The Definitive Guide To Bolo Ties (2024)

Ready to discover the diverse and magical world of bolo ties?

Our ultimate guide explores the evolution of this iconic accessory, from classic turquoise and sterling silver designs to modern innovations inspired by cowboy culture and emerging technology.

Unveil the creative genius behind today's bolo tie revolution and learn how these versatile pieces can elevate your wardrobe, make a bold impression, and become cherished heirlooms.

Let's dive in!

THE BOLO TIE –MORE THAN JUST AN ACCESSORY

When you think of bolo ties, what comes to mind? For most folks, that list often includes things like:

• Turquoise bolo ties

• Sterling silver bolo ties

• Arrowheads and Eagle bolo ties

• Cowboy Hats and Longhorns

• New Mexico and Arizona landscapes

• Grandfatherly figures

But the truth is that in the last decade or so, the bolo tie has become a fashion universe unto itself.

Bolos are having their moment in the sun, even on the runway of the Oscars! Daniel Kwan (of Everything, Everywhere, All At Once) just recently accepted some very prestigious awards in a stylish bolo-powered outfit!

So clearly, if you’re reading this article then you’re onto something good.

For many bolo wearers, this unique piece of neckwear is more than just an accessory. It transcends style to become a lifestyle, an identity, and a blank slate of self-expression.

It may surprise you to know, but there are many bolo tie collectors with dozens and even hundreds of bolos in their collection.

And the magic of these collections is that with quality bolo ties, no two ties are the same. How cool is that?

Let’s take a quick look at the origins of the bolo tie.

HISTORY OF BOLO TIES

As an avid bolo tie historian, it’s important that I begin at the beginning, even if only briefly.

The widely accepted origin of the bolo tie rests with an Arizonian named Victor Cedarstaff.

This intrepid man of the west had an idea for a piece of fashionable but utilitarian neckwear when his hat almost blew off his head, but the leather cord caught around his neck – preventing his hat from flying away.

Cedarstaff’s idea blended aspects of a sliding concho with his own patented design for a bolo tie slide and voila –the bolo tie was born. The name is derived from the word boleadora, a type of South American lariat.

Many other historians rightly note that this style of neckwear also has roots in the styles and traditions of America’s indigenous peoples.

Cedarstaff was not the first person to ever slide a concho on a cord or a scarf –he was just the first to patent a component of what we now recognize as the bolo tie.

STATE NECKTIE OF ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, AND TEXAS

Either way you slice the enigmatic origins of the bolo, it has clearly moved into a unique cultural pantheon in the United States.

In fact, the “bola tie” first became the state necktie of Arizona in April 22, 1971.

Then New Mexico did the same on March 13, 2007.

And finally, Texas followed suit on May 23, 2007!

Flashing into the present era, the number of high profile bolo wearers is almost too numerous to list.

As a music lover myself, I’ve enjoyed seeing bolos on the necks of pop stars like Bruno Mars, Post Malone, Nick Jonas, Lil Nas X, and more.

And as the creator of an aspirational Western luxury brand, it’s been a delight to see high end fashion houses putting their own spin on the concept. Don’t be surprised if you see Prada bolo ties and Versace bolo ties out there in the wild, although they do sometimes come across as a little gaudy.

From the American west to all corners of the globe (including the most recent Oscars!), it’s clear we’ve got a hit accessory on our hands.

WHAT’S IN A NAME: BOLO, BOLA, BOLERO

A little digging on the internet might have you thinking that there are other widely accepted names for the bolo tie out there in the world. You might see terms like:

• bola tie or bolero tie

• cowboy necktie / cowboy tie (or cowgirl)

• bootlace tie

• texan tie

• string tie

• and even... shudders... bowlow tie

But BOLO TIE is the most popular name.

However you want to call it, this fashionable statement piece was born of something uniquely American, and it lives on today in continual evolution and metamorphosis with the times.

SHAPES, SIZES, AND BOLO STYLES

Today, bolo ties aren’t only made in places you’d expect, such as New Mexico and Arizona.

They’re made all over the world, from bohemian studios in Brooklyn and Los Angeles to factory stamped bolos in China, and even in creative labs like Cord & Clasp in Austin, Texas where we blend next-gen technology with our collectible neckwear.

Now, you may or may not be the type of person who normally wears necklaces or neckwear in general.

But the bolo tie is a different thing entirely and it sits in its own distinct lane in your wardrobe.

With colors, textures, and materials spanning a huge spectrum, there is truly something for everyone in the world of bolos.

Let’s explore a few different popular and iconic styles of bolo ties.

NATIVE AMERICAN BOLO TIES

To begin, we should pay homage to the truest and longest running artisans of the bolo game: Native American silversmiths.

Travel the west for any length of time and you’ll find yourself in a Western shop with many fine silver creations on display. Depending on where you are in the country, these masterworks of fine metal will be the creations of someone from tribes like the Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and more.

Craftsmen like Mark Lomayestewa, Frank Atencio, and Patrick Lomawaima have long created both elegant designs as well as more creative designs.

Here is a great picture of Native American bolo ties made with very different materials and creative approaches.

These high end western bolo ties often feature themes of southwestern patterns, aztec patterns, thunderbirds, and more. They also frequently showcase fancy inlay work of gemstones (classic turquoise stone, Mojave purple turquoise, opal, etc.) with silver and gold metalwork.

In some cases, the medallion and the metal tips are conceptually connected in the overall design!

You’ll find that because these pieces are artisanal masterworks they typically cost a pretty penny.

Buying a Native American-made bolo tie can run you between a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars. For the discerning collector, these often represent a highest level of attainable quality with bolo tie designs and thus they’re quite desirable.

I myself have one or two pieces of neckwear from my grandfather’s collection that he picked up decades ago on roadtrips through Arizona and New Mexico – they’re not the best quality I’ve ever seen but they hold a special place in my heart anyway. :)

MODERN BOLO TIES

Today’s intrepid explorers of bolo tie fashion are taking the core idea of a bolo tie’s design to new places, although oddball bolos have been around since the earliest days.

(Many people have told me the stories of their own bolo tie creations back in the day –glueing some found object to a clasp and putting it on a braided leather cord.)

We’re in brilliant new territory today. Here are a few design aesthetics that I’ve seen emerge in the past decade:

• Modern elegant creations featuring line art and geometries

• Bauhaus-inspired designs made of chunky plastic

• Recycled glass medallions with vegan / cork leather

• Antique pillbox medallions for secret storage

• NASCAR matchbox cars on bolo cords (can’t lie, I’m not a big fan of these 😅)

I think there will always be a market for low quality meme-centric bolo ties, simply because the idea of bolo ties is fascinating to people. There's nothing wrong with these either! They’re just not collector’s items and will rarely offer the same level of quality as an artisan’s work. (That doesn’t mean they can’t go viral on TikTok, though!)

In the case of Cord & Clasp, I’ve been designing bolo ties for 11 years and my own design origins have touched these styles at some point.

I’ve designed bolo ties with many of the items listed above, even using materials like mahjong tiles, dice, and dominos to build area code-themed designs! The mahjong bolo is still a personal favorite of mine.

But my aspirations changed when I finally got my designs on the high fashion runway during London Fashion Week 2014/2015.

After producing a custom set of commissioned ties to match looks by Michael Kors and Chanel, I knew I wanted to aim for a higher level of production and artistry, and make a beautiful work of art for every piece.

Today, Cord & Clasp is focused on creating the modern luxury bolo tie design.

In the context of luxury in the 2020s, this goal stretches beyond impeccable material sourcing to include the integration of a modern technology approach powered by NFC chips, community building, next-gen loyalty programs, and digital twin NFTs.

In our own collection you’ll find a range of bolo designs including:

• Wedding bolo ties made with semiprecious gemstones

• “Networked” neckwear with NFC chips embedded in the leather cord

• Completely virtual Metaverse-first bolo tie designs for your digital identity

• Artist-made medallions in custom color ways

• Found objects including vintage coins, enamel pins, and precious / semiprecious metals

At the end of the day, there is an accessible level of luxury and personal style with these bolos that appeals to both a new collector and a bolo veteran.

BREAKING THE MOLD

One last note on bolo tie style is that with today’s global supply chain, modern bolo tie makers are unlocking incredible new creative opportunities.

In our collection of ties you’ll find a wide range of solid color cords that go way beyond black leather, and our choice of medallions includes stones from far and wide in every color under the sun.

As far as cords go, bolos can be made with natural materials like cow leather, kangaroo leather and buckskin, and alternative materials such as cotton rope laces, paracord, and cork/vegan leather.

Metals might include a range of true gold and sterling silvers, as well as brass, nickel, steel, rhodium, and more.

MODERN WESTERN WEAR

Fashion is whatever you want it to be. It is wearing your internal style on the outside.

That’s why you’re likely to see men’s bolo ties and women’s bolo ties being worn interchangeably by whoever likes the style.

Bolo tie fashion is on the rise, and you don’t have to be a stereotypical western cowboy to make it work for you.

Shows like Yellowstone have put western style on the map, complete with cowboy boots and cowboy hats.

But the options are infinite. No matter how you choose to style bolo ties in your wardrobe, you can make it work.

Here are a few ways that you can rock a bolo in your day-to-day:

• Relaxed

  • For a chilled-out style, sport your bolo loosely. Slide it down the cord a little bit, positioned a few inches beneath your collarbone. This laid-back look is perfect for all genders and pairs well with most shirt styles, be it collared, t-shirt, v-neck, or tank top.

• Fancy

  • To rock the classic bolo-as-a-necktie look, button your shirt all the way up, and slide the bolo ornament snugly up to the top button (or very close to it). It’s okay to leave a little breathing room at the top :)

• Necklace

  • If you're feeling more necklace vibes than necktie, slide that bolo clasp all the way down, close to the tips. You can leave a small one or two inch gap between the clasp and the tips, and work it in as a unique layer in your outfit.

BOLO TIE WEDDINGS

The expanding cultural interest with bolos has culminated in a boom of bolo tie weddings.

Bolo ties for the “big day” usually feature designs with high end materials that match the colors of tuxedos and wedding color palettes.

At my own wedding, my wife and I designed a custom bolo tie collection with hand painted medallions in the style of our wedding colors.

If you’re looking for that special tuxedo bolo tie, there is always the option to custom design a piece of neckwear to match a boutonniere, bouquet, or overall wedding palette.

With the whole world of stones and medallion concepts at your disposal, you can chose to match a black tuxedo with a black stone bolo tie, or you can introduce bolder colors with options like dyed agate, amethyst, many styles of quartz, and our unique mix of globally sourced stones such as K-2 granite, turquoise, star garnet, larimar, and more.

Check out more of our bolo tie stones here.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the world of bolo ties is as vast and diverse as the people who wear them.

From the rich history and skilled craftsmanship of Native American bolo ties to the bold and innovative designs of modern creations, there's a bolo tie to suit every taste and occasion.

Are you ready to embrace your inner trailblazer and make a statement with your neckwear?

With so many styles and materials available, you can express your individuality and creativity, all while keeping the spirit of grit and ingenuity alive.

So before you click “checkout” on that bolo tie you found on Etsy, Amazon, or somewhere else, ask yourself: is this a piece that I think can stand the test of time and ultimately become a family heirloom?

Whether it's for a wedding, everyday wear, or simply to celebrate the unique fusion of tradition and innovation, a bolo tie can be the perfect addition to your wardrobe.

Happy trails, partner.