Fashion is as much about spotting a trend as it is about making it your own in a fearless way. The trend reports only tell half the story. What completes it is how you make it your own. As always most of the trends take their cue from the bygone eras and why not! So even though the bow tie suggests iconoclasm of time gone by, this simple accessory also denotes an essence of an elevated style.
With the boyfriend jackets and pants established for a while now, tuxedo’s trending and adding to the boy meets girl look, why not go all out and use the bow ties for women.
This masculine inspired element and a close relative of the neck tie sees its birth out of functionality in the 17th century. Back then the tie would be used to keep the top of the soldier’s uniforms closed and protect their neck from cold. This piece of clothing was liked so much that it was adopted as the required piece of fashion accessory with the upper class at the formal functions. This is probably why we see everyone sporting bow tie at the black tie affairs.
Spotted!
Celebrities have demonstrated how we shouldn’t reduce the bow tie to red carpet appearances and add a modern spin to an iconic element of fashion by playing with quirky prints, material and textures. Rihanna feminised the otherwise all man look of a bow tie with tuxedo by the highly puffed sleeves and the perfect make up!
Tips and Tricks for wearing bow ties
The bow tie for women spells formal for us. However, the trending bow tie is way more versatile than we thought it to be. Here are some different looks that define why bow tie this season makes that perfect accessory to edge your look out and not just be confined to charity events and adorned by professors.
Wearing bow ties for the serious role
The bow tie can soften the look because of the feminine characteristics of the bow. A little prim and below-the-knee skirt if worn with a crisp bow makes an appropriate boardroom option. So do column pants worn with a silk shirt and the crisp bow tie which makes for a great work alternative to the suit. Stick to the same pencil skirt silhouette and dress it up with a bow tie shirts in sheer or satin and you are dressed for the evening out. The pussy-bow blouse is a great alternative to the traditional bow.
Christina Hendricks gets her look right by using the bow tie in velvet with a ruffled pastel blouse and a textured blazer and soft, fresh and a dewy look for the face.
Bow Ties for The Bold Play
The bow tie also completes the power impact look. Go the Ralph Lauren way by going with the classic black bow tie, crisp white shirt and a tuxedo and add the pop of colour with a red lipstick and peep toes. If you choose to keep an understated nude make up then that works for the look as well. Arjun Saluja, a newcomer who combines structure drapes chose to use the bow tie too.
The Boho Chic way for wearing bow ties
Try going bohemian for a lunch out by wearing an Ascot style bow tie over a shirt blouse and a well fitted pair of shorts. Stack up lots of metallic bangles. One could also team it with a solid colour outfit: multi layer skirt with a blouse of the same colour.
The “Bow Down” look-casual
To achieve one of the classics everyday wear look wear a soft dotted bow tie over a basic white button down shirt with a black skirt, vintage belt and team it up with a trench coat. A watch and bag a must in this case to perfect the look. You could also wear the bow tie with the classic combination of white over blue jeans with a fawn blazer. Simple flats give a relaxed look.
The bow tie on a polka dot shirt teamed with a white pair of jeans makes the bow tie look so much fun and changes the perspective. With a satchel and you carry off one of the most casual looks with the bow tie.
What Not To Do!
It’s the time to make a statement. What better way to do this than with an already acceptable red carpet accessory-the bowtie. Do avoid wearing any other accessory and ensure you have an understated attire to make that statement and not be over the top. The focus should be on that one accessory and that should be enough as you don’t want to end up over accessorising .A bow tie with a shirt gives one and everyone that confident look and of course sets you apart from the crowd. It adds certain flair to an outfit but looks good when done right.
Runway hints
Moschino autumn winter 2011 collection incorporates not just the classic bows of white and black but adds to the quirky quotient with floral print and shapes as bow ties. The trend also translates into their Spring Summer 2012 collections hence you can continue taking cues from the brand as your how- to –wear-it guide.
Bow tie, the iconic element of fashion as we put it now is not only reduced to a graphic form in the Playboy logo. Recently the bowtie for women trend has been spotted not only in the 2011 collections but also in the 2012 collections internationally and back home. So whether it is a part of the tailored Autumn Winter collections or the unstructured and lighter Spring Summer Collection we definitely see the bowtie surviving the seasons in the women’s wear.
So if Stan Laurel’s dressing (from Laurel and Hardy), inspires you then here’s a treat for you: the bow tie has touched the fashion scene and is no longer for boys! And just like that you have the little piece of history right under your face.
Image: Shutterstock, P R Photos