Black tie no longer means ‘black tie’
With the Black Tie Dinner right around the corner, gay Dallas is on the warpath seeking out the look that will stand out among a sea of tuxedos. But it doesn’t have to be all about the suit — you can also distinguish yourself with the hottest high-end fashion for men right now:
The bow tie.
Yes, it’s called the “Black Tie Dinner.” But black is not always the new black when it comes to neckwear.
Dating to the 1700s, bowties have been making their mark in fashion for centuries, worn by some of the most distinguished men in history.
However, they aren’t just for tuxedos, dignitaries, preppies, nerd parties or Chippendale dancers anymore. They have crossed over into the mainstream, where it is more than OK to wear a bowtie; it can actually be quite a quirky and edgy, minimal accessory perfect for spring and summer. Paired with the right shirt, a pop of color focused solely at the neck can make quite the statement, and if it is made from a unique material, than even better.
We’ve seen some snazzy bows on men around town lately, from a wooden version on Raul Ruiz (pictured above), owner of the Uptown Salata restaurant, as well as former football player Dhani Jones (pictured left), whose collections benefit numerous charities through
BowTieCause.com. Bowties also further the fight for gay rights, as Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family and his fiancé Justin Mikita (pictured right with Project Runway designer Patricia Michaels), have started
TieTheKnot.org, a bowtie-selling philanthropic enterprise that benefits the Respect for Marriage Coalition, which advocates for marriage 
equality. Is there anything hotter than sporting cool fashions that also happen to symbolize the battle for equal rights?
Keep that in mind when dressing for the dinner. Fashion isn’t all about fashion; it can be about political statements, too.
— J. Denton Bricker
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition October 25, 2013.