Plaid Bow Ties

Men's plaid bow tie and self tie bow ties made in your choice of Scottish plaid. Choose from 500 authentic clan plaids woven in Scotland.

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About our Plaid Bow Ties

The perfect Scottish finishing touch for men's formalwear. Each made from the finest plaid fabric (woven in Scotland of course) our plaid bow ties will complete your kilt outfit or three piece suit with elegance and personality. Shop from a vast selection of in-stock bow ties or have yours made to order, in over 500 tartans. 


Choose a bold tartan to make a statement with a dark or plain suit, or go for the full Scottish heritage looks with a tartan jacket to match your bow tie. The bolder among us might even try clashing plaids, a favourite contrast is the yellow loud MacLeod Dress with the red Wallace Modern.

Bow Tie Musselburgh
Bow Tie Home Ancient
Bow Tie Shaw Ancient

Plaid Bow Tie Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I wear a tartan bow tie to a black tie event?

    We are often asked when it is appropriate to wear a tartan bow tie, or whether a tartan bow tie can be worn to a black tie event. The answer is a straight forward yes. Whether you choose to co-ordinate your tartan bow tie with a matching cummerbund to complete the look is up to you. The wardrobe instruction "black tie" does not mean you must dress like a funeral director and you cannot bring your Scottish heritage along to the event, choose your clan tartan or a color combination to suit your outfit.

Where did the bow tie originate?

    As with most garments the bow tie started off with a very practical purpose when during the Prussian wars the Croatian mercenaries used them to tie their shirt collars shut. Again true to tradition it was the French who made them a stylish accessory in the XVIII and XIX century.

Can women wear tartan bow ties?

    The bow tie was long thought of as a strictly male accessory until in the 1920s and 30s this quirky knot was made famous by silver screen stars Marlene Dietrich and Katharine Hepburn, making it acceptable for women to wear bow ties, and other "masculine" clothing such as tailored suits and button down shirts.

Are bow ties only for formal wear?

    Historically a formal wear accessory, worn with a tuxedo for black tie events, the bow tie has become in the last few decades an accessory that can add character any day of the week. From nerdy "Science Guy" looks, to the accessory of choice to style icons such as Karl Lagerfeld and Manolo Blahnik, the bow tie has created a niche for itself as a compliment to a great many varying ensembles. And a tartan bow tie adds even more personality and versatility carrying with it the story of your heritage.

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History of the Bow Tie

The biggest bow tie in the world is 15ft long and 7ft tall and while we are tempted to try to make a tartan one to challenge this we will focus first of all on sharing a little bit of history about this quirky men's accessory.


As with most garments the bow tie started off with a very practical purpose when during the Prussian wars the Croatian mercenaries used them to tie their shirt collars shut. Again true to tradition it was the French who made them a stylish accessory in the XVIII and XIX century. Originally bow ties also required a level of skill and today we still sell lots of self tie bow ties and we even have a handy guide for you to follow if you fancy trying yourself. Today 78% of all bow ties produced are pre-tied, with only 22% of us prepared to learn the skill required to tie our own.

ScotlandShop on the Sofa

Join Monja & Niall on the ScotlandShop Sofa as they talk you through the history of ties & bow ties. They'll showcase their favourite styles and you can learn how to wear your tie or bow tie correctly.

Macleod harris self tie

Follow six simple steps to create the perfect tartan bow.