- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- FashionLifestyle
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every August 28
- Holiday emoji:
- 🎀
National Bow Tie Day, on August 28, celebrates the distinctive charm and enduring style of this iconic neckwear. It’s the perfect occasion to showcase your favorite bow tie, whether you prefer a classic silk or a playful pattern. Don a bow tie today and inspire others to embrace this dapper accessory!
Want to sponsor National Bow Tie Day? Learn how
Expected National Bow Tie Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history suggests retailers will offer special deals on bow ties and related accessories. Look for discounts from brands like The Tie Bar, known for their wide selection of modern and classic designs, and Brooks Brothers, a heritage brand synonymous with preppy style. Specialty boutiques such as Beau Ties of Vermont and online retailers like Etsy may feature handmade or unique bow ties. Department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom are also likely to have sales on men’s formal wear. Even luxury brands like Hermès might highlight their silk bow ties. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 28 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Bow Tie Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBowTieDay. Share photos of your favorite bow tie outfits, styling tips, or a ‘how-to’ on tying one.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBowTieDay. Create short videos showcasing different bow tie looks, historical facts, or a quick tutorial on self-tying.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalBowTieDay. Share your bow tie facts, celebrity sightings, or engage in discussions about fashion trends and personal style.
National Bow Tie Day Hero
Jesse Langsdorf
History of National Bow Tie Day
Since time immemorial, or at least since the 19th century, the bow tie has been the epitome of class, elegance, and that certain panache of the social- and intellectual upper echelons. Whether you were of high social stature by birth or renowned in intellectual circles for your wit and prowess, the bow tie told the world of this.
Well, maybe not quite that excessive. But the bow tie has, since its humble origins, become a symbol of status and stature in many social circles. Interestingly enough, the first inclinations of a bow tie were actually worn by Croatian mercenaries during the Thirty Years War in the 17th century. The soldiers needed neckties that mirrored scarf knots. Of course, the French, taking a cue from this relatively fringe and scandalous source, popularized the trend in Paris before it spread throughout the rest of the fashion-aware world.
From then, the bow tie would become an important part of formal dress, and especially popular amongst medical and doctoral doctors. Eventually, the tie’s popularity would wear off (pun intended) during WWII due to the shortage of materials to make them and people to wear them. However, it’s no secret that the bow tie has survived in circles of ballet attendees and Bond villains alike. Today, the bow tie can be seen at black-tie affairs and, ironically, on hipsters, alike. National Bow Tie day is thus the celebration of all of the history and symbolism tightly packed into a pristine knot.
National Bow Tie Day timeline
Precursors to cravats are worn by Croatian mercenaries in the Thirty Years War before being popularized by French fashion elites.
Physicians and academics become immortalized as your typical bow tie wearers up until WWII.
“New York Times” writer Warren St. John writes that the bow tie is a type of old-world icon that suggests intellectualism, real or not.
Recognizable by their oversized thrift store sweaters, long beards, and non-necessary glasses, hipsters revolutionize the way we wear certain items, including the ironic use of bow ties.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Bow Tie Day
Local fashion boutiques and men’s wear stores can host ‘Bow Tie Styling Workshops’ or offer discounts on bow ties and custom fittings. Restaurants and bars could encourage staff to wear bow ties and offer a special ‘Dapper Drink’ for patrons in bow ties. Even offices can organize a ‘Best Bow Tie’ contest, boosting morale and adding a touch of sartorial flair to the workday. Encourage customers to share their looks using #NationalBowTieDay.
National Bow Tie Day FAQs
When is National Bow Tie Day?
National Bow Tie Day 2026 falls on Friday, August 28, offering a stylish end to the work week. It’s the perfect opportunity to don your favorite neckwear.
Who invented the bow tie?
While the concept of neckwear dates back centuries, the modern pre-tied bow tie is often attributed to Jesse Langsdorf, a haberdasher from St. Louis, who patented his design in 1904. This innovation made bow ties more accessible.
How many types of bow ties are there?
There are several main types of bow ties, including the self-tie (the classic), pre-tied (convenient), and clip-on (easiest). Within self-tie, popular shapes include the butterfly, batwing, and diamond point, each offering a distinct aesthetic.
What is the difference between a bow tie and a necktie?
The primary difference lies in their shape and how they are worn. A necktie is a long strip of fabric worn around the neck and tied in a knot, hanging down the front of the shirt. A bow tie is a shorter piece of fabric tied into a symmetrical bow shape, sitting horizontally at the collar.
NATIONAL BOW TIE DAY ACTIVITIES
Learn to properly tie a bow tie
No more clip-ons or pre-tied ties here! This National Bow Tie Day, learn how to properly be a gentleman (or lady) who can be responsible for their own bow tie … and those of their fellow party-goers as well.
Host a bow tie party
Throw a party to celebrate your favorite accessory! You could have bow tie trivia, watch old movies with lots of bow ties involved, and serve bow tie pasta! Bow tie required for entrance.
’Gram it
Did you even celebrate National Bow Tie Day if you didn’t snap a pic for social media? Take a selfie of you and your bow tie for Instagram, or post some pics of you and your friends wearing them to your stories.
5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT SILK
It’s the queen of fabrics
Silk is made from the silk strands of thousands of silkworms, making it a very intensive and painstaking process reserved for the most elegant of wearers.
Sea silk is incredibly elusive
Sea silk is harvested and made from clam fibers, and there is only one person on Earth who knows how to perfect this perfect fabric.
Silk production was top secret
In ancient China, anyone caught trying to smuggle silkworms out of China was sentenced to death.
It keeps you bite-free
If you’re a mosquito-favorite, try stepping out in silk some time — mosquitos can’t seem to break through the threads!
It had the longest global trade route
The legendary Silk Road stretched from China to parts of Europe as early as 130 B.C.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL BOW TIE DAY
It reminds us of a more sophisticated time
Remember when the black tie was the norm for evening events? Neither do we. But that doesn’t mean we don’t get a rush of historic, Titanic-era nostalgia every time we see one. Bow ties are a touch of elegance and a connection to a time when that was expected.
We look darn good
It is a universally acknowledged truth that everyone and everything looks better while boasting a bow tie. So throw one on and, while you’re at it, throw one on your friends, your partner, your dog, and your computer.
It gives us an excuse to wear a monocle
There’s no way to pull off a monocle without a bow tie. While you’re looking dapper and dressed to the nines, add a little piece of eyewear to truly get the most bang for your bow tie buck.
Social Media Tips for National Bow Tie Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands