Bow Ties: Cool, or Weird?

[Dreadnought]

I've though about sporting a bow tie when I need to dress semi-formally, such as holidays, and maybe to a few social events that have certain dress requirements. Do you think it's weird for a guy to wear a bow tie, pretty cool and trendy, or just apathetic? Do ladies like or dislike bow ties?

 

[Skwink]

For me, Bow Ties are reserved for the most formal events.

 

[civ_king]

Depends on the event that determines the other stuff

 

[Ajidica]

It depends. You can either carry it off like Bond, or look like a failed hipster like Matt Smith as the Doctor.

 

[shadowplay]

Unless you're Bill Nye the science guy or refereeing a boxing match, you look weird and pretentious wearing a bow-tie outside of an ultra formal occasion.

 

[Zelig]

It depends. You can either carry it off like Bond, or look like a failed hipster like Matt Smith as the Doctor.

Basically this.

None of you guys could wear bow ties.

 

[mrt144]

Are you a young conservative?

(yes, you are, ergo bowties are in like Flynn for you)

 

[madviking]

I don't see what are so bad about bow ties.

 

[7ronin]

Bowties are okay but not everyone can carry it off outside of a formal event.

 

[mrt144]

Tucker Carlson is a bow-tie wearing kinda guy.

 

[amadeus]

It varies from person to person.

Rather...

...it is the bolo tie to which we should direct our scorn, and in particular the ridiculous-looking bolo tie-wearer Ken Salazar. I'm not interested or knowledgeable about the man's politics, but the bolo tie and three-gallon hat must go.

 

[squall78]

reminds me too much of the help when people wear these.

 

[jtb1127]

I hate them unless it's for formal purposes.

 

[azzaman333]

Cool for a select few, none of whom are likely to be posting on CFC.

 

[mayor]

not true,

everyone can get away with a bow tie.
You just have to make sure it is a good one... and that it matches with your tuxedo or perhaps a suit.
Also the suit/toxedo shouldn't be the out of date sort of thing, blocks/some undefined colour etc.

and people should only wear a bow tie when it's a formal event....and even then thikn it over carefully. If you go to a semi formal family event I suggest sticking with regular ties.

 

[Patroklos]

I wear bowties a lot, but that depends on where you are. There is a difference between being slightly archaic in a charming way and then just being utterly different to be different. If you are in the South or New England it can bring out a touch of class, if you are in rural Ohio you just look like a showy snob. I find that if you are in a coastal town they usually go over well (Charleston, Savannah, Wilmington, Norfolk, Newport, etc.)

As for formality, that is not always the case. A silk black bowtie is for tuxedos of course, but a nice print or knit item is fine for a sprorts jacket and slacks. If you would wear a tie, you can wear a bowtie.

As always though, if you are going to wear something a little out of the ordinary you have to own it. You can't wear it and treat it like a costume piece and expect to be taken seriously in it.

 

[Leoreth]

I think you need a lot of inherent coolness to be able to pull it off outside of formal occasions. Else you look like the first guy amadeus posted.

 

[mayor]

I wear bowties a lot, but that depends on where you are. There is a difference between being slightly archaic in a charming way and then just being utterly different to be different. If you are in the South or New England it can bring out a touch of class, if you are in rural Ohio you just look like a showy snob. I find that if you are in a coastal town they usually go over well (Charleston, Savannah, Wilmington, Norfolk, Newport, etc.)

As for formality, that is not always the case. A silk black bowtie is for tuxedos of course, but a nice print or knit item is fine for a sprorts jacket and slacks. If you would wear a tie, you can wear a bowtie.

Do not completely agree with that.
for ties I agree with you point about prints etc. for bow ties not however.
I also don't agree with you arguing that you can wear a bow tie if you would wear a tie.
I could get away with wearing a tie in daily live but if I would wear a bow tie people would look funny at that (so would I acctually).
and if you combine the two, wearing a printed bow tie in daily life, well... people would look even more funny.

But that might just be a difference in (sub)culture...

As always though, if you are going to wear something a little out of the ordinary you have to own it. You can't wear it and treat it like a costume piece and expect to be taken seriously in it.

I completely agree with this

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I regard bowties and ties like eyebrow piercings: they are silly, ugly and not for me, but I won't judge you if you wear one.

 

[Antilogic]

I don't care for the look. Give me a standard tie with a decent knot any day (not those really tight and terrible off-center knots).