The Bow Tie: A Short History of Men Refusing to Button the Status Quo

The Bow Tie: A Short History of Men Refusing to Button the Status Quo

Few items in menswear inspire as much confidence—or suspicion—as the bow tie. To its fans, it’s a mark of wit, intelligence, and quiet rebellion. To its critics, it’s something worn by magicians, professors, or guys who say things like “actually…” far too often. But love it or mock it, the bow tie has survived centuries of fashion upheaval, and it’s not going anywhere.

So how did this small, symmetrical strip of fabric become such a loaded style statement? Let’s untie the knot.

From Battlefield to Ballroom

The bow tie’s origin story begins not in a jazz club or Ivy League lecture hall, but on the battlefield. In the 17th century, Croatian mercenaries wore neck scarves—called cravats—to keep their shirt collars together. French aristocrats, always on the lookout for something new and vaguely foreign, adopted the look. Before long, the cravat became a staple of European menswear.

As tailoring sharpened and tastes evolved, the cravat slimmed down. By the 18th and early 19th centuries, men were experimenting with different ways to knot neckwear—some wide, some long, some tied into neat little bows. Enter the bow tie: compact, tidy, and less likely to dip into your soup.

The Gentleman’s Shortcut

The bow tie really came into its own during the 19th century, especially among upper-class men who wanted something formal but efficient. While long neckties required careful tying (and frequent adjustment), the bow tie stayed put. It was the low-maintenance option for men who valued polish but weren’t interested in fuss.

By the late 1800s, the bow tie had cemented its role in formalwear. White bow ties became mandatory for white-tie events (the most formal of formal), while black bow ties defined the emerging black-tie dress code. If you’ve ever wondered why tuxedos are sometimes called “black tie,” congratulations—you’ve just solved a trivia question.

Hollywood, Icons, and Rule-Breakers

Like most menswear legends, the bow tie owes much of its staying power to Hollywood and high-profile rebels.

Fred Astaire wore bow ties with effortless charm, often while dancing circles around mere mortals. Winston Churchill made the bow tie look defiant and statesmanlike, proving you could run a war and still dress like a stubborn icon. Frank Sinatra wore one when he wanted to remind people that elegance didn’t require trying too hard.

Then there’s James Bond. While 007 is better known for sleek ties, Sean Connery’s tuxedo-era Bond helped reinforce the bow tie as the ultimate formal power move: compact, confident, and deadly serious.

In more modern times, the bow tie found new champions. Bill Nye the Science Guy turned it into a symbol of intelligence and curiosity. Pharrell made it playful and cool again. Idris Elba wears one like he could disarm you with it. Ryan Gosling occasionally brings it out just to remind everyone he can pull off literally anything. Even Spike Lee has made the bow tie part of his personal uniform—bold, intellectual, and unmistakably his.

The Bow Tie Today

Today, the bow tie lives in an interesting space. It’s no longer mandatory, rarely expected, but always noticed. Wearing one signals intention. You didn’t just get dressed—you decided something.

And despite decades of clip-on controversy (we’re not judging…much), the self-tied bow tie remains the gold standard. Slightly imperfect knots are encouraged; they show you’re human, not a department store mannequin.

In a world of interchangeable suits and identical slim ties, the bow tie stands apart. It’s tradition with a wink. Formal without being stiff. Confident without being loud.

Wear one long enough, and you’ll discover the truth: the bow tie doesn’t make you interesting—it just tells people you probably already are.