National Bow Tie Day

National Bow Tie Day is celebrated on August 28th. This is the only holiday dedicated to not the most popular accessory in the men’s wardrobe. A bow tie is not a part of everyday wear for most people, but this is not a reason to forget about this wonderful element of clothing!

History

It is not known who came up with the idea to celebrate National Bow Tie Day on August 28th. But this wardrobe detail has a long and interesting history! Its prototype was worn by Croatian soldiers during the Thirty Years’ War, which shook the Holy Roman Empire from 1618 to 1648. These guys had open shirt collars, and they tied their necks with special handkerchiefs. The French aristocrats liked this manner of wearing a neckerchief, and they introduced the “kravat” scarf (from the word “Croatian”) into their wardrobe. Then this type of tie underwent a number of changes, and similar to the modern one first appeared on the character of the opera Madama Butterfly, created by Giacomo Puccini and staged in 1904. Since the 1900s, the bow tie has become part of the “uniform” of scientists and doctors. It was an element of the image of the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the French architect Charles-Edouard Le Corbusier.

New York Times journalist Warren St. John is of the opinion that the bow tie is an Old-World symbol that suggests a certain degree of intellectualism, whether real or not.

Today, bow ties come in cotton, polyester, silk, or a mix of fabrics.

Interesting facts

Today, the bow tie is worn by:

• Representatives of certain professions – magicians, entertainers, casino croupiers, referees in the ring, lawyers.
• Actors at the Oscars, as the bow tie is part of the dress code.
• Heroes of popular culture – you can see this type of tie in James Bond and the Eleventh Doctor (another incarnation of the protagonist of the Doctor Who series), Donald Duck and Goofy.
• The Bunny from the Playboy logo!

How to take part

Celebrate National Bow Tie Day – find your own bow tie, match it with an appropriate suit (maybe quite modern and extravagant) and go out for a walk or party!

When is National Bow Tie Day celebrated in 2024?

National Bow Tie Day is observed on August 28 each year.

Observations