Patterned Bow Ties for Grooms

Most discussions about wedding fashion center around the women – what color will the bridesmaid jewelry and dresses be, what will the bridal gown look like, and so forth. But hey, the men in the wedding need to look good too! A very stylish look that is favored by Southern grooms (and would be great for any groom, anywhere) is to wear a bow tie. Bow ties are not just for tuxedos; they look fantastic with suits or even without a jacket. See how the most stylish gents wear bow ties for their weddings.

A seersucker suit with a palm tree bow tie is a great look for a summer groom. Image via Pinterest.

I came across a wonderful quote about bow ties on the Southern League website:

“A respected image consultant once said that ‘the average person who wears a bow tie is distrusted by all.’ What all bow tie wearers know is that an average person would never be wearing a bow tie in the first place.” – Owen Edwards for Town and Country

I thought it summed up beautifully the attitude of a man who wears a bow tie instead of a regular straight necktie. There is a strong trend of young men – particularly Southern men – wearing colorful patterned bow ties that I think looks absolutely fantastic. It is definitely a great fashion statement for a groom at any wedding with a preppy or Southern flair. They look especially terrific in cheerful colors that are not afraid to be noticed. The vivid palm tree print on the bow tie above is the perfect complement to the seersucker suit. Imagine a groom wearing this alongside his bride in a lace strapless dress and pearl earrings: absolutely classic.

Another dashing bow tie look. Image via Society Bride.

The print on the groom’s bow tie can be chosen to represent his favorite hobbies, his college affiliations, or just a favorite pattern like madras or seersucker. I don’t think that it is strictly necessary for the colors in the tie to match the bridesmaid dresses or the wedding flowers; as long as the colors all look good together, that is good enough. While many people think of bow ties as being conservative or old fashioned, they are frequently donned by young men who wear them with other prints or daring colors. When you pair a green horse racing motif tie with a pinkish jacket, no one is going to accuse you of playing it too safe.

A classic preppy look courtesy of Southern Proper.

Tan or khaki suits are ideal for a warm weather wedding, and a bow tie is an excellent choice to complete the look. The example above shows how a groom (or groomsman or wedding guest) can wear a bow tie in a more toned day way. Note how the colors in his tie are echoed in the pocket square. It is those kind of details that will make people say, “Now there is a man who really knows how to dress!”.

The navy blazer and khakis look great with a bow tie. Image credit: 1313 Photography via Southern Weddings Magazine.

Not every wedding calls for a full suit, in which case a navy blazer and khakis are a great alternative. The groom above looks quite relaxed in his casual belt and brown shoes, but the bow tie ensures that he still looks polished. It is the ultimate in relaxed elegance. From formal to casual, bow ties always look great on grooms.