one does choose to wear this type of tie make sure that it is paired with a cotton or heavy textile button down.

Bow Tie vs. Neck Tie

It is the age old battle, should one wear and a bow tie or a neck tie? Neckties are perfect for all occasions, from informal to formal. Bowties on the other hand are thought to work best at more elegant and fancier events. When it comes to body types, neck ties do elongate a body. Because of this if one is short it is more preferable to wear a necktie than a bow tie.

Tips In Wearing a Bow-Tie

• Make a bow-tie a statement piece: Woman accessorize with jewelry where men accessorize with bow ties, neck ties, pocket squares and cufflinks. When choosing a bow tie choose a conversation piece. Make the fabric and pattern the focal piece of an outfit.
• Don’t match the bow tie with the pocket square: When having the same pattern and fabric for a pocket square and a bow tie it makes one believe that you got the “two for one special.”
• Pay attention to patterns: If one wears a loud button down they should go for a plain bow tie. If their bow tie is bold then the button down should be simple.
• Different fabrics are for specific locations: Fabrics with a sheen, such as silk and satin are best for formal occasions, such as galas and operas.
• Pick the correct fit: The end of bowties should be aligned with the temples of your face. Never have a bow tie that is so tight that you cannot breath or that your neck folds over the bow tie.
• First invest in black: If one is to only own one bow tie it should be black. A black bow tie will match most outfits and it is the most classic of all the colors.
• Casually wearing bow ties: If one is to wear a bow tie on a everyday basis it must be paired with slacks and button ups with a blazer. Bow ties rarely look good when they are part of an unkempt outfit.
• Wearing a bow-tie comes with responsibility. Fashioning a bow-tie is best explained by James Hill, a owner of the high cotton tie company, who stated "People wear bow ties to make a statement, there is a certain responsibility associated with wearing a bow tie, so I always tell folks to wear it well and behave like a gentleman."

How To Tie a Bow Tie

            The best thing about tying a bow tie is that you want it to look organic. It is not a huge deal if it is not perfect and asymmetrical. Furthermore, by having an imperfect bow tie it shows everyone that you are not wearing a pre-tied or clip on bow tie.

1. Put your collar up and place the bow tie fabric around your neck. One side of the bow tie should be about four to five inches below the other side.
2. Cross the longer end of the bow tie over that of the shorter end, making an “X”.`Pull the longer end under the shorter end with the loop that you created. Like you would in the beginning steps of tying your shoes.
3. Place your index finger on the knot to keep it from getting loose. Fold the short end in half. It should look like half a bow tie.
4. Pull the longer end over the folded part of the bow tie.
5. With the unfolded fabric of the bow tie you will fold it in half.
6. Holding the fold that you just created with one hand, pull the bow tie fabric that is not folded through the loop behind the bow.
7. Adjust the bow tie by pulling firmly on both sides of the bow tie. You can do that by putting your fingers between the loops of the bows and pull forwards at the same time.
8. Center your tie by placing it in the middle of the collar. Make sure the ends of the bow ties are even.