The bow tie is back: add a formal flourish to your look, à la Jeremy Allen White or Prince William
- Try Loewe, Dolce & Gabbana, Brunello Cucinelli or Thom Browne for classic bow ties in black or white, or Favourbrook for something less traditional
Timelessness is an important factor when making a fashion-related investment – and the bow tie only seems to get better with age.
A quintessential formal accessory, the bow tie dates back to the 17th century when Croatian soldiers would tie a lightweight scarf to keep together the collar of their dress shirts. At the end of the Thirty Years’ War, French soldiers brought the look back home with them, and by the 1700s neckties had been widely adopted by the aristocracy. The look continued to evolve – from the stock tie of the early 1700s to the Ascot of the early 1800s – until, towards the middle of the 19th century, the classic, neat silhouette we all know came to the fore.
Today, the bow tie adds an elegant final touch to formal dress codes like black or white tie. It’s also been adopted by a number of famous figures throughout history. Charlie Chaplin often wore a bow tie, as did Fred Astaire. Winston Churchill, meanwhile, bought his trademark spotted silk bow tie from British shirtmaker Turnbull & Asser to remind him of his father, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill, with whom Winston had had a difficult relationship.
Challengers star Mike Faist is also a fan. He styled his black silk bow tie at May’s Met Gala with a Loewe radish brooch, while Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons rocked up in a bow tie with a Thom Browne suit.•
Meanwhile, at a White House Correspondents’ Dinner after party, long-time bow tie fan Bill Nye the Science Guy was photographed adjusting the tie of fellow guest, actor Chris Pine, who matched his white silk number to his evening jacket.
The bow tie has remained an essential accessory in royal circles, too. Prince William is often seen wearing a black model at formal dinners and events, like the British Academy Film Awards in February, during which he coordinated with a velvet navy jacket with peak lapels and a white pocket square, along with a matching button-down shirt, dark trousers and patent dress shoes.
