How to tie a bow tie

I didn't grow up in America, but I live here now. And, much to my chagrin, I've listened to a fascinating diatribe for years on the pros and cons of wearing a bow tie. Never before has such a clothing accessory been so praised, so reviled, often discussed, always misunderstood.

Some of my bond trader friends in NYC tell me that wearing a bow tie suggests a certain kind of arrogance - that the rest of mankind is beneath you. But I think that the right bow tie can make a lovely statement about a man's sense of flair, fashion, confidence, and style.

When I say the right bow tie, I mean one that is actually tied as opposed to clipped. And don't tell me that you can't tie a bow tie. If you can tie your shoe laces, you can tie a bow tie. It's really very simple to master. There are a variety of instuctional videos on You Tube (www.youtube.com) that instruct you on how to tie one. You can also go to the Brooks Brothers Web site at http://www.brooksbrothers.com/TieKnots/bowtie.tem to learn the art of tying a bow tie.

I love the bow ties made by Garrick Anderson in Scotland. They're colorful, of the highest quality, and look great after years of wear. Turnbull & Asser also makes lovely bow ties, many of them made exclusively to match your shirts. You can also buy some very good quality bow ties in lovely colors from Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com).

I hope you will muster the courage to wear a bow tie one day and walk with confidence into a business meeting. Don't worry what the others might say or think. Be a man.