Different Styles of Bow Ties

[Bugbear]

I just noticed that one of my bow ties is not tapered on the ends that extend passed the collar area; it's twisted and sewn in the middle to make the part that goes around the neck smaller, but the tails are the same width from that point to the end. My other bow tie is tapered from three inches wide at the ends down to about an inch and a quarter where it meats the collar. The two ties are not made of the same kind or feel of material either, and the non-tapered tie is not as wide as the tapered tie. I've read of diamond pointed ends on bow ties, and other variations.

So, what are your favorite styles of bow ties with the different styles of Highland attire?
How do you choose a tie for a certain outfit?

[Mael Coluim]

Interesting observations, Ted. I am more familiar with different width of bow ties as shown here at Beau Ties Ltd. I perfer the standard. I tend to go with a solid or strip tie when wearing with my kilt.

[McMurdo]

I have a few most of mine are the standard shape but one that I bought a few years ago has no real taper to it. It is just a straight tie. I tend to wear the standard ones more. The only solid bow tie I'd wear is black for evening wear. Any other bow tie IMHO should be patterned somehow, a stripe a paisley etc.

[Bugbear]

I see the tapered bow ties are called butterfly and the non-tapered are streight; that makes sense.

[Bugbear]

I guess I would like to have a bow tie that is mostly brown with tan and those kinds of colors and maybe a bit of red. I would like for it to have a twill texture.

I recall one of my grandfathers having a kakhi and tan bow tie that had a twill weave look to it.

[pdcorlis]

Hi Ted

You may have most of these links already - but here's a few places to look for Bow Ties. Prices range from reasonable to outrageous (IMHO) - I hope this helps.

http://www.greatbows.com/store/index.asp
http://www.buyyourties.com/
http://www.mainebows.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
http://www.bowtieclub.com/

[Bugbear]

Thanks, pdcorlis.

[Bugbear]

I've been looking over the way my streight bow tie is constructed.

As far as I can tell, it is made from a single strip of fabric that is cut parallel to the grain (not on the bias); folded in half along the length; then seamed along the open edge and the ends.

It is, of course, then turned outside in. And like I said before, the middle part that is around the neck is folded over itself in a couple of twists and sewn down.

I think I can reproduce that in any number of materiels.

I tride an experiment and took a strip of cotton material that was folded in half (not sewn), and was able to tie a bow that was all right. So I'm thinking I could probably do this with the right streight edge and a bit of careful sewing...

[Iain Robb]

Keep us posted, Ted, and make sure you include pictures. I, at least, am interested in making a bow tie or three ...

[Old Hippie]

I, at least, am interested in making a bow tie or three ...

The easiest way to get started is to "tie one on" and once it's adjusted properly (assuming it's adjustable), take it off and measure it for length.

Then figure out how long the raw fabric would be, and make your own pattern based on those measurements.

Most of the pattern manufacturers have at least one set of patterns for men's accessories: bow tie, neck tie, cummerbunds, pocket squares and so on. Here's two:

McCall's 2447
Vogue 7104

I have some fairly basic instructions that I've developed for making my own ties. Anyone who's interested, PM me. It's a tie-on tie, not a clip-on or a hook in back style -- although you could make it a hook in back style very easily and only have to tie it once.

:ootd: