Will I die if I wear a bow tie? Yes…

I was browsing around groom attire sites today, just getting some ideas, and as I browsed past dozens of tuxedos and suits, I began to wonder about the real need for bowties. Most guys are not tie guys. They may not be as uncomfortable as panty hose, but they are our one piece of attire that has a high irritability to practicality ratio. Unless you’re an attorney or accountant and still have to wear one of those ungodly things to the office, most of us consider neckties a necessary evil for weddings and funerals, and don’t get us started on bow ties. Those are strictly the domain of proms, weddings and, if you’re lucky, inaugural balls or the Oscars. But why is that?

Well, I presume the idea is that these occasions require that a person get all gussied up beyond any reasonable measure, mainly because the pictures will presumably be lasting the rest of your life. And I agree that we guys should definitely try to look our best and take pride in our big day, but I think we should look our best in our own way and not be expected to wear something that we wouldn’t be caught dead in any other situation. If you ask your fiancee or boyfriend what he thinks about this, he may say he doesn’t care and that he’ll do whatever you want, but he’s secretly hoping you pick out a nice, normal black necktie for him.

So I’ll get off my soapbox now and wish you all a relaxing weekend.