Bow Tie - The bow tie originated among Croatian mercenaries during the Prussian wars of the 17th century. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops. Today, there is something slightly eccentric (in a good way) associated with wearing bow ties away from the traditional realms of ‘
black tie’. TheChicGeek calls it ‘Antique Roadshow chic’.