About
“Bow Ties are Cool” is a catchphrase used to declare that something perceived to be lame is, in fact, cool. It was first used by the eleventh Doctor on the British scifi television show, Doctor Who
Origin
The phrase was initially used in the first episode of series 5, The Eleventh Hour, which aired April 3rd 2010. It was both Matt Smith’s first full episode as the Eleventh Doctor and the first episode with Steven Moffatt as head writer and executive producer. The Doctor says the phrase after his future travel partner, Amy Pond, critiques his outfit.
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Bowties Are Cool
Spread
The phrase was adopted by the Doctor Who fandom, and was mentioned in various reviews including Ain’t It Cool and the Tardis File. In June 2010, the phrase appeared on a shirt on Zazzle and as a submission to Threadless. On June 20th, the first image macro was submitted to Cheezburger. Usage spread via a Facebook page, with nearly 15,000 likes, and a tag on Tumblr.
AN INTRODUCTION TO BOW TIES
In Fashion
Bow ties began making a fashion comeback in 2009[10], associated with hipsters.
Less than a month after the episode aired, the UK menswear retailer Topman saw bow tie sales grow 94%[11], with bow ties being 14% of all the ties they sold[12]
Notable Derivatives
In later episodes of series five and six of Doctor Who, the Doctor started using different versions of the catchphrase in later episodes to declare that other unpopular objects were cool, including stetsons, glasses, bunk beds, and fezzes.[1]
The Butterfly
The first shape is the modern butterfly, also known as the thistle shape. This is the standard style that most people are familiar with. On average, it is around 2.3 inches in height and fits most face shapes. This particular style is very versatile and works for virtually every occasion. It is a great starting point for those who are just venturing into the world of bow ties and should be a staple in every man’s wardrobe.
The Big Butterfly
Next, we have the big butterfly, which has a larger and more relaxed silhouette. It is sometimes worn for very formal events with a tuxedo. Think Hugh Jackman presenting an award at the Golden Globes. These are typically three inches or greater in height and recommended for those don’t mind looking a bit cheeky.
The Batwing
The batwing shape, also known as a straight or slim bow tie, is the smallest in height. No, this won’t turn you into Batman. But this will make you look a little more like Don Corleone from The Godfather. When untied, this style looks like a long rectangle strip with flat ends. Batwing bow ties are typically less than two inches in height and provide a clean and modern look. It is slightly less formal than the butterfly, but is still acceptable for black tie events.
The Diamond Point
A shape gaining popularity is the diamond tip bow tie. Instead of having a flat end, the edges are pointed to give it diamond shape. When tied, this style has an asymmetric look and adds even more personality to the self-tie bow tie. Although very stylish, these are not often seen.
The Rounded Club
The most rare of the bunch is the rounded club bow tie. Like the name suggests, the ends are rounded instead of flat. This style is not for the shy as it is very unique.
Now you may ask: which one should I wear? Choosing a bow tie style is more about personal taste than steadfast rules. While some styles may work better with your proportions or face shape, we recommend that you try a few and just pick the style that makes you feel the best.
