Take a bow with a bow (tie)

They are a great convenience. It is impossible to spill soup on a bow tie. In fact, it requires extreme agility to spill anything on it at all.
- Arthur Schlesinger
Historian & social critic, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize.
What do Arthur Schlesinger, Winston Churchill, Donald Duck, Frank Sinatra, Playboy Enterprises, Stan Laurel and Humphrey Bogart all have in common? Yep, they were all avid followers of the bow tie fashion. But did you know we owe this tricky tie form to a bunch of Croats and French aristocracy?
The bow tie can actually trace its ancestry back to the European Wars of the 17th century. Croatian mercenaries, in support of King Louis, used a loosely fitted scarf to keep their shirts closed and provide some protection from the cold weather. This piece of clothing was quickly adopted by King Louis, becoming a required piece of upper class french fashion and in honour of the Croats, was given the name la cravat.
The name bow tie actually comes from the French, jabot, a type of readymade 17th century lace cravat.
Over the next centuries, the bow tie made its transition to what we now know today as a sophisticated traditional piece of men's attire. Wearing one is very much personal preference. These days it tends to be associated with the likes of professors, scientists and political commentators. However for the more expressive men out there it's a great alternate to the standard tie. Something that can really show of your individualism - but as with any tie avoid Homer Simpson, in fact any cartoon characters.
Typing the perfect bow tie... Can you? You may be an expert and think nothing of it, in which case I applaud you for upholding centuries of tradition. Or maybe you're going to be wearing one for the first time in which case read on as you will need to practice those tying skills!

	Start with the left-hand end 1 inch longer than the right.
	Cross the longer end over the shorter and pass up behind.
	Double up the free-hanging shorter end and place it across the collar points.
	Hold front loop with thumb and forefinger of left hand. Drop long end down over front.
	Place right forefinger, pointing up, on bottom part of loose hanging end. Pass up behind front loop.
	Insert resulting loop through knot behind front loop. Even ends and tighten.

Of course you can cheat and opt for the ready made ones but I warn you...it will be noticeable.
My personal comment on bow ties is that I think they should be worn more and not just reserved for the scholars, black tie events or gimmicky fashion designers. I mean the traditional gentlemanly look, where there is an air of sophistication and refinement that goes with wearing a bow tie. Although a bow tie would not be appropriate for everybody, why not try introducing it into your wardrobe? If Indiana Jones' alter ego can wear one and he's really cool, then why not? Oh damn he was also a professor...well, you get the message.

A list of bow tie devotees reads like a Who's Who of rugged individualists. - The New York Times

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