It is said that the bow tie originated during the 17th century during the Prussian war where Croatian mercenaries used a scarf to hold their shirt together around their neck. This style was then adopted by the French, that they called 'Cravats' (from the word Croat), by the French Upper Class. The fashion then flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries.
There is a historical gap between whether the cravat evolved into the bow tie, or into the neck tie and then in turn the bow tie. However, the traditional bow tie is sized and of a fixed length although adjustable and ready made styles are also widely available but less formal.
Types of bow tie:
- Batwing
- Thistle
- Single-ended
Top tips:
1. When wearing a wing collar, if you want to look smarter than the average Joe, go for a batwing collar. This style that originated in the 1930s will give you that extra touch of class.
2. When dressing for White Tie, where a detachable wing collar is required, it is advised that you wear a sized, self tie bow tie for a more polished look as you cannot see the clip if you were to wear a ready made or adjustable bow tie.
3. Always tie your bow tie yourself, a self tied bow tie looks so much smarter than a ready made, and if you can't it's a skill that all well dressed gentlemen should have. Check out our 'How to tie a bow tie' video below if you need a helping hand.
4. And finally, have fun with them! Bow ties are a great way to add colour and flair to any day to day outfit.