1960s Men’s Continental Bow Tie

In America in the late 1950s the traditional boxy and bulky cuts of English suits gave way to the slimmer and more youthful Italian cut which became known as the Continental Look. To complement this new streamlined style of tuxedo, formalwear manufacturers introduced the Continental Tie, a wide strip of black fabric that crossed over at the throat where it was held together by a snap or decorative pin. This style was adopted and popularized during the 1960s by rockabilly and country western musicians like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash and are still popular neckwear for Rockabilly or Western-themed formal attire.

This particular continental tie is a faded brown silk with a fabric covered snap. It is adjustable and in perfect vintage condition, except for the fading of the fabric, which gives it an orangey-brown color. It is adjustable from neck size 13 up to 17 1/2”.