Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Boy Lesson 1: The Art of the Bow Tie

Two days ago I was called by a friend of mine (who will be living 2 houses down from us next year) about a clothing crisis: "Can you wear black pants with a pinstripe blazer?" So it got me thinking about a "segment" I can do for all the boy readers that I might have (max = 3) and what they need to know about looking nice and preppy (dare I say it about them) well dressed.

I have to admit it. I have an affinity for a boy in a bow tie. I think boys have this weird stigma that they associate with bow ties and none of them ever want to wear one! I absolutely love them (with the exception of a few boys--really just one who's running against a friend of mine in the college elections, but I digress.) I have a few friends who detest a bow tie, but coming from Annapolis, it's just part of the culture. My junior year a guy friend of mine asked me if I would help him figure out what to wear to prom (he was taking a girlfriend of mine, Lizzie) and I was so excited to help him. He explained his choices on a bus ride to a lacrosse game and we settled on a great red Vineyard Vines print that had crabs and some polka dots with the matching cummerbund. He looked great and I think guys really underestimate bow ties! Now that it's spring, I'm hoping to catch a few more guys in a good bow tie. Here are a few of my favorites:

King Crab (I LOVE the crowns) from Vineyard Vines

                                  
Stars & Stripes from Vineyard Vines

                                              
Regimental Guard Stripe from Joseph A. Bank Clothiers (My dad shops here periodically and I love to go! They have tons of ties and bow ties that I love browsing!!)

                              
Lilly Pulitzer Printed Bow Tie (how can you not love pink and green seahorses!? If I had a prom date my junior year, this would have been perfect with my LP Jillie Dress circa Resort 2007)

                                     
These bow ties are made by a local designer in Columbia, SC called LaRoque. She makes all kinds of great custom dress--so custom that no one else will ever have the same combination of prints and dress style as someone else. Getting a dress from there is on my list of things to do before I graduate. This photo is from her facebook. I'm sure I could get a perfect length dress for my 6'1'' body! 

I think the moral of my story is that a bow tie is just SO hard to resist! This makes me feel SO spring-y! If any of my readers are boys remember this!! Girls do love the bow tie! (Now madras anything and a bow tie is downright dangerous for this girl...)

xxKatie

11 comments:

Molly said...

Adorable idea! I love when my brother comes to me for advice on the simplest things!

Brian said...

Every guy should learn to tie a bow tie. Believe me when I say you will look much better with the one that is just a bit off rather than the pre tied ones. Good for you for trying to clean up the young men of society. I'm going to have to point your blog out to my sister in-laws boyfriend. He needs a lot of help.

Kerry said...

I LOVE it when guys wear bow ties! I will definitely check LaRoque out,thanks for the suggestion!!

bevy said...

I am so with Brian on that one! And I love tying my husband's bow ties. Very cool... and preppy!

Hilary said...

I swoon for bowties! I had to do a teaching and learning project for one of my Nursing classes a few weeks ago - what did I choose? How to tie a bowtie, of course! It was a major hit because it's something ALOT of girls don't know how to do!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE bow ties! And I agree, every guy should know how to tie them! So attractive! xoe

Anonymous said...

Left a little sumin-sumin for ya over at my place! xoe

Main Line Sportsman said...

I must admit that the ONLY time I wear a bow tie is when in Evening Clothes or White tie and Tailcoat. I found way to learn and practice tying a bow tie was to stand behind someone and tie it on them numerous times...until I could transfer the action to take place around my own neck.

Unknown said...

My youngest son wears bow ties all the time. The school he attends requires "real" ties and not the pre tied ones be worn every day. The seniors can wear bow ties and he has quite an assortment. I just love the way he looks in them.

Justin said...

Great idea to add the "Boy Lesson" feature to your blog! I'll be looking for tips here. And of course I completely agree with you about bow ties.

holler said...

I'm from Annapolis and I think bow ties are fabulous as can be!! i know a lot of boys who wear them so I am confused as to why you say it's not in the culture because I beg to differ, Annapolis is one of the preppiest places i know! We are the sailing capital of the world, after all!