Summer Bow Ties: Lightweight Fabrics and Playful Tropical Prints

The Appeal of Bow Ties in the Summer Months

Bow ties evoke a crisp, put-together look that works well when temperatures climb. As the weather warms up, lightweight fabrics and playful prints make bow ties an ideal seasonal accessory. Their refined style stands out, yet their small size keeps the look feeling laidback. Bow ties in summer strike that sweet spot between high fashion and vacation vibes.

Opting for Seasonal Fabrics

Much like suits and shirts, bow tie materials change along with the weather. Winter calls for warmer wools and corduroys, while breezy summer options keep wearers comfortable in the heat. Brands now offer bow ties in all seasons, with excellent lightweight fabrics perfect for balmy days.

Cotton, linen and seersucker dominate the summer bow tie scene. Crisp cotton ties maintain structure while remaining breathable for those scorching afternoons. For a more textured look, linens and seersuckers offer ventilation in loose weaves that conform well to the untucked casual shirts of summer.

Playful Tropical & Nautical Prints

While solids always work, printed bow ties provide a chance to incorporate some playful patterns indicative of the season. Tropical motifs like palm trees, pineapples, flowers, fruit and flamingos give off vacation vibes perfect for the hot months.

Nautical themes also take advantage of summer’s coastal lifestyle. Anchors, sailboats and navy stripes evoke lazy days at the shore. Both tropical and nautical prints manage to be fun without going overboard, ideal for adding some personality to a bow tie look.

Complementing a Summer Wardrobe

More than just an accessory, bow ties influence an entire summer outfit. The coordination opportunities bow ties provide can make even the simplest combinations feel fresh and exciting.

Play Up the Vacation Vibes

Leaning into vacation motifs on bow ties provides guidance for designing relaxed summer outfits. Pair printed bow ties with breezy camp collar shirts or guayabera shirts tucked into khaki shorts or linen pants. Accent with woven leather sandals or espadrilles and sunglasses for a laidback yet refined vacation look.

Crisp Business Casual

Solid bow ties offer a sharper contrast to business casual outfits like Oxford button-downs and chinos. Simple pairing like these capture summer’s tricky balance of professional yet relaxed dress codes for warmer offices. A bow tie’s small size keeps the look feeling casual rather than stuffy.

Black Tie Optional

Warmer months see no shortage of summer soirées, garden parties and rooftop gatherings. Often billed as black tie optional, these semi-formal events beg for bow ties and an unstructured blazer over an open collar shirt. The bow tie swaps out a neck tie but maintains a refined sensibility amidst the summer heat.

Tying it All Together: Perfecting a Summer Bow Tie

While options may differ from season to season, tying a bow tie relies on the same techniques year round. Perfected through practice, a few key steps yield consistently crisp shapes.

The Importance of Fit

An properly-sized tie ensures the right proportions on the finished knot. With correct length and width, a bow tie should fit the frame of an average sized collar without compressing it. Too large and the tie appears cartoonish. Too small and it gets lost. Brand sizing charts provide guidance to achieve an optimal fit.

Tying Tips & Tricks

Start by positioning the bow tie around the collar evenly. Wrap one side slightly longer before carefully folding pleats and tucking material to form symmetrical sides. The back band will overlap. Smooth out fabric and adjust angles. With a bit of practice, the process becomes second nature resulting in stellar shapes every time.

The Finished Product

A correctly tied bow tie rests centered under the collar with even tips pointing straight horizontally. Crisply ironed summer fabrics hold shapes better while textured materials may loosen more easily, but regain form with minor adjustments.

Showcasing color and pattern, bow tie styles run the gamut from bold statement pieces to simple classics. Summer heat welcomes breezy fabrics and playful motifs suited to the sunny months. Bow ties continue shining as small accessories with oversized seasonal style.

FAQs

What are the best fabrics for summer bow ties?

The best bow tie fabrics for staying cool in summer heat are lightweight cottons, linens, and seersuckers. These breathable materials will be comfortable without sacrificing structure and shape.

What are some popular summer bow tie prints?

Fun summer bow tie prints include tropical themes like flamingos, pineapples, flowers, and fruit as well as nautical motifs such as anchors, sailboats, and navy stripes.

What are good summer outfit pairings with bow ties?

Bow ties in summer look great with camp collar shirts, guayabera shirts, Oxford button-downs, chinos, and khaki shorts. Add leather sandals or woven espadrilles for vacation vibes.

How can I get better at tying bow ties?

Practice makes perfect when tying bow ties. Ensure proper sizing, start with even length sides, carefully fold pleats, smooth fabric, and make final adjustments. Check horizontal tip alignment for a crisp symmetrical finish.