Part 1:OoOTie's Bow Tie Lover in the Flesh!

Part 1: OoOTie's Bow Tie Lover in the Flesh!

Meet Jon! This guy who knows how to bring big, bow tie personality to any plain, old lab coat. A proud Canadian and loyal customer and friend of OoOTie, Jon represents bow ties on his on turf. Jon is a master's candidate in geotechnical engineering at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, developing new and innovative ways to study landslides. A firm believer in giving it your all no matter what the task at hand from shaving to writing a letter, you won't find the term 'half-baked' in this bow tie lover's vocabulary. Whether teaching in front of the class or hanging with pals, this smart guy knows how to create a smart and bow tie friendly style.

So you mentioned a few interesting personal habits. For example using a pocket watch, shaving using a shaving brush and straight razor, using a fountain pen and wax seal when writing a letter, writing a letter versus an email, and even wearing bow ties versus regular ties. These seem like unusual traditions for a younger person living in the era of McDonaldization.

Well, I started doing these things probably about seven years ago, but I've slowly built upon them. I've grown an affinity for the "good old times," and am a staunch believer in taking the time to do things well. I believe clothes and presentation are a reflection of the self and the work you do. So if you're going to wear a clip-on tie, it's going to send the message that you don't care, and are taking the easy way out. Whereas if you actually take the time to tie a bow tie properly, you're showing not only that you look the part and care about your physical presentation, but also that you're the kind of person that's going to take the extra steps to do things well.

Describe your style in three words.

I would say, solid in both pattern and character, simple, but not simplistic, and time-honored.



What's typical Canadian style? Are bow ties big in Canada?

I would say that Canadian style is similar to American style. It's probably dominated about 80 percent by the American culture through the media.

Though we may appear very similar, there are subtle differences. If you wanted to get an idea of how Canada and the US differ in attitude, I would check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV_041oYDjg, as this does good job summarizing. Also something that always makes me smile is that when a national contest was held to find the Canadian equivalent to the saying, "As American as apple pie." The wining entry was, "As Canadian as required to be given the circumstances."

As for bow ties in Canada, bow ties aren't really that big here. I haven't seen too many in Kingston, it's about a medium-sized town (population~150,000). Usually if I see someone wearing a bow tie, they're typically wearing one for a special event. But as for casual bow tie wearing, not really.

Since bow ties aren't that big in Canada, what attracted you to them? Have you gotten positive feedback about wearing them? And have you been able to change your friends' minds about them?

What first got me going on bow ties was SciFormal. Every year the graduating undergraduate engineers here at Queen's have a fantastic formal event where the students design and build elaborate sets and decoration. It's like prom but with alcohol and held in a tree fort that you and your 500 best friends built. As with any formal, most people wore rented tuxes. These came with the flimsy and characterless clip on bow ties. I would have none of that and was determined to have a proper tie for the event. Unable to locate one my self, I enlisted the excellent item finding skills of my mother. We eventually found one in downtown Toronto. At that event I got many compliments on it as people did a double take realizing that it had that little bit of asymmetric character that comes with tying it yourself.

So I have gotten positive feedback about wearing bow ties. People really like them. I'm actually known for them (among other things).

As for being able to change my friends' opinions about them, I think everyone has their own personal style. But I would say that at the very least, I've been able to bring bow ties to their attention.


Do you have a favorite Canadian bow tie wearer?

Not really. But I appreciate that Bill Nye made science cool while wearing a bow tie.

Are bow ties the centerpiece or icing to a look?

It depends on the outfit, they're definitely a focal point. People are drawn to them. I think OoOTie's unique designs really showcase how bow ties can be the focus of a look. But you also have to build a whole outfit, where the bow tie then becomes the piece that ties it all together. The bow tie you choose to wear really depends on the tone you're trying to convey whether it's serious or crazy.

****Make sure to stay tuned for part two of Jon's interview, and a lesson on how to create a smart style from this geotechnical engineer. Coming soon!


****Also, a special thank you in advance to all of our fantastic photographers: Kathleen Brown, Samantha Doedens, Mike Dutton, Lyn-Marie Sealy, Doug Tomlinson, and Sarah Zakaib.