National Bow Tie Day

National Bow Tie Day, observed on August 28, celebrates the distinctive style, charm, and personality of the bow tie. Whether it is classic black silk, brightly patterned, or playfully themed, this small accessory has a remarkable ability to make an outfit feel polished while expressing individual flair.

The day invites bow tie enthusiasts and newcomers alike to wear one with confidence, learn about its place in fashion, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind this timeless neckwear. Dress up for a special occasion, add a bow tie to an everyday look, or simply share your favorite style to join the celebration.

National Bow Tie Day is observed annually on **August 28**. The observance celebrates the bow tie as both a practical neckwear accessory and a distinctive element of formal and personal style. Unlike long-established religious or civic holidays, National Bow Tie Day is a modern promotional and cultural observance, associated with efforts by bow-tie retailers and enthusiasts to draw attention to the accessory’s history and continuing appeal. It does not appear to have originated through a government proclamation; rather, it developed through the fashion and specialty-retail community.

The bow tie’s history reaches back to the seventeenth century, when Croatian soldiers wore knotted neck cloths to secure the collars of their shirts. The style attracted attention in France, where similar neckwear became associated with the *cravat*, a forerunner of the modern necktie. Over the following centuries, neckwear became increasingly formalized, and the bow-shaped version emerged as a recognizable alternative to the long necktie. By the nineteenth century, bow ties were established in men’s fashion, particularly with evening dress, tailored formalwear, and ceremonial clothing.

During the twentieth century, the bow tie acquired several overlapping cultural associations. It remained part of traditional black-tie attire, while also becoming linked with professions and public figures that emphasized individuality, learning, or eccentricity. Musicians, academics, physicians, entertainers, and political figures all helped give the accessory identities beyond formal dress. Although its popularity fluctuated as casual clothing became more common, the bow tie never disappeared; instead, it periodically returned as a symbol of vintage style, sartorial confidence, and deliberate self-expression.

Observed on **August 28**, National Bow Tie Day reflects that wider evolution. Contemporary bow ties are produced in many fabrics, colors, patterns, and shapes, and are worn at weddings, formal events, workplaces, celebrations, and fashion-focused gatherings. The day therefore recognizes more than a single item of clothing: it highlights the bow tie’s long journey from practical neckwear to an enduring cultural symbol of ceremony, personality, and style. (Source: [National Today, “National Bow Tie Day”](https://nationaltoday.com/national-bow-tie-day/))