Black Bow Tie With a Black Suit: Classic or Boring?
Growing up, I always wondered why the groomsmen would wear black bow ties.
Surely they were supposed to match the colour of the bridesmaid dresses?
That was how I thought weddings worked.
The bridesmaids had their colour. The groomsmen had their matching colour. Everyone coordinated, everything matched, and the wedding photos looked like one big colour palette.
But I've changed my mind.
Now I'm all for black suits and black bow ties.
And honestly, I think there is something seriously underrated about keeping the groom and groomsmen in black.
It's classic. It's sharp. It's incredibly easy to coordinate.
And no, I don't think it has to be boring.
In fact, I think black gives you more freedom to make the look interesting.
Why Black Works
There's a reason black has stuck around in menswear for so long.
It doesn't need much explanation.
A black suit with a black bow tie and a crisp white shirt creates a clean, timeless combination that works particularly well for weddings.
You don't have to worry about whether the bow tie is the exact same shade as the bridesmaid dresses.
You don't have to find a particular shade of burgundy, dusty blue or sage green.
And you definitely don't have to spend three hours comparing 14 slightly different shades of "champagne."
Black is black.
And sometimes that's exactly the point.
But Doesn't Everything Have to Match?
No.
This is probably where my thinking has changed the most.
I used to think the groomsmen's accessories needed to tie directly into the bridesmaids' dresses.
Now I think the better approach is to coordinate rather than match.
The bridesmaids can have their colour.
The groom and groomsmen can have their black suits and black bow ties.
Then you can bring the wedding colours together through flowers, pocket squares, boutonnieres, ties, shoes or other smaller details.
The result can actually feel more sophisticated because everything doesn't look like it came from the same colour chart.
Black Doesn't Mean Boring
Here's where things get interesting.
If you're going to keep the suit and bow tie black, you have a lot more freedom to play around with the bow tie itself.
And this is exactly why I love offering such a wide variety of bow ties at Untied.
You can keep the overall outfit classic while making the bow tie anything but ordinary.
Think:
- Classic black bow ties
- Butterfly bow ties
- Vintage-inspired styles
- Textured black bow ties
- Studded bow ties
- Crystal details
- Different shapes and silhouettes
- More statement-making designs
The colour stays consistent.
The personality doesn't have to.
The Groom Doesn't Have to Wear the Same Black Bow Tie
This is one of my favourite ways to approach a wedding party.
The groomsmen can wear traditional black bow ties while the groom wears something a little more distinctive.
Everyone is still wearing black.
Everyone still looks like they're part of the same wedding party.
But there's a clear difference between the groom and the groomsmen.
Maybe the groom wears a butterfly bow tie.
Maybe he chooses a textured or studded design.
Maybe he wants something completely different.
That's up to him.
The important thing is that the difference looks intentional.
My Hot Take
If you're going with black suits and black bow ties, don't be afraid to lean into it.
I've always loved the idea of pushing boundaries and doing something a little different.
But you don't always have to use colour to make a statement.
Sometimes the statement is in the details.
A black suit.
A black bow tie.
A white shirt.
And then a bow tie that makes someone look twice.
That's much more my style.
What About the Bridesmaid Dresses?
This is where I think black becomes even more useful.
Instead of trying to make the groomsmen's bow ties match the bridesmaids exactly, let the two sides of the wedding party complement each other.
If the bridesmaids are wearing burgundy, sage, dusty blue, pink or another colour, you don't necessarily need to put that colour around the groom's neck.
Let the dresses have their moment.
Black creates a strong, neutral foundation that allows the bridesmaids' dresses, flowers and other wedding details to stand out.
And if you really want to bring the colours together, there are plenty of other ways to do it.
A pocket square.
A boutonniere.
A tie pin.
Socks.
Flowers.
Small details can do a lot of work.
Classic or Boring?
So, is a black bow tie with a black suit classic or boring?
Classic.
But only if you let it be.
The black suit and black bow tie combination gives you the foundation.
What you do with the details is what makes the outfit yours.
If you're after a traditional wedding look, a classic black bow tie will always work.
If you want something more modern, choose a different shape or texture.
If you're the groom and want to stand out, choose something that your groomsmen aren't wearing.
You can have the timelessness of black without looking like every other wedding party.
And that, for me, is the sweet spot.
Keep the colour classic. Make the details your own.
Find Your Black Bow Tie
At Untied Tie Club, you'll find a range of black bow ties designed for grooms, groomsmen, weddings and anyone who doesn't want to settle for the ordinary.
From classic styles to butterfly, vintage, studded, crystal and more distinctive designs, there's more than one way to wear black.
Because black might be classic.
But it certainly doesn't have to be boring.
Thanks
Andy
