White Tie Marcella Piqué Bow Tie

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Single End Bow Tie by Fort Belvedere with the collar wings tucked behind the bow tie and a silk plush top hat with grosgrain band and piping - noticed the elegant curve of the head
The white tie is the key to White Tie

The Full-Dress Bow Tie

The white full-dress bow tie is almost always made from cotton piqué (marcella in the UK), the material of choice since the 1930s. It is considered especially smart if the tie is of the same type of piqué as the waistcoat and, if applicable, the shirtfront, although that might be difficult to achieve unless all white tie accessories come from the same brand.

Invest in quality with White Tie bow ties from Fort Belvedere

White Tie in Marcella Bird's Eye or Waffle Piqué Bow Tie Self Tie Butterfly - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

White Marcella Pique Butterfly Bow Tie

White Marcella Pique Single End Bow Tie

Fort Belvedere

White Marcella Pique Single End Bow Tie

Bow Tie Shapes

Different White and Black Bow Tie Shapes - all self-tie of course
Different White and Black Bow Tie Shapes – all self-tie of course

The bow tie is traditionally semi-butterfly or batwing shaped as described in Classic Black-Tie Neckwear. Back in the day you could find many different white tie shapes including ones with pointed ends but as white tie is increasingly more rare, most gentlemen stick to the classic semi-butterfly shape.

White, sized self tie bow tie

Sized Self-Tie Bow Ties Are The Only Proper Option

It should go without saying that a self-tied model is infinitely preferable to a factory-assembled version. If pre-tied neckwear is considered unrefined in a relatively informal office environment then it can only be viewed as downright gauche in the context of an ultra-formal society ball, royal state dinner or Nobel Prize ceremony.

Sized Self Tie bow ties are the only proper option
Sized Self Tie bow ties are the only proper option

White tie may be a virtual uniform but it is a gentleman’s uniform and a gentleman appreciates the human touch of a slightly irregular hand-tied knot compared to the cold perfection of a pre-fabricated contraption.

Most marcella bow ties today have a size adjuster to save on stocking cost for the retailer. After all, it is a lot less expensive to stock just one size fits it all rather than 10 sizes.

However, unlike with classic black tie, which often features a turndown collar black tie shirt, a white tie shirt always has a wing collar. That means, and an adjuster will be visible on the collar and that simply looks tacky. Even worse, the hook mechanism might fall off while you move and putting it back on is not easy. Therefore save yourself any embarassment and opt for the essential genlteman’s choice: a sized white Marcella bow tie or a single end bow tie.

Get a sized or single end bow tie without any hooks or adjusters - Only those kinds produce a neat seamless look and it will stay on your neck until you decide to take it off
Get a sized or single end bow tie without any hooks or adjusters – Only those kinds produce a neat seamless look and it will stay on your neck until you decide to take it off

When tying the tie, keep in mind that formal bow ties are meant to be worn outside the wings of the collar, not tucked behind them.

Finally, unless you are a waiter or a butler you must never wear a black bow tie with a tailcoat. Ever.

Classic Semi Butterfly Shapes from the 1930s served as the basis for Fort Belvederes White Tie bow ties
Classic Semi Butterfly Shapes from the 1930s served as the basis for Fort Belvederes White Tie bow ties

Standard versus Single – End Bow Tie

Sized Self Tie bow ties are the only proper option
Sized Self Tie bow ties are the only proper option

The standard is the regular bow tie style in a fixed necksize. In the 1930s, particularly dapper gentlemen introduced the single end bow tie to create an even more elegant look. The advantage is that it does not have any adjusters, yet it is a one-size fits it all. We also decided to offer a smaller single end white tie bow tie because it is perfect for men who have a more modest built or vintage lovers who would like to introduce a small period appropriate bow tie to their full dress ensemble.

Learn How To Tie A Bow Tie

How to Tie a Standard End Bow Tie

How to Tie a Single End Bow Tie