How some of the world’s most stylish men rocked the bow tie
We tie down how style icons pull off one of man's trickiest accessories
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Just over 10 years ago journalist Warren St John offered a sartorial opinion to The New York Times: “The bow tie hints at intellectualism, real or feigned, and sometimes suggests technical acumen, perhaps because it is so hard to tie”. The quote certainly still rings true; despite being the most difficult accessory to master, for centuries men from a range of society’s echelons have turned to the bow tie to reflect a certain air of sophistication.
No matter whether it’s sported by a fully fledged gentleman or the decidedly more casual type, (successfully) putting on a bow tie for a smart occasion means any man can exude elegance and stylish excellence. So, it’s no surprise that this accoutrement of formalwear has been worn by some of the world’s most well-dressed men- and despite the bow tie being unquestionably classic in silhouette, everyone from James Dean to Daniel Craig has managed to pull it off in their own special way. We take a closer look at how it’s done by the masters…
Sean Connery as Bond in 1964’s Goldfinger does cool contrasting by pairing a white tuxedo with a black bow tie, and finishing with a red floral pin for a pop of colour. White tie is a tricky one to pull off, but there’s always room to keep it classic by opting for the traditional black bow tie. If you’re feeling a little too monochrome, mix things up and try a more patterned and brighter tie – if you’re feeling daring.
James Dean offers a playful take on the accessory by opting for one of the silky iteration and wearing with rounded tortoiseshell frames. Wearing something with less structure is one of the best ways to stand out from the crowd, but approach this iteration with caution; it’s even harder to tie and can easily come undone when you’re one too many Old Fashioneds down…
In 1974’s The Great Gatsby Robert Redford channels the exuberant sophistication of one of fiction’s most stylish characters in a white-on-white look. This is bold – to say the least – but is easy to pull off if you do it with confidence and style. Go for something structured and uncomplicated to wear, the less effort you have to put into getting ready, the less complex your outfit will seem.
Marlon Brando aces the formal dress code by coupling a narrow bow tie with a sharply tapered tux lapel. This look is as traditional as it gets and is perfect for a first-timer when it comes to the bow tie. Brando, as ever, is the perfect example of simplicity winning every single time.
Classy and undoubtedly classic, Cary Grant wears the the more typical, fuller bow tie style for his starring role in the 1958 romantic comedy Indiscreet. Grant rocks the more traditional bow tie here; going for something structured and bigger is the perfect way to garner all kinds of the right attention.
Over half a century later Daniel Craig mirrors the style of Connery’s Bond for 2015’s Spectre, modernising the look with a diamond-point bow. If you’re in the mood to try something more daring and a little bit different, try this. It’s guaranteed to help separate you from every other gentleman in the room and is the perfect update to the more traditional bow tie.
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