Spare A Thought For The Diamond Point Bow Tie

Amongst bow tie enthusiasts I have seen lately a renewed interest for the diamond point shape. The diamond point shape is common enough amongst bow tie makers but few get it right. Some start with a skinny batwing (4cm)  and add a diamond tip at each end to this rectangular shape. The best reference I can think of for this style is the piano playing Sam from Casablanca. The other base shapes that diamond points are created from are wide batwings, mid-batwings and butterflies of various sizes depending on the maker. Each diamond point bow tie will therefore tie differently based on the pattern from which it was derived. It should come as no surprise therefore that the best diamond points are usually tied from the skinnier bow ties or the scalloped butterfly shapes whereas the more difficult ones to get right are the mid-batwing and wide batwing shapes. If you know how to knot a bow tie well and have worked with bows from many makers, most of what I write is academic. However, if you are not familiar with diamond points, perhaps consider taking a bit more time when you pick up your first one to make sure you tie it correctly. If you get it right, you will have a certain Sean Connery appeal, if you take a wrong turn you can head down Pee Wee Herman Alley.

Classic reference #1 : Casablanca's Sam wearing what appears to be a skinny batwing diamond point

Contemporary reference #1: A more contemporary look and most likely based on a butterfly shape rather than a batwing; James Bond (Daniel Craig) in a more robust diamond point bow tie. 

The Secret To Tying A Diamond Point Bow Tie

One of the things I most suggest about tying a diamond point is to marry up your tips correctly. The first arm of your bow tie that you fold under your chin will set both the length and the symmetry for the diamond tip on the other side. It is essential that when you fold the bow tie you consider the length of the opposing arm and how it will drop down through the centre. The second arm must drop down over the centre of the first folded arm until it approximately reaches the point that you would consider where the shape of the bow ends and the band of the bow tie begins.

See the diagram below for assistance.

The joys of a diamond point bow tie are not limited to black tie events - for more inspirational diamond points visit www.lenoeudpapillon.com