Team tie or team bow tie?

As the wedding season approaches, one question often spins in an endless loop in the minds of grooms and groomsmen, but also of guests: tie or bow tie? In general, ties are more formal and are therefore usually worn by the groom. In contrast, bow ties are a little more playful and are therefore more likely to be assigned to the groomsmen. Usually the colour of the groomsmen's bow ties are matched to the colour of the groom's tie to create a nice colour harmony according to the theme or decoration of the wedding. However, the decision between tie and bow tie depends on several factors, such as general coherence, body type and personality. In this article, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each accessory to help you decide whether you should wear a tie or bow tie at your next wedding.

Before deciding whether to complete your wedding look with a tie or bow tie, the suit and shirt must be chosen first. The accessories come second, with the choice of suit or shirt influencing the choice of accessories. If you have chosen a fitted jacket, for example, it makes more sense to wear a bow tie. If, on the other hand, the suit jacket is straight-cut, a tie is more suitable. The same applies to the shirt: depending on the collar and cut of the shirt, you should choose the right bow tie or necktie. A tie is always worn with a pin-collar or tab-collar shirt, and with a flapped-collar shirt you should opt for a bow tie or a plastron. The button placket is also decisive for the choice between tie and bow tie. Normal button plackets with visible buttons, for example, can be worn with ties without any problems, as the buttons become invisible under the tie. If you wear a bow tie, a shirt with a concealed button placket is recommended, as the buttons would otherwise distract from the bow tie.

Another thing to think about when choosing your accessories is your body shape. At a wedding celebration, be it your own or a friend's, you should definitely feel comfortable in your clothes! Therefore, you will certainly choose with care the right shirt, a well-fitting suit and matching shoes that you have broken in a little beforehand. The accessories should also be matched to your body type in terms of size and shape in order to best emphasise your assets or to conceal any "problem zones". For example, if you have a slightly rounder midsection, a tie that matches the width of your figure is recommended (the wider your figure, the wider your tie should be). If you are of smaller stature, you can opt for a bright or colourful bow tie. This will make the upper part of your outfit eye-catching, making you look taller. The choice of patterns, fabrics and colours should also be based on your physique. It is best to seek advice directly from a men's outfitter.

Finally, and certainly the most important point, you should choose your accessories so that they suit you and your personality. If you are rather shy, you might not want to choose something very colourful and with a lot of pattern, and vice versa. If pink is not your colour at all, you should also not make an exception at a wedding that you might regret later.

As you can see, the choice between a tie and a bow tie is not an easy one to make. Neither accessory is the better or worse choice for a wedding. The most important thing is to choose something that suits you and that you feel comfortable in. This is what our other customers have done and you can see it in the photos!