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Wearing a bow tie is a statement to the world, one that lets everyone know you're a style-focused individual who knows how to have a good time. Whether you want to impress with the iconic black bow tie and tuxedo pairing or add some flair to a smart-casual look, you can be sure there's a dickie bow out there just for you.
We've ranked the 10 best self-tie and pre-tied bow ties on Amazon, John Lewis and more for men, women, boys and girls to ensure everyone has been accounted for. The list features both designer and affordable brands like Chester Barrie, Larking and ASOS and includes silk, knitted, satin and pattern bow ties for formal, wedding and everyday wear.
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Table of Contents
To make sure you don't settle for anything less than the best, this simple yet informative buying guide is here to lead you in the right direction. By looking into the type, fabric, finish and pattern, you'll arrive at the top 10 with a clear idea of your ideal bow tie.
Bow ties come in three distinct types that suit either the very dedicated or the once-in-a-blue-moon wearers. These three types can be generally categorised as clip-ons, self-ties and pre-tied. Just like regular ties, the clip-on is the easiest to get along with as it is bandless and simply attaches to the top of your collar with a clasp.
The pre-tied styles are the most popular as they give the best resemblance to the real thing without the hassle. This type features an adjustable neckband that is clipped together somewhere under the collar to conceal the master trickery of the tie. Checking out the range of sizes is a good idea here to make sure you get a good fit.
The self-tie, of course, is the original bow tie, coming in one length and requiring its wearer to tie the knot of their own accord. This personalisation is a great attribute but also a slight art form to get just right.
Despite being mostly intended for men, the bow tie is a broad and sweeping statement accessory that is styled to suit any and all genders as well as kids.
Both men's and boys' bow ties tend to be styled in the classic 'bow' knot that's identical to the shoelace knot – something hopefully everyone is familiar with. This quintessential style is what first comes to mind for just about every person on earth who's heard of the bow tie.
Although there's certainly nothing stopping anyone else from wearing this style, there's another type that is considered to be more feminine for those who prefer it that way. These more ribbon-esque designs often feature a more vivacious bow with two long ends.
Bow ties are, for the most part, constructed from all-natural silk or hardwearing synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon. Choosing between these will ultimately come down to your budget and intended usage.
Through its lustrous look and feel, silk is the undisputed premier fabric for bow tie production and an ideal match for special and formal occasions such as weddings. As it is turned into a textile from the natural fibre of silkworms, a silk tie will need to be cared for and treated in a delicate way for damage control.
On the other end of the spectrum, polyester and rayon are incredibly durable and workable, often being fashioned to give a similar shiny look to silk. As with all synthetics, these fabrics are considerably more affordable, making them a better choice for casual or more frequent wear.
Even though tie brands have their own production methods, which depends on the fabric and style they're aiming to achieve, you'll notice a few weave techniques feature in the majority of modern bow ties.
Although most people may consider satin to be a fabric in itself, it's actually a reference to a type of weave that has been popularised for its silky texture. This especially tightly woven weave is synonymous with creating a glossy, smooth and almost glistening finish that perfectly suits sleek, smart outfits.
If paired correctly, a knitted tie can offer a more relaxed look to wear in a less formal setting. Unlike the woven nature of satin, knit ties have a thicker stitch that establishes a more relaxed texture and touch.
The bow tie is an acceptable way of bringing some much-needed vigour into a setting and luckily, there are many unique and inspiring patterns featured on bow ties for those who want their get-up to speak for itself.
This decorative delight of the bow tie gives any wearer the keys to wearing something bold while remaining undeniably dapper and beautiful. Look for patterns of stripes, checkers and geometric shapes if it's a statement piece you're after.
Or, for something more classic, try paisley, a pattern that has always been a fixture of the tie-wearing story. The iconic teardrop pattern seems to never go out of style and is just as fitting for a high-end wedding as it is a night out on the town.
Although every bow tie on this list could be considered the best in their own inspiring, individual way, it simply had to be the Chester Barrie Chester at number one. It's because of iconic silk designs like this one that bow ties were put on the formalwear map some 300 years ago.
Made from pure silk twill, this is a no-frills yet timelessly classy black bow tie that has been designed for the modern day thanks to a pre-tied clipping design. It also comes in an amethyst metallic display box should you wish to present it to someone special or treasure it as a keepsake from your own wedding.
This cotton option is part of the highly-rated bow tie collection from the prestigious Larking company. The collection features some powerful velvet and silk ties, but this grey number would be ideal if you're after something a bit less formal, perhaps for a casual summery wedding.
We love that this bow tie is designed in such a way to suit anyone of any gender. It also comes in a glass-fronted wooden box, which is perfect for gifting – or to just snap up for yourself. But best be quick, these ties have a tendency to sell out.
This plush velvet bow tie by John Lewis is the perfect choice for teaming with a tuxedo or formal suit. Choose between navy and black for a soft velvet tie that is sure to turn heads and have people remarking and staring at its elegance.
John Lewis have advised that the neck size is designed to virtually fit anyone, allowing you to be the velvet bow tie-wearing icon you always imagined yourself being. It is made of polyester for durability, however, it's best to know that it's a dry clean only affair.
Looking to style your boy in something especially dashing for an upcoming event? This 100% pure silk bow tie fits the mould and then some. Kajeer have instructed the tie is suited to babies right the way up to 15 year olds with a neck size range of 24 - 42cm.
This means no boy is safe from being adorned in the cutest possible accessory to ever come to fruition. Whichever colour you choose, this is a special silk tie for a special occasion that will have you reminiscing over photos for many years to come.
This women's ribbon tie has such a luscious satin finish that it's highly likely to shimmer through your screen. Kajeer have given you the choice of six solid colours which are just as awe-inspiring as this navy number.
With a neck size of 28 - 49 cm, this versatile bow tie is designed to fit both girls and ladies of any size, which we think is pretty cool. Pair it with a white shirt and blazer or even a dress to instantly shake up your outfit.
Self-tying by design, this striking paisley offering by Hisdern is for those who know what they're doing, or who are willing to learn! This is sure to make some men quiver in their polished boots, while others will revel at the challenge.
If you fall into the latter category then we don't blame you if you've already stopped reading and started clicking through. Regardless, it's worth noticing that these bow ties come in no less than 20 unique paisley patterns, and a matching pocket square comes included too.
ASOS Design's bow tie is clearly all about looking your dapper best at the wedding of the year. Burgundy is one of the most pairable colours of the spectrum, suiting almost any formal attire and elevating it to a vibrant yet warm place.
The fact that it is knitted gives it even more of a warm and welcoming vibe, making you stand out but in an approachable kind of way. Being made of polyester ensures it'll be your hardwearing sidekick of the dance floor without a loose thread in sight, too. It's still on the budget end, though, so anything is possible.
What could possibly be better than one impeccably styled ribbon bow tie? That would be four impeccably styled ribbon bow ties, of course. This set also has a good neck size range, giving anyone of any age something bold to wear if they so desire it.
The bows are made of rayon and finished in a glossy satin weave for the kind of shimmer that's normally only associated with silk. They won't be for everyone, but this budget option offers both patterns and plain colours to bring something unique to all of your outfits.
If you're just after a plain black bow tie for maybe one or two formal occasions then you could do a lot worse than this one by Tu. While it's not going to have the same quality as more prestigious black ties, it'll give you a similar look for a whole lot less.
Pre-tied for ease of use and very inexpensive, it is perfect for anyone who has always fancied trying out a bow tie but hasn't yet made the leap. You've got nothing to lose!
If you're looking to bring something fresh to the formal table, then this three-pack could be just the thing. This floral, paisley and polka dot trio of bow ties is intended for boys and men to look their best no matter the occasion.
Made of 70% polyester and 30% silk, the blend combines the best of both synthetic and natural fibres. The only slight worry is that, for such a low price, the build quality and stitching is unlikely to withstand years of wear.
Now that you're feeling inspired and have a fresh bow tie on its way, why not keep the accessorising roll going? We've ranked the 10 best men's rings, silk scarves and sunnies to give every style lover more enticing products to sharpen their look.
A bow tie is a fashion-focused accessory that can't help but make its wearer feel untouchable. We hope this article was helpful in finding the right bow tie for you and your next big event, one that's set to bring a big impact to your outfit and an even bigger impact to the dance floor.
Author: Connor Macanally
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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