The bow tie has always been a significant staple in men’s wardrobes. Since the 1870s the shape of the bow tie has hardly changed, after originating from the square clothes folded into triangles and knotted around the neck. There is something great about bow ties. Wearing one always attracts plenty of compliments and has been favoured by many of the greats – most notably Winston Churchill. In practical terms they are never soiled with food remains at business lunches, and it is the only alternative equally smart attire for one who dislikes standard neck ties.
However, over recent years it has diminished in its popularity, favoured now only for black tie where it is de rigour, or by eccentric professors and the older generation in seaside care homes. This is down to one simple reason: most men do not know how to tie one. Come Christmas time customers and people wondering down the street alike, flood in to the shop late in the day asking for their bow ties to be tied. Across the country wives, girlfriends and friends are burdened with the arduous task of tying their respective male counterpart’s bow tie. Hence over time their appearance has been greatly reduced and shifted from the norm to the unusual. To the extent that today some men in the public eye use a bow tie as their signature mark, as it catches the attention of the audience and makes them stand out just a little.
