Louisville Magazine is Louisville's city magazine, covering Louisville people, lifestyles, politics, sports, restaurants, entertainment and homes. Includes a monthly calendar of events.
Issue link: https://loumag.epubxp.com/i/138735
style & fashion By Mary Chellis Austin Since its 17th century beginnings, as a practical collar tie, the bow tie has gone in and out of vogue. According to the After Six formalwear website, those chic French turned the bow tie into a fashion accessory that gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. But somehow the vanguards always bring it back as though it's new. The Pretty Gritty photographer Amber Garvey has spotted several locals sporting the neckwear, and retailers around town will tell you: bow ties are in demand. John Jackson, owner of Shirts Ties N Links in Westport Village, dons a multicolored, polka dot, butterfy-style tie along with his fat cap, cuff links and braces, which Jackson will sternly inform you is the proper term for suspenders. "I've been wearing bow ties since the early '80s," he says. "(Louisville sculptor) Ed Hamilton and U of L professor Bob Douglas are both known for wearing them. A lot of doctors wear them because that extra hanging from neck ties gets in the way." But what about tying the darn things? "Close your eyes and it's identical to tying your shoes," Jackson says. If you get stuck, he can give you a lesson. Jackson taught 22 people for Derby alone, including a few women, he says, "because they catch on quicker." Derby photos by Pretty Gritty Fit to be Tied Locally handmade vintage foral fabric, $18 (The Nitty Gritty) Seaward & Stearn silk paisley, $75 (Shirts Ties N Links) High Cotton stars and stripes, $50 (The Fashion Post) Royal Hanauer seersucker, $40 (Rodes) Bill's Private Stock silk feur-de-lis, $72 (Von Maur) Vintage polka dot clip on, $12 (The Nitty Gritty) 92 LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE 7.13