Bolo tie: what is it and what to wear with?

Everything new is well forgotten old, this well-known phrase fully applies to a man's bolo tie. Once popular, it was forgotten for a long time, but today it has again become one of the components of the stylish image of a modern man. What this accessory is, as well as what to wear it with, will be discussed in our article.

The bolo tie gained the greatest popularity among the Americans. Translated from English, the name of this stylish accessory is translated as “lace with a knot or a clip”. Such ties look very peculiar, so the price for them cannot be called affordable, especially since you can find such a thing only in exclusive boutiques. This stylish piece looks like a rope tied with a decorative brooch or knot.

The lace is made of genuine leather or rope weaving, while the buckle can have a very different appearance - most often it is made of stone, wood, metal, or their combinations. For greater decorativeness, it is usually decorated with gold plates, stones or rhinestones.

It should be noted that Europeans are pretty cool about the lace tie... They prefer to wear a traditional accessory or refuse it altogether. The same applies to our compatriots - in the overwhelming majority of cases they are conservatives and try not to change their habit of wearing a good old tie. Real ties are made in the USA only, not in China. The most advanced equipment and high quality raw materials are used for their manufacture.

There is no exact data on how and who invented the bolo lace. There are two main versions of the origin of this tie. One of them is based on the adoption of this accessory by American cowboys from the native Navajo Indians. It is believed that the indigenous inhabitants of these places wore amulets around their necks, which, as they believed, protected them from dangers and hardships. The amulet looked like an ordinary cord, decorated with hunting trophies in the form of bird feathers, bones and fangs of wild animals.

Local cowboys took a liking to this accessory, so they made it fashionable to wear a decorated rope around their necks. Moreover, they went a little further - they fitted similar ornaments to their hats, tightening them under the very chin. Many Indian tribes in those years were engaged in the processing of silver, so it was customary for them to string brooches made of precious metal on cords - it was they who became the prototype of modern bolo clips.

The second version looks more like a fairy tale, but it also has the right to life. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. in Texas, any criminal sentenced to be hanged, according to the law, should have been pardoned if he could not die the first time.

There is a legend that one day the executioners were going to hang a young swindler, but suddenly the rope broke, and the authorities had no choice but to officially pardon the unfortunate man. In order to always remember his salvation, he hung a piece of that very rope around his neck. After the incident, this man began to enjoy immense popularity among the fair sex, so many local cowboys decided to take an example from him and supplement their wardrobe with such an unusual accessory.

There is no accepted classification of bolo ties. However, in different periods, it was in demand in various regions of America and had its own decor features. That's why conventionally, there are 3 main types of bolo lace.

This is the most common tie. It is made of a braided leather cord and the simplest buckle. In most cases, the clasp is made of bone, wood, or other materials at hand. Usually it is decorated with carvings with ethnic motifs, small semi-precious stones and even beads.

In the middle of the last century, teddy-boys picked up the existing trend, and soon this spectacular cord-shaped accessory appeared in the wardrobe of every rockabilly. Fashionists of that time preferred luxurious things, because brooches in bolo ties were usually decorated with gold inserts and inlaid with expensive stones.

This kind of tie is more like a cowboy tie. This lace was especially popular in Texas and New Mexico. Moreover, in these states, it is even considered an official tie. These days, this accessory is most often adorned with the necks of country music fans and scouts.

The bolo tie looks very stylish, so the ensemble with its participation should be chosen very thoughtfully. So, if you plan to wear a classic three-piece suit, then it is better to refuse a lace... Although with a pair of pants usually it will look quite fresh and original.

Ideally, however, the bolos are best paired with casual shirts and jeans. You can choose any shirt - it can be a plain checkered model or with some other pattern.

It is best if the shade of the tie contrasts with the main color of the rest of the garment. So, for a dark rope, it is better to take a light shirt or clothes of rich bright colors. And for a light tie, on the contrary, give preference to a wardrobe in nude, white and blue colors.

Unlike the usual tie, the bolo lace goes well with a T-shirt and a T-shirt - as a result, a brutal and masculine bow is formed, which directly indicates that the owner of the tie does not accept life within the framework.

In order to become the owner of a fashion accessory, it is not at all necessary to run to expensive boutiques and online stores - you can always make this tie with your own hands, you just need to show a little imagination and imagination. For the most primitive bolo, you will need:

• cutting board;
• a sharp knife or scalpel;
• drill with drills;
• buttons (always with 4 holes);
• tube of super glue;
• leather or suede lace;
• brooch or any other decoration;
• metal cap in the form of a bead or nut.

Making a tie includes several steps:

• a lace is threaded through the holes of the buttons - they are wound in the back and taken out in the front;
• drill holes in the bead / nut;
• the ends of the lace are threaded into the formed holes;
• the rope is tied in a knot or fixed with superglue.

In earlier years, the lace tie was closely associated with the country style. However, today its functionality has expanded significantly, and the variety of options for clips and brooches allows you to create the most stylish and extraordinary bows.

It is no coincidence that this unusual jewelry is worn by world-class film and show business stars these days.

Despite the fact that originally a bolo tie is considered an exclusively male wardrobe item, it is often used by women. The reason for such a popularity of the product is its versatility.

See below for an overview of the tie.