Rocking The Bow Tie
Fortunately, I now have a new camera, following my nephew's rather ill advised decision to play with my old one. Hopefully I shall now be able to do some more frequent outfit posts. Today I decided to mix it up a little, by pairing my bow tie with light grey jeans tucked into Doc Martens (which I am still breaking in, hence their rather pristine look). Although this pairing may appear dichotomous in nature, one finds that in the history of fashion, pieces identifiable as early bow ties were actually worn far more casually and with less formal connations than we find in today's society.
The history of the bow tie is much debated over, with historical evidence showing that scarves were worn with a bow as far back as the Roman times. In its earliest manifestation, it was worn mainly by those in the military for the warmth it provided to the neck region, without the worry of loose ends. This military connection would last till even today, where it is worn as part of formal military attire in many countries. However it has also had a more casual association, for example in the 17th Century, where it was worn underneath an open collar jacket, often adapted from what we would consider to be a scarf.
The bow tie as we know it today actually evolved from a very casual fashion in mid 17th Century France. Every soldier in the Croatian Army from the lowest rank wore a form of the bow tie created by tying thin, colourful scarves around their necks. Following their victory in Turkey, they were presented to Louis XIV in celebration. He was immediately enamoured by the style and the adaption of which, the 'cravat', would become a major fashion in France. The French soldiers would give rise to another style, by hastily twisting their scarves and tucking the ends into the buttonholes of their military jackets.
Following the French Revolution the trends in men's fashion would determine the type of the bow tie, often large and elaborate in style. In the 19th Century and the rise of the Romantic Period, the tie was to become the most important part of a man's attire. During this period it would actually become an art form for many men, who would develop their own unique designs and elaborate styles. By the 20th Century the bow tie would become the recognisable piece we know today, often worn casually, however for the most part used for evening wear.
Currently playing: Tuning In - Hadouken!
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