If you’re attending a white or black-tie event, a bow tie is essential to your formal outfit. To look the part, your bow tie should be paired with a classic white dress shirt with a winged collar. 

A bow tie and a wing-collared shirt looks absolutely stunning when worn correctly. However, this is one part of your outfit you need to get right; otherwise, you could look undignified and out of place. 

In this blog, the expert tailors at Phillip Alexander will talk you through the general rules for wearing a bow tie with a wing collar to help you look your very best. We’ll cover:

  • What is a bow tie?
  • What is a wing collar?
  • How to wear a bow tie with a winged collar?
  • When should you wear a bow tie with a wing collar?

 

What is a bow tie?

A bow tie is the defining element of formal attire, so nothing less than perfection will suffice. A white bow tie should be worn for white-tie events, while a black one should be worn for black-tie events. 

Although pre-tied bow ties are available, these should only be worn as a last resort. They won’t sit as elegantly as a hand-tied bow tie and lack the presence required for a highly formal event. Always opt for a hand-tied bow tie if you want to look your best. 

 

What is a wing collar?

A wing collar, or wing tip, is found on the most formal of dress shirts. This collar is designed to be worn with a bow tie and typically comes with a Marcella bib front. Unlike the less formal, turned-down collar, the winged collar stands up stiffly with small points that have been pressed to stick outwards.

 

How to wear a bow tie with a winged collar?

Weaning a wing collar with a bow tie is a winning combination that guarantees you’ll look the part at a white or black-tie event. It should be worn with the buttons fully fastened and the wind tips tucked neatly behind your bow tie. This creates a clean look that communicates you know what you’re doing when it comes to formal style. 

 

When should you wear a wing collar and a bow tie?

This combination should only be reserved for the most formal occasions, particularly events with a white or black-tie dress code. A wing collar and bow tie should never be worn to the office or for a business meeting; here, a turned-down collar is more appropriate.

Other collar styles can be worn with a bow tie, but the wing collar should be the only option you consider for a highly formal gathering, whether it’s a wedding, award ceremony or ball. 

 

How Phillip Alexander can help

Although a bow tie and winged collar are essential elements that bring your formal outfit together, they won’t have the desired impact unless paired with a stunning and perfectly fitting tailored suit. 

At Philip Alexander Bespoke Tailors, we are experts at dressing gentlemen for formal events. We’ve been creating bespoke suits and shirts since 1876. 

With locations in Cheshire and Savile Row, we specialise in bespoke suits for all formal occasions, including beautifully tailored wedding suits. Whether you require evening tails for a white-tie wedding or a dinner jacket for a glamorous black-tie awards ceremony, our expert tailors are here to help. 

Bespoke formal suits

If you’re attending a formal wedding or special occasion and want to look your very best, our bespoke suit service is the solution. Having a bespoke suit tailored for you is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s something we believe every man should experience at least once. 

Our world-class tailors will work with you to design a gorgeous suit that fits you perfectly and is handcrafted to your specifications. You can choose from thousands of premium fabric samples and endless style options, so you can be sure the final garment will be completely unique to you!

Made-to-measure formal suits

Our made-to-measure suits combine handcraft and machine work to produce a quality, well-fitting suit in a shorter timeframe and at a lower price than our bespoke service. This is the perfect option if a white or black-tie event is rapidly approaching and you need a quality tailored suit. 

Luxury tailored formal suit hire

If you rarely attend formal events, you might be hesitant to invest in a formal suit of your own. This is why we created our luxury tailored suit hire service. You can borrow one of our beautifully crafted tailored suits for your special occasion to ensure you look the part. Our hire service includes several fitting sessions to guarantee the best possible fit for your event.

If you’d like to learn more about our bespoke tailoring process or any of our tailoring services, contact us today to request an appointment.