Bowties and Brotherhood
Everywhere I go, I’ve always encountered at least one person who owns and wears at least one bowtie. These people tend to have the same style that I have. I find this very interesting, but I’ve never really inquired deeper as to why that is the case. When I meet these people, there’s usually an instant bromance that forms between me and the other awfully stylish person (but only when their bowtie is a self-tie). This feeling of mutual pride and respect helps me form bonds and friendships with other bowtie addicts.
Bowties are an excellent conversation starter. It’s right in your face, and it sets you apart from others who may be dressed up. You could be wearing the most flashy necktie in the room; but if everyone else is wearing a necktie, it just isn’t as special. That’s another reason I wear bowties: they aren’t as common. They stand out and separate you from the rest, making people curious and, thus, prompt them to ask you about it, giving you an opportunity to start more conversations and make more friends.
It’s the act of being unique that makes people remember you. Just the other day I had an interview to which I wore a bowtie. Almost half of the interview consisted of me and the interviewer having a grand time talking about our bowties and our different experiences with them. Even though I ended up not accepting the job, I’ll know that I left a mark on his conscience.
I think that knowing that you’re not the only one with this style combined with knowing that you’re a rare breed is what forms the bond between bowtie wearer and bowtie wearer. We don’t have to know everything about each other to have pride in what we wear and to have mutual respect for one another. We are a small community, but it doesn’t matter; we know what we’re about. And we know we’ll spread the gospel.
Protected: Villanelle–Trees in the Fall
Protected: Sonnet–SJSU Roomies
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Protected: blank verse–bow ties are cool
Another bow tie
This happens to be the second bow tie that I’ve ever bought and the first one I’ve ever bought from eBay. The main color is forest green, and there are small, white polka dots contained in it. The outfit I’m wearing with this one is a white shirt, khaki slacks, and a brown belt and shoes. I must’ve tied and retied this bow tie a hundred times. I’m not quite sure why I didn’t practice on any other one, but I made it a rule to not touch my other bow ties until I’d gotten good at tying this one.
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A Cleaner, Better Future
Neckties are quite a hassle to clean. You have to wash them a certain way, dry them a certain way, and even take care of them a certain way. For me, if you spill something on a necktie, it’s game over because the stain is never really going to come out. The necktie dangles all the way down to your beltline, and with all that surface area, it’s almost impossible to keep them entirely food- and liquid-free. If I look closely, I can find some kind of stain from a food or liquid on every single necktie that I own. I did the same thing with my bow ties, and so far, after all their use, there isn’t a single blemish on any of them. This definitely convinced me that bow ties are just more convenient than neckties (not to mention they look better, too).
With a necktie, you always have to worry about accidentally dipping the tip in the punch bowl or accidentally dragging it across Aunt Anabelle’s prized homemade salad dressing. You always have to be careful opening or closing doors on a breezy day because you never know when your tie will get caught. You can’t get too close to babies because they’ll either excrete on it or latch on, and you’ll be stuck face to face with the child until he/she decides to let go. And the list goes on.
No matter how messy I am while wearing a bow tie, however, I never really seem to get it dirty. The only way I can even imagine it being soiled is if I happen to miss my face while drinking or if a person trips and leaves me to catch their food with my shirt and tie. I haven’t had to worry about making a mess with my bow tie because it will always be nice and tidy, and up and out of the way of food, punch bowls, and Aunt Anabelle’s dressing. It’s tucked away nicely, out of the way of the occasional bread crumb or liquid drop from a glass.
Just recently, October 27, 2012
One rule that I live by is this: If I have a date, we match. Simple as that. I bought this gold and white bow tie with red flowers on it to match with this lovely lady when we went to a family party in Los Angeles. She wore a black dress with a red belt and gold shoes, and I wore a black dress shirt, some really nice jeans and dress shoes, and this bow tie. We matched superbly, and everyone complimented us on how well we complemented each other. Overall, I’d have to agree with them, as I fully believe that we looked great.
This Ain't A Clip-On... 