Tie one on — it’s National Bow Tie Day!

Shirley McMarlin
Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 9:39 a.m. | Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 9:39 a.m.

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Bow ties are appropriate for less formal events, and required for those designated "black tie."

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Pee-wee Herman, a character created by actor Paul Reubens, always wore a tight-fitting suit topped with a red bow tie.

Tying a bow tie might not be an essential skill right now, with weddings postponed, galas canceled and takeout replacing fine dining for many.

But the day will come when the pandemic fades and normal activities resume — and in the meantime, the ritzy fashion accessory deserves a nod, because today is National Bow Tie Day.

The bow tie has a long history, for such a short tie. It debuted as a new style of neckwear in the early 19th century as a modification of its predecessor, the cravat. By the mid-1880s, it was a staple in the well-dressed man’s wardrobe.

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“National Bow Tie Day on August 28th encourages everyone to wear this style of tie with panache! It’s versatile, too. Whether you want to look dapper or humorous, this tie enables you to modify your attire to your mood and atmosphere. The Croatian mercenaries during the Prussian wars of the 17th century were the originators of the bow tie. This bow tie consisted of a scarf around the neck to hold together the opening of their shirts. Using the name cravat (which derived from the French for “Croat”), the upper classes in France soon adopted this idea. Styles range to suit attire and occasion. This fascinating article of clothing crosses eras and generations, too. Not only that but men and women both wear bow ties. As a fashion accessory, its statements may be bold or subtle since they come in a broad range of fabrics, colors and sizes. Some recognizable names from history and fiction have worn bow ties and have worn them well. Winston Churchill, James Bond, Groucho Marx, Orville Redenbacher, Jerry Lewis, Bill Nye, Indiana Jones, Donald Duck and Les Nessman are just a few. The bow tie continues to carry fashion power, today. The celebration has been observed since at least 2007. However, National Day Calendar was unable to identify the founder of the day.” #NationalBowTieDay

A post shared by Guess what National Day it is? (@todayisanational_day) on Aug 27, 2020 at 10:05pm PDT

It has many famous proponents, including British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose steady demeanor guided the United Kingdom through World War II; comedian Groucho Marx, who paired his bow tie with a fake mustache, a cigar and a leer; and Bill Nye, the popular PBS Science Guy.

It’s the preferred look of humorist Mo Rocca, conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson, shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, NFL star Richard Sherman and cartoon characters like Boo-Boo Bear, Huckleberry Hound and Magilla Gorilla.

And let’s not forget Pee-wee Herman, alter ego of actor Paul Reubens, who wore a slim-fitting suit decades before designer Tom Ford made it a wardrobe staple — topped off with a bow tie years before it became a hipster thing.

Check it out, the hipster bow tie is a thing.

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Bow ties are appropriate for both casual and formal dress. In fact, they’re required, along with a tuxedo, when the invitation specifies “Black Tie.”

And don’t even think about getting a pre-tied or clip-on version, except in extreme extenuating circumstances.

Here are the rules, according to ties.com:

• The pre-tied bow tie is suitable for children, and for those who lack or no longer have the dexterity to tie and adjust bow ties for themselves.

• Self-tied bow tie, always; pre-tied bow tie, not unless you’re under 5 or over 105; clip-on bow tie, never never.

Daunted by the prospect of tying your own bow tie? Ties.com says it’s much like riding a bike — it just requires a little practice to master, and once you’ve got it down, you never forget. In fact, it should be a standard weapon in your sartorial arsenal.

So go ahead and tie one on!