A type of necktie with a knot that forms a decorative bow, typically worn for formal occasions, or a shape resembling two triangles meeting at a point.
From 'bow' (the knotted shape) and 'tie' (the neckwear). The style emerged in the 17th century from cravats and became standardized formal wear in the 19th century.
Bowties are physics puzzles masquerading as fashion—they require specific folding and tying, which is why some people make bowtie-tying look effortless while others struggle eternally. They're the one neckwear that actively resists being worn correctly.
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