Men's Formal Bow Ties NZ: Silk Sets Reviewed (2026)
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: Silk Bow Tie Sets at a Glance
- How We Evaluated These Formal Bow Ties
- Black and Silver Floral Silk Bowtie Set LH-0937: Best for Black-Tie Galas
- Black Golden Floral Silk Set LH-3045: The Statement Piece for Groomsmen
- Pure White Paisley Silk Set LH-7034: Best for Weddings and School Balls
- Purple Gold Silk Set LH-0584: Best for Vibrant Event Dressing
- Black Paisley Silk Set LH-0718: The Timeless Classic for Business Attire
- How to Tie a Bow Tie: Step by Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 17, 2026
Quick Comparison: Silk Bow Tie Sets at a Glance
Choosing men's formal bow ties in New Zealand comes down to one question: how do you get an event-ready look without a tailor's markup? This guide from SimonVon Shop reviews five silk bow tie sets, each priced at $34.50 and each including a matching pocket square and a pair of cufflinks. That price covers the full set, not just the tie, which matters when dressing a groom, a groomsman, or yourself for a school ball.
| Set | Colour and Pattern | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LH-0937 | Black and silver floral | Black-tie galas | $34.50 |
| LH-3045 | Black and golden floral | Groomsmen | $34.50 |
| LH-7034 | Pure white paisley | Weddings and school balls | $34.50 |
| LH-0584 | Purple and gold | Vibrant event dressing | $34.50 |
| LH-0718 | Black paisley | Business attire | $34.50 |
How We Evaluated These Formal Bow Ties
Every set was judged on four criteria: fabric quality, finish and construction, colour versatility, and value for the complete package. We weighted versatility heavily, a bow tie that works for only one event is a poor return on money.
Black and Silver Floral Silk Bowtie Set LH-0937: Best for Black-Tie Galas
If the invitation says black tie, reach for this set first. The black and silver floral pattern sits firmly inside the black tie dress code, which favours restraint over colour. Silver reads as metallic without shouting, pairing cleanly with a black tuxedo, white dress shirt, and black patent shoes.
Black Golden Floral Silk Set LH-3045: The Statement Piece for Groomsmen
The golden floral finish is also the most likely to divide opinion: a groom who prefers understated styling will find it too loud against a plain black suit. Match it to a black suit with gold accents, or keep the rest of the outfit plain and let the bow tie carry the look.
Pure White Paisley Silk Set LH-7034: Best for Weddings and School Balls
White is the safest formal choice for a school ball or daytime wedding, and this set makes it easy. The pure white paisley texture adds depth a flat white bow tie lacks, so it reads as considered rather than borrowed. It works with black, navy, or grey suits, the most versatile set on this list.
Purple Gold Silk Set LH-0584: Best for Vibrant Event Dressing
Not every formal event calls for black and white. The purple and gold set is built for the guest who wants to stand out at a gala, milestone birthday, or creative-industry awards night. Purple and gold suits darker and lighter skin tones alike, and lifts a plain black or charcoal suit instantly.
Black Paisley Silk Set LH-0718: The Timeless Classic for Business Attire
Black paisley earns its keep beyond weddings: a formal business event, a dinner, a funeral, or any occasion where a necktie feels too ordinary but a bright colour feels wrong. Paisley has real history in menswear, and in black it stays conservative while still showing intent.
How to style it without looking like you are at a wedding
The risk with any bow tie in a business setting is that it reads as costume. Three rules keep it on the right side.
- Keep the shirt plain. A white or pale blue shirt with a standard collar. No contrast collars, no French cuffs unless the event is genuinely formal.
- Match the pocket square to the bow tie's dominant colour, not its pattern. The set already does this for you, so resist the urge to swap in a different square. A patterned square against a patterned bow tie is the fastest way to look overdone.
- Let the bow tie be the only patterned element. Plain suit, plain shirt, plain trousers. If you add a patterned waistcoat or a striped shirt, the outfit tips into fancy dress.
When a black paisley bow tie is the right call
- Business formal events such as awards dinners, client functions, and industry galas where a necktie would be fine but a bow tie signals confidence.
- Evening dinners where the dress code is smart but not black tie. A black paisley bow tie with a dark suit and a white shirt is a safe, sharp choice.
- Funerals and memorial services, where a bow tie is acceptable if the deceased or the family favoured them, and black keeps the tone appropriate.
- Weddings as a guest, provided the couple have not specified a colour scheme. If they have, follow it rather than defaulting to black.
When to choose something else
A black paisley bow tie is the wrong choice for a black tie event, where the code calls for a plain black self-tie bow. It is also the wrong choice if you are a groomsman in a wedding party with a set colour scheme, or if the event is a school ball where the expectation is white or a bright colour.
Black Paisley Silk Bow Tie Pocket →
How to Tie a Bow Tie: Step by Step
Pre-tied sets remove the need for this, but knowing how to tie a bow tie is worth having, especially if you buy a self-tie version or want to loosen the knot at the end of the night. It takes about two minutes once you have done it twice.
- Drape the tie around your neck with one end hanging about 4 cm lower than the other. The longer end sits on your dominant-hand side.
- Cross the longer end over the shorter end and pull it up through the loop at your neck to form a simple overhand knot. Do not tighten it yet.
- Fold the shorter end horizontally to form the front bow shape, and hold it flat against your collar with one hand.
- Bring the longer end down over the centre of that folded shape.
- Pinch the folded bow through the loop behind the longer end. You are pushing a folded shape through a gap, not tying a second knot.
- Pull both sides gently to tighten, then adjust the bow until the two sides are even and the knot sits snug against the collar.
Self-tie versus pre-tied: which should you actually wear?
A self-tie bow tie is the traditional choice for black tie and white tie events; the slight asymmetry of a hand-tied bow is part of the look. A pre-tied bow tie is faster and consistent, the sensible option for school balls, groomsmen who are not confident with a knot, and anyone dressing in a hurry. Neither is wrong; the trade-off is time and skill against speed and consistency.
Matching the bow tie to the dress code
Dress codes on an invitation tell you what the bow tie should be, not just whether to wear one.
- White tie is the most formal code. It calls for a white self-tie bow tie in cotton piqué or silk, worn with a tailcoat. A coloured or patterned bow tie is incorrect here.
- Black tie calls for a black self-tie bow tie, traditionally in silk or satin, worn with a tuxedo. A black and silver floral pattern, like the LH-0937 set, sits comfortably inside this code because the silver reads as metallic detail rather than colour.
- Black tie optional or cocktail gives you room to move. A black paisley or a deep colour such as purple and gold works here, provided the rest of the outfit stays restrained.
- Business formal is the one setting where a bow tie is a deliberate choice rather than a requirement. A black paisley set, like LH-0718, is the safest way to wear one without looking like you are attending a wedding.
Care and maintenance for silk bow ties
Silk accessories need more attention than cotton or polyester. Store bow ties flat or rolled, never knotted, because a knot left in place will crease the fabric along the fold. Steam rather than iron; if you must iron, use a low setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the silk. Every set here is dry clean only. For a pre-tied bow tie, loosen the adjustable band before storage so the elastic does not stretch out of shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bow tie considered formal?
Yes. A bow tie is the standard neckwear for black-tie events, weddings and evening wear, and it reads as more formal than a long tie in those settings. For business attire and smart casual dress codes, a long tie or open collar is usually the safer choice. If the invitation specifies black tie, a self-tie or pre-tied silk bow tie is expected rather than optional.
Should I choose a pre-tied or self-tie bow tie?
Pre-tied bow ties are quicker to put on and stay symmetrical all night, which suits groomsmen, school ball attendees and anyone dressing in a hurry. Self-tie versions give a slightly uneven, hand-finished look that many consider more authentic for weddings and galas. If you want the self-tie look without the practice, buy pre-tied and keep a self-tie for occasions where you have time to knot it properly.
How do I coordinate a bow tie with a formal suit?
Match the bow tie and pocket square in the same set so the patterns and colours align, then let the suit and shirt stay plain. A black or white shirt with a dark suit handles bold floral or paisley prints well. If your suit is patterned, choose a bow tie in a solid tone pulled from the suit's colour. The matching cufflinks in each set finish the look without adding a competing colour.
What materials are best for formal bow ties?
Silk is the standard for formal bow ties because it holds a crisp shape and catches light without looking shiny or cheap. The sets reviewed here are silk, hand-finished and dry clean only, which keeps the fabric and shape intact over repeated wears. Cotton and polyester options exist at lower price points but tend to crease more and lose structure faster, so silk remains the better long-term buy for weddings and black-tie events.
How should I care for a silk bow tie?
Dry clean only. Silk bow ties can crease in packaging or storage, so use a steam iron to lift wrinkles rather than a dry iron, which can scorch the fabric. Store the bow tie flat or rolled, not crushed under other accessories, and keep it away from direct sunlight to protect the colour. Each set in this review includes a pocket square and cufflinks, so care for those the same way.