Bow Tie

The bow tie is a type of men's necktie that dates back to the 17th century. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops. Ready-tied bow ties are available, in which the distinctive bow is sewn into shape and the band around the neck incorporates a clip. The traditional bow tie, consisting of a strip of cloth which the wearer has to tie by hand, may be known as a "self-tie," "tie-it-yourself," or "freestyle" bow tie to distinguish it from these. Bow ties may be made of any fabric material, but most are made from silk, polyester, cotton, or a mixture of fabrics.

Bow tie wearing can be a notable characteristic for an individual. Men's clothier Jack Freedman told The New York Times that wearing a bow tie "is a statement maker" that identifies a person as an individual because "it's not generally in fashion". The Wall Street Journal quoted statistics from the Neckwear Association of America showing that bow ties represent 3 percent of the 100 million ties sold each year in the United States, most of them part of formal wear, such as a tuxedo. Outside of the formal wear industry, bow ties are rather "cult like" right now, appealing only to the fastest in the "in crowd", but watch for it to gain popularity over the next few years....and get yours at Chelsea!