Bow tie: types, sizes, how to choose and what to wear?

A bow tie is an indispensable accessory for bartenders and not only. From the very beginning of its inception, this stylish and historically interesting clothing attribute has undergone many metamorphoses. An indispensable accessory that has become a traditional element of men's wardrobe, as a polysemantic symbol, it is endowed with many subtle meanings-codes.

This original attribute owes its origin to the French king Louis XIV and the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648. In these turbulent times, the participants in the battles wore and pinned a special scarf at the top of the shirt collar so that the collar would not open. The direct purpose of this piece of tissue on the neck was, in addition to elegance, its additional protection of the area of ​​the body sensitive to cold. The idea was to the taste of the king, and then of the entire court nobility. So the attribute became an indispensable and fashionable accessory of the aristocracy, spreading to the entire elite of French society.

In addition, the device has become a convenient place for men to place various honorary military and religious regalia, as well as jewelry. In addition, the neck, as an erogenous part of the body, always attracts the special attention of others. Thus, the accessory, which had already become popular from the very beginning, received a double meaning, becoming an element of military uniforms (in its utilitarian meaning) and an element of secular decorative ornaments... After some time, having lost its direct purpose, the accessory, riveting eyes to the neck, began to be used to a greater extent as an elegant accent.

Gradually, butterflies (mostly black) have become an integral attribute of men's uniforms, informing about the guarantee of decent treatment, special respect for the client. A striking example of the importance of uniforms, entrenched at the beginning of the 19th century, was the relationship between servants and their aristocratic owners. In fact, a person, dressed in a uniform, received the status of a confidant, in charge of servants of a lower rank.

In the context of modern society, this connection between customers and service personnel in a bow tie emphasizes the leading status position of the customer. Besides, butterfly, as a specific attribute, contributes to the formation of a special aura, calling for the need to observe certain rituals of dealing with clients in a delicate manner. In reality, a certain customer expectation is formed - the staff with a bow tie, which means that the service process must correspond to a high class.

But the accessory is not so simple - while maintaining its specific duality, it made the traditional costume formal, on the one hand, and on the other hand, formed a certain elegance and gracefulness of the image. It is for this reason that representatives of the creative professions and the bourgeoisie began to wear the bow tie - the tie became a symbol of the unification of different estates and classes.

The fashion for an unusual accessory has grown tremendously, becoming a real boom, after the performance in Milan, Italy (1904), of Puccini's opera Cio-cio-san, where theatrical musicians, at the direction of the orchestra conductor, dressed in tuxedos and butterflies... For obvious reasons, the demand for the newfangled product has increased significantly. Since then, the butterfly has become not only a popular attribute among the bourgeoisie, but also an indicator of refined taste.

The twentieth century brought significant changes to the semantics of the attribute, the breadth of its application began to go beyond the boundaries of a typical wardrobe. It has become an essential piece of clothing for a number of well-known personalities. Remember only the bow tie of W. Churchill, K. Lagerfeld, C. Chaplin, D. Bond, V. Mayakovsky, F. Astaire, F. Sinatra and even some cartoon characters. The media also played an active role in this process, making many images recognizable.

The function of the bow tie has become a kind of selection, an elevation above everyday banality and everyday life. In the culture of the West and North America, such an elevation is often taken for excessive elegance and a kind of challenge. A person can be called a snob who cares only about himself. In fact, this is not the case, since the desire to culturally stand out in a certain setting is quite natural. For example, there is a perception that you should not come to a business interview wearing an accessory. But a lot depends on the specific situation - you make the final decision.

Around the 20s. the last century, the accessory loses its gender identity. Suffice it to recall M. Dietrich and K. Hepburn, who boldly and harmoniously introduced men's clothing into the image, such an innovation also affected bow ties. The male butterfly has also become a female adornment.

It is important to understand that in the context of style, the use of a butterfly is a tactical element that encloses a fashionable image... The attribute is dually associated with everyday and original, and with a uniform, and with an elegant suit, as a final touch to a balanced fashionable image. Modern practice shows a somewhat negative attitude towards butterflies on the part of business people, bank employees or lawyers. But people of art, intellectuals quite like this element of clothing.

There is a certain specialization in the application of varieties of butterflies, determined by a specific event. For example, wedding butterflies. However, the style rules do not impose restrictions on their compatibility with fabric dyes. Popular and traditional black satin products, and trendy youth, made of natural wood. An attribute is classified according to its forms and methods of attachment. There are such forms.

1. Butterfly - classic with a standard size of 6.5 cm.
2. Large butterfly - an enlarged version of the previous type, with a size of no more than 8.5 cm.
3. Modified butterfly - with a modified cross-link and folds, W. Churchill's model.
4. Batwing - species under the bat (D. Bond).

By the features of the mount:

• self-languages, allowing you to create with nodes (often bilateral);
• in finished form, fastened with elastic tapes on a clasp;
• using clothespins (method of fastening with a metal hairpin).

A special category is presented by exclusive, home-made types of products from atypical materials - aluminum, knitted, silicone, glass. Here are some other types.

• Kanzashi - collected from ribbons, for a business style, decorated with beaded or other patterns. They look stylish and elegant, fit a specific image. Sometimes they are made of satin ribbons, with the selection of fabrics for a specific suit.

• Double - double layer butterfly. It can combine a number of colors, which gives the product volume. Various fabrics are used.

• Butterflies on an elastic bandallowing you to adjust the volume of the neck.

• English version with UK state standard. English dandies wear plaid jewelry.

• Italian variants, often made of leather, do not quite harmonize with ordinary suits. They are often made of expensive, high quality materials.

• Butterflies with embroidery often worn by nationalist individuals, as well as sophisticated men. Handcrafted items are eye-catching but expensive. Typically, patterned designs or folk ornaments are embroidered. Other options are possible - names, numbers, memorable dates. Worn with suits and shirts of the same tone.

• Butterflies with sequins, shiny, patterned glitter grains, partially or completely covering the surface. Put on for the holidays.

• For carnivals and New Years - are made of shiny patterned materials. For example, carnival in the Partymania style are original and unique.

• Extravagant checkered butterflies look great when combined with plaid shirts or suit sets.

The sizes of accessories are classified by age. Distinguish between products for children and adults. Their sizes also vary in style:

• standard of classic types - up to 15 cm long;
• mini butterflies - 8-10 cm;
• children 6-7 cm.

Width:

• classic types - 5.5 or 6 cm;
• in narrow adult models - up to 3 cm;
• in children's forms - 23 cm.

The materials for the manufacture of these original products are extremely diverse. For any costumes, you can choose the appropriate accessory. There are leather goods, aluminum, glass and knitted options.

Accessories have become traditional materials in this sense:

• cotton;
• made of artificial leather;
• satin;
• silk;
• woolen.

Of the many colors for butterflies, the leading ones are: blue, gray, black, peach, burgundy, various shades of red, purple, green, yellow and orange. Butterflies are painted in turquoise, emerald, pale pink or white. The popular type of coloring remains the "strip" in its various variants - vertical, horizontal, diagonal.

Before buying a butterfly, it is useful to consider the characteristics of the costume. As already mentioned, the costume fabric and the butterfly material should be the same. It is better to purchase a product with a clasp, as it will help to adjust the volume of the neck. Focus on the color of the product, it should be slightly lighter or darker than the shirt, that is, stand out.If the accessory is velvet, then it is important to choose a suit for it.

At their price, butterflies are divided into 4 categories:

• low-cost products - up to 1200 rubles;
• medium - 1200-1500 rubles;
• medium-high - 2500-4000 rubles;
• high - from 4000 r.

It is recommended to take a shirt with a split collar and medium, obtuse (cutaway) or right (kent) corners for the bow tie. Such moderation is required, since the extreme variants, called "shark", have a deliberately widely spread edges, which subsequently does not look very balanced. For narrow collars, you need to take narrower butterflies, small in size. Button-down collars are quite compatible with these attributes. This combination is typical of the "preppy" style. We also point out here the special wing collar, perfectly combined exclusively with official products made of light or black silk.

The bow tie should be worn with shirts in combination with vests, jackets, sweaters, cardigans. Braces can also be used. In such combinations, the accessory is perceived softly and organically, without causing unnecessary associations associated with the service personnel. In other words, the desired organicity is achieved if the modest section of the shirt remains visible, and the collar is elegantly pulled together by a fastened bow tie with a clasp.

Jacket options with two buttons can be perceived inharmoniously, since bow ties, in comparison with typical ties, provide for excessive openness without covering the button strips. It is more convenient to use vests, three-button jackets or cardigans. Various style directions are chosen, except tasteless (within which you will begin to look disharmonious).

An attribute in a complex with retro clothing, suits made of woolen fabrics will be absolutely out of place. A well-chosen accessory will make an excellent impression along with a good English style for out-of-town trips. A tweed jacket, hat or cap, checkered shirt (like "tetesol") will be a wonderful backdrop for an accessory. If you prefer preppy style, with bright trousers, jackets, loafers and button-down shirts, you can stylishly complement your clothes with an original bow tie.

Various experiments with fashionable things are quite appropriate here. It is only important not to go beyond the stylish tone. We will also mention the black-tie dress code here. Attend the evening celebrations in black silk butterflies.

The male population of big cities is boldly, confidently experimenting with a stylish attribute. In women in wardrobes, he often just gathers dust, but in vain. Some girls wear it with dignity with various types of clothes and even with ordinary jeans. Nowadays, cotton, woolen, and linen accessories are especially relevant. At the peak of fashion are prints "flowers", small polka dots, etc. Here are some stylish examples.

• This combination of a purple velvety double-breasted blazer and a bow tie is a sophisticated and elegant gentlemanly style. Add a touch of style to this look by wearing a pair of black leather loafers.

• A combination of a dark blue suit and a bow tie looks a win-win, forming a slightly relaxed, stylish look.A pair of black leather oxford shoes will be the ideal accompaniment for this look.

• A white blazer and a bow tie are a combination that every stylish girl should have in her wardrobe. Black leather oxford shoes are a stylish addition to this look.

• A dark red suit with a bow tie is an absolutely gentleman's set that allows you to form expressive images. Dark suede loafers add a touch of sophistication.

Next, watch a video on how to choose and with what to wear a bow tie.