Maybe you think of early 20th century men's fashion when you want to combine a bow tie correctly. However, you will be surprised to learn that this style originated among Croatian mercenaries in the 17th century. They wore a cloth to hold their shirts together at the collar. The French upper class took up the clothing style and transformed it into the modern bow tie that all style-conscious men should know today. In 1886, Pierre Lorillard V invented the tuxedo, which gave rise to today's evening wear. So in this guide we will focus on how you can look good in them for almost any occasion.
What can you combine a bow tie with?
Today's men's fashionregarding the tieor bow tie, however, differs from the older styles. Bows with many different colors and patterns have invaded the fashion scene, but pulling off these looks requires careful planning and execution. Mixing colors or patterns that don't clash well will make you look silly and ultimately unfashionable. And we know you want to look elegant with your bow tie. That's why we've put together this guide to help you combine your outfit with a bow tie.
Above all, make sure you don't try toYour suit or outfitto adapt to a fly. It should always be the other way around. This may seem a bit more difficult for those who bought a bold bow tie without thinking about the outfit. However, if you can't find anything in your wardrobe that you can combine with it, we will also show you which shirt goes well with the bow tie. Every decent man should own at least one of these to add to an elegant look. So let's go through the first steps.
Which shirt to choose with it?
So first choose the shirt you are going to wear. This may also be a good time to pick out your suit if you haven't already. However, if it's a neutral color, you don't have to worry about adjusting the bow tie.
Also choose the way you want to tie your bow. You have the option of tying the bow tie yourself, buying a ready-tied one, or choosing a clip-on version. However, if you respect yourself, never wear a clipped bow tie because it is more suitable for children. The pre-made option may be appropriate in a casual setting, but wearing a pre-tied bow tie runs the risk of looking cheap. So if you are a real gentleman, you will always choose the self-image and know how to tie it correctly.
Also consider the event you are attending to help make your decision. If you are going to a formal or semi-formal occasion, you should know whether a black bow tie is suitable to match the event. The black color is best worn with a clean white shirt, and the same goes for a white bow tie.
Attending an informal evening will allow you to experiment more with your colors, patterns and textures. Keep the nature of the event in mind so that your outfit matches that tone. For example, on casual days or evenings you can combine a red bow tie or a blue bow tie with the appropriate item of clothing.Bow tie and suspendersare also a popular combination that is suitable for such occasions.
Choose the shape and style
Once you're familiar with the right style, you can focus on the shape and size of the bow tie. There are five common styles, among which the “butterfly” and “wing” are most commonly worn. For this reason, we recommend that you stick to one of these two forms. However, if you are feeling daring and the outfit allows it, you can experiment with the other three variations, such as thin and regular diamond lace, as well as the giant butterfly.
texture and fabric
The other two important components when you want to combine a bow tie correctly are texture and fabric. Their choice largely depends on the season and the rest of your outfit. Dense fabrics such as tweed and wool should be reserved for the colder winter months, while lighter fabrics are logically suitable for summer.
When it comes to texture, the first thing you want to do is make sure that it doesn't match the texture of your overall look. Additionally, putting too many textures together will reduce the elegance of your outfit. However, this does not mean that every part has to be made of the same material, but it should at least have a similar textile fiber. An exception is the shirt: a cotton shirt, for example, can be combined with almost any item of clothing and any bow tie.
Choose the right colors and patterns
Color selection is pretty easy, especially if you're familiar with the color wheel. If you have a white or black shirt, you can certainly use any color and even pattern as long as it is appropriate for the occasion. Putting colors together is a little more complicated, but again this is where the color wheel comes into play. However, we recommend keeping the analogous and split complementary colors.
So first look at the color of the shirt you choose and then choose a solid color bow tie in one of these color combinations. Also remember that for the best contrast, your shirt color needs to be lighter or darker than the bow. For example, a pink bow tie is difficult to combine with a white shirt. The only exception to this rule is if you're wearing a solid dark shirt like navy or black.
Patterns add a playful touch to your outfit, but must be chosen carefully. If you want to combine a patterned bow tie correctly, it always goes well with solid colored shirts and suits. However, you should also pay attention to the colors. Choose such an accessory whose pattern color matches or complements the color of your shirt. The background color of your bow tie should not be the same color as your shirt. It needs to contrast with the base color of your shirt.
Mix patterns
The final challenge is to mix the patterns. To do this, it is best to choose a shirt and a bow tie with different sized patterns and never combine a shirt with the same elements. The rule applies here too: to create a contrast so that the garment does not lose its visual properties.
The shiny bow tie is best suited for formal occasions, while matte versions are more casual. Fashion experts say it's acceptable to pair a colorful bow tie with a sweater, as long as the sweater is layered over a nice collared shirt. Also, try not to achieve extreme contrasts that create optical illusions or are hard to look at when properly combining a bow tie.
