Topman Bow Tie

THE ASKMEN TAKE

This item appears in our Fall Fashion Preview 2009.
It’s a myth that a bow tie belongs with a tuxedo; maybe a black silk bow tie, but not this one by Topman. It’s definitely a daytime bow tie, which is usually the case with patterned versions (i.e., stripes, dots or check). Limited to black and dark green, it is made of polyester. Pre-tied and adjustable, this Topman bow tie comes in one universal size.

Don’t be misled by  the bad press that the bow tie has been getting for decades. If you’re a fan, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a nerd or a republican. Or, make a stereotype work to your advantage by pairing it with a cable crew-neck sweater for a cool academic look, with a blazer or a very slim-fit suit.

UNIQUENESS

If you were looking for a cocktail party or a formal wear version, it's more than likely that you’d head to Duchamp rather than Topman to get a bow tie (and it would be silk not polyester). This green and check number should be appreciated for what it is: a cheerful, on-trend men’s accessory that will effectively fight the dullness of your outfit and brighten up a monochrome blazer. It will also introduce some often much-appreciated eccentricity into your look, the same way that chunky, thick-rimmed eyeglasses add that sexy, geeky vibe to a face.

DURABILITY

A pretty good example of how to wear a bow tie is (no surprise here) Winston Churchill. He managed to take the serious and painfully conservative aura off his beloved bow ties wearing them daily and slightly loosely. That’s where this Topman polyester baby fails: It just looks so perfect. A bow tie that you’ll appreciate for years is a self-tie. You might have to put some effort in mastering the tying technique. However, each time you wear it, it’ll look different, imperfect, charismatic -- with character. If, for some reason, you’re still reluctant to try a bow tie, grab this one from Topman, have some fun with it and see how it works for you. If it does, you can invest in a pricier alternative from Paul Smith orRalph Lauren.