Feelings on bow ties for casual wear.

[Brent k]

Went out the other week to a casino club and three of my buddies wore pre-tied bow ties. Also had a Christmas party at my house and a few also wore bow ties with OCBD shirts. Granted they were all pre-tied express bow ties with suit jackets and untucked shirts but still gave me an idea that I could wear one around the holidays and maybe spring/summer.

Thinking about a grey wool self tie bow tie to be specific maybe cotton or linen for warmer weather.

What collar type? Can you wear one under a crew neck sweater with a button down? Overall sentiments?

[Jamie]

There was a thread about this a few months ago, or at least a discussion. I'm a fan, and say give it a shot - but for the love all that is holy, please do self-tie and do whatever you can to change the ways of your non-self-tying friends (actually, that would probably be a dick move, but its a huge pet peeve of mine - its really not that hard to tie one).

They tend to look best with a button-down collar, like an OCBD, but you can wear one with a point collar too. Not sure I'd pair with a crew neck sweater, but definitely a v-neck.

[Fred G. Unn]

they were all pre-tied express bow ties

[frost]

Fred's on the money with the animated gifs lately...

Yes, some guys can pull it off, but it's a trend and a tired one at that.

[Brent k]

I think I will give a wool self tied one a shot. Why not.

[shad0w4life]

I just ordered a grey with blue plaid type one from the tie bar to have fun with. So I'm on the go for it boat.

For the love of god, don't use a button down collar

[JGL]

Keep the shirt tucked in when wearing a tie.

[Fred G. Unn]

I actually don't mind bow ties, but currently I only have a black grosgrain tie. If you're gonna wear a bow tie though and you're over the age of 12, you absolutely need to tie it yourself. Pre-tied Express ties just sound like sartorial hell.

[Brent k]

Keep the shirt tucked in when wearing a tie.

Untucked shirts, suit jackets with jeans, pre-tied bow ties, cheapo dress shoes....it was horrible.

Oh and one buddy black 3pc suit minus jacket, black dress shirt, pink tie.

[Emperor]

Give it a shot but don't go Untucked

[Shade]

I'm not a fan of bow ties at all, except with a tux, but if you do, always go tucked with a non-button collared shirt, and always tie it yourself.

[zcm]

Untucked shirts, suit jackets with jeans, pre-tied bow ties, cheapo dress shoes....it was horrible.

Oh and one buddy black 3pc suit minus jacket, black dress shirt, pink tie.

I try to not pass judgment on others when it comes to clothes (at least not vocally or in a public forum). Especially because I know the way that I used to dress. But this makes me want to vomit. Woof!

[Fred G. Unn]

For the love of god, don't use a button down collar

always go tucked with a non-button collared shirt

Really? I usually associate bow ties with a Trad/Ivy kind of look which almost always has a button down collar. Except for formal bow ties, which of course would never go with a button down, I'm sort of used to seeing them with button down collars. I just scrolled through the Drake's tumblr and in the first 5 pages they show 2 bow ties, both with button downs, although the second one is a sprezzed out unbuttoned look. I suppose they work either way but I was surprised that y'all said don't wear them with a button down. I don't wear them though so maybe I'm off base here.

[Shade]

Yeah, I'm just not a fan of the bow tie for myself. I feel awkward in them, but some people can pull them off really well. I always see them as a more traditionally formal piece of clothing, like a cummerbund. I see a lot of athletes and musicians in the last few years, with a bow tie, sweater vest, and non-prescription black rimmed glasses donning them, and it just looks silly to me now. Almost fake, like they are playing dress up or wearing a costume. I worked with a guy in early 2000 that only wore bow ties, and he pulled it off well. To each their own though. I read an article on GQ not too long ago, where it stated that button collared shirts aren't even really appropriate with tie, as it is a "casual" article of clothing, and if you wear one, it should only be worn with a blazer and not a suit, and button down collars should never be worn to a funeral or wedding. I think that's a bit much, but what do I know. Everybody has their own style, and that makes things interesting.

[Duvel]

They're definitely attention-getters. But I hate them myself.