Fashion trends are gradually heading back to the older days of formality. We are currently seeing the return of bow ties for people who want to stand out at dinners or events like wedding ceremonies.The bow tie is worn to give a person a unique look and to enhance the wearer’s suit. Unlike the older days when bow ties had to match the rest of the outfit, they can now be worn to add colour or brighten up the outfit. Marcus Kaneza, an event organiser who attends parties and dinners regularly, says people who wear bow ties stand out as they break from the norm. “At dinners or events like weddings, bow ties stand out as the wearer does not stick to traditional neckties,” he says. However, Kaneza advises that bow ties should not be worn too fanatically. “Once in a while it is okay, but wearing it to the office every day is going overboard.”Also, unlike the older times when bow ties were only for men, they can now also be worn by women who want to look edgy. Again, neither can they pair the accessory with formal outfits. Bow ties now come with options of African prints for those with an artistic side. These are solely for casual wear and are mostly paired with chinos or denim. The best thing about bow ties in the new age is that there are not as many rules while wearing one. You can pair it with denim or a suit, which was not common back in the day.The hardest part about wearing bow ties is the fact that few people know how to knot a bow tie; it is a skill that only few have perfected. But local designers have designed ready-to-wear bowties that have an elastic band to hold the bow in place, which comes in handy for wearers.African print bow ties are mostly custom-made but the other formal bow ties can be found at leading fashion stores in Kigali.In Kigali, a formal bow tie goes for between Rwf3,500 and Rwf5,500 while custom-made ones go for around Rwf5,000.
