Quote: (08-22-2012 10:54 PM)Stitch Wrote:
1) If you're going to do it, do it right. Learn to tie the thing or don't do it at all. I've had a number of women be (surprisingly, to me) impressed that I tie my own rather than having a clip-on or a pre-tied. Besides which, as the night goes on, if you untie it for late-night drinks you get that much more panache (it could be argued that untying it at all is uncivilized, but from my experience as the night gets late and you sit around with drinks talking shit into the wee hours, the bowtie comes untied and your stock goes up).
2) Make sure you have the face and demeanor for it. Just a little hint toward "baby face" or weakness and a bowtie will make you look either effeminate or comical. That's still workable, but where it seems most successful is with the '50s brat-pack or Bond look: fairly strong (not overly rugged; "ape in a tuxedo" doesn't work that well), masculine, but confident.
Still, in the right environment with the right tux (or even some suits), a self-tied bowtie can be very strong.
Sadly, no suggestions on where to buy, but make sure it's good silk (I like matte, but others may differ) and think a bit beforehand on what you want it to look like. In my opinion a more slimline style (slim batswing, not a big fluffy butterfly but widening more than a straight ribbon) just looks a lot better and less dandyish. Similarly, I personally don't like diamond-pointed ends, but I'm sure opinions vary.
Very environmentally dependent (you CAN show up at a bar in a sportscoat and bowtie, but it's harder to pull off) but in more formal environments, it's a good, classic look.
What's a good price range for a respectable bow tie?