# Bow ties for a job interview: yea, nea, or meh? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 7, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189 "2015-01-07T03:18:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/41 "2015-01-07T19:26:10Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Neckties suck, all of them. > > Doesn’t matter what kind, bow, standard, ascot, bolo, I hate them all Why? Is it because you find them uncomfortable? If so, buy your shirts with a collar .5 larger than your neck, leave the collar button undone and use a full Windsor knot to hide it and provide another .5 inch. If it’s because you dislike the formality of it, then I guess there’s no helping that. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/42 "2015-01-07T19:28:03Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I wouldn’t wear one…unless you’re a flamboyant southern homosexual gentleman Well, that’s rather why I’m looking for work. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/43 "2015-01-07T19:52:11Z")
Personally, I think that a job interview is already such a high stress situation, I wouldn’t do, or wear anything that’s outside my comfort zone. If I were to wear a bow tie to an interview, I’d be so aware of it that I’d be slightly off kilter during the interview. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/44 "2015-01-07T19:56:27Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > On the other hand, my most recent library job I lost for being gay. That’s not paranoia: the c&nt in charge (think Dolores Umbridge) pretty much told me that gays are disgusting, though she lied about it later- as did her henchman witness (think Buffalo Bill if he had finished the woman suit), and I was fired 24 hours after I made a complaint about her to HR, so, if they would fire somebody for minor flamboyance, better perhaps not to work there to begin with. Yow, that’s horrible. I have no opinion about the tie issue, but I hope you get a job working for/with some good people who appreciate you. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/45 "2015-01-07T20:23:01Z")
If you are Orville Redenbacher, Waylon Smithers or Peewee Herman go right ahead. Otherwise no. ---
**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/46 "2015-01-07T20:33:52Z")
I deal with this type of thing in my job. First off, yes bow ties are still an acceptable business wear as are suspenders, not necessarily together. But the bottom line is, you want the job and as another poster said, “interviewers can be picky.” You can always express your individuality after you land the job. What you should do is dress for the job. Find out what the others who have your job wear and dress at that level or above it. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/47 "2015-01-07T20:50:23Z")
I mostly agree with **msmith537**. In the right context, wearing a bowtie speaks to a level of sartorial self confidence that can make you stand out in a good way. Public library: Go for it.\* Academic library: Go for it.\* Law library: Don’t go for it. Corporate library: Definitely don’t go for it. - If and only if the whole ensemble is slightly more casual, meaning the jacket and trousers are separates and the jacket is a more casual fabric (tweed, heavy worsted, corduroy…) or cut (blazer or sportcoat.) If it’s a standard three-season worsted business suit, wear a regular tie. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/48 "2015-01-07T21:06:08Z")
I hate to beat a dead horse at this point, but it’s an interview; where they could ultimately do you the favor of asking you to work for them. You don’t want to give them ANY reason to mark you off the list of potential candidates. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/49 "2015-01-07T21:23:31Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > On the other hand, my most recent library job I lost for being gay. That’s not paranoia: the c&nt in charge (think Dolores Umbridge) pretty much told me that gays are disgusting, though she lied about it later- as did her henchman witness (think Buffalo Bill if he had finished the woman suit), and I was fired 24 hours after I made a complaint about her to HR, so, if they would fire somebody for minor flamboyance, better perhaps not to work there to begin with. Yelp reviews mentioning they are bigots would be appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/50 "2015-01-07T21:36:40Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If you are Orville Redenbacher, Waylon Smithers or Peewee Herman go right ahead. Otherwise no. > **[List of bow tie wearers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bow_tie_wearers)** > > This is a list of notable bow tie wearers, real and fictional; notable people for whom the wearing of a bow tie (when not in formal dress) is also a notable characteristic. > Bow tie wearing can be a notable characteristic for an individual. Men's clothier Jack Freedman told The New York Times that wearing a bow tie "is a statement maker" that identifies a person as an individual because "it's not generally in fashion". Numerous writers and bow tie sellers have observed that the popularity of th... ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/51 "2015-01-07T21:54:34Z")
> [@black\_rabbit](#): > > I mostly agree with **msmith537**. In the right context, wearing a bowtie speaks to a level of sartorial self confidence that can make you stand out in a good way. > > Public library: Go for it.\* > > Academic library: Go for it.\* > > Law library: Don’t go for it. > > Corporate library: Definitely don’t go for it. > > - If and only if the whole ensemble is slightly more casual, meaning the jacket and trousers are separates and the jacket is a more casual fabric (tweed, heavy worsted, corduroy…) or cut (blazer or sportcoat.) If it’s a standard three-season worsted business suit, wear a regular tie. I agree completely with this list. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/52 "2015-01-08T00:34:22Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Why? > > Is it because you find them uncomfortable? If so, buy your shirts with a collar .5 larger than your neck, leave the collar button undone and use a full Windsor knot to hide it and provide another .5 inch. > > If it’s because you dislike the formality of it, then I guess there’s no helping that. I’ll take “both” for $1000, Alex 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/53 "2015-01-08T01:05:20Z")
Well, to the OP: is it a made-up bow tie, or do you have to tie it yourself? Made-up bow tie – unforgiveable. Tied yourself – ok, but not for the interview. You can wear it to work as soon as you know they like you. Tied yourself, then wildly rumpled – used to walk in to parties and look like you’ve already been someplace really really cool. Try walking in backwards while carrying a drink. > [@bump](#): > > And doctors. My sons’ doctor wears one because babies grab a regular tie, and because in general they spread disease. Yup. My erstwhile wouldn’t wear one. He was a coroner. I always thought that was a good idea, even though the bodies don’t exactly grab the tie. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/54 "2015-01-08T01:11:51Z")
I am that guy in the office who wears a bow tie. I would never consider wearing one to an interview. Save them for once you have the job. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/55 "2015-01-08T01:36:03Z")
Good luck with the interview; I hope the people are a bit more 21st century/human beings than your last employer. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/56 "2015-01-08T18:38:45Z")
So I won’t do a new thread with a poll, but will ask: It’s supposed to be a chilly day- not cold, but chilly. Would a necktie and a light sweater and dress pants look okay? Assume the job will be business casual and nobody wears ties or dress clothes on a daily basis. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/57 "2015-01-08T18:41:31Z")
Better a suit coat, IMO. Good luck on the interview - you’ll knock 'em dead. Regards, Shodan PS - you have a beard, IIRC. How can they tell if you are wearing a bow tie? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/58 "2015-01-08T18:59:59Z")
Better a jacket of some kind. I wouldn’t say that in libraries it has to be a suit coat, but a blazer or tweed or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/59 "2015-01-08T20:14:53Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] PS - you have a beard, IIRC. How can they tell if you are wearing a bow tie? [/QUOTE] As I’ve had to say so damned many times in my life, it isn’t as long as you remember it; it just seemed that way at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189/60 "2015-01-08T20:32:55Z")
A bow tie is _always_ a bad idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-ties-for-a-job-interview-yea-nea-or-meh/709189.md?page=4)