I love bowties.
Not unconditionally; but nonetheless, I do.
I mean, don't you?
Bowties are so different, so cute, so... wow.
They can be polka dotted or striped, they can be Vineyard Vines style with little mermaids or fish or boats or four leaf clovers, or whales or anything for that matter.
They can be preppy or academic, hilarious or serious, and they can be really snazzy (that's the weirdest word ever... snazzy?).
I first came across bowties when I was a wee little one and it was my brother's first day of kindergarten. He was dressed in his school uniform, complete with the one accessory that made the outfit: a little black bowtie.
I think one of the first encounters many of us have is with bowtie clad little kids. They're running around being little rug rats, but, of course, they have on their little bowties (not all the time, mind you, only special occasions) which lends an air of justifiability to their actions.
Anyway, enough about the little ones.
So, I guess the next time we all saw bowties was prom, or any type of formal in which we all get dressed up because I guess we had to (or we enjoyed it, either way). There was always that guy who thought it would be the funniest thing ever, and I mean EVER, if he wore a pink or peach or sky blue tuxedo. So original -- I don't think anyone ever thought of that idea (only every year).
I think, in fact I know, that all of us, once coming here to the University, have witnessed or even come in contact with a bowtie or the wearer of one. You may love the bowties ("they're so cute!") you may loath them ("they're so disgustingly preppy!"), but I think we all have at least seen them and have some type of feeling toward these little strips of cloth that can be tied up into a bow-like creation. No one can have feelings of ambivalence towards bowties -- they're just too controversial.
"They're really old-fashioned, and it really depends on the occasion," second-year College student Joe Calascione said. "It all depends on the context."
Some students said they think that the whole bowtie thing is weird when worn by students, but appropriate when worn to make a statement.
"A 19-year-old guy wearing a bowtie to class every day is kinda creepy, but my friend would wear a bowtie on her wrist sometimes, and I think that was pretty cool," first-year College student Gwen Kirk said.
One beautiful evening at about five o'clock, I was walking back from class with one of my roommates, and we were lucky enough to witness a man who was the epitome of higher education, the manifestation of all things academic and of those who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of higher learning.
Yes, I'm talking about a professor.
I'm not talking about any professor, however, I'm talking about a white haired, bowtie clad, khaki pants and navy blue blazer with gold buttons wearing, pipe smoking, brown loafer sporting professor.
Seriously, does it get any better than this?
He was straight out of a movie, and it was all about the bowtie. It was a navy blue and red polka dot bowtie, probably silk, undoubtedly chic.
My friend Martin Akhavan has a professor who wears bowties to class every single day. The bowtie is his trademark look. On older men, it looks really traditional; while on younger guys it can look really put together, funny or just off the wall.
Students tend to wear them on important occasions, whether academic or social, like presentations, date functions or football games.
When I asked Lisa Sincavage, a third-year College student, what she would think if a guy wore a bowtie on their first date she said: "It would be too Republican and preppy for me. Some offbeat people can pull it off, but it sometimes gives the impression of being too uptight. It's entertaining on old men, and it's okay at football games."
The great thing about bowties is that they're a contradiction. They're super preppy and off the wall, put together and trendy, academic and totally crazy all at the same time.
I love bowties... but not unconditionally. How about you?
Demetra can be reached at fashion@cavalierdaily.com
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