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{{Short description|Type of necktie}}
[[File:Bolo tie.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Bolo tie]]

A '''bolo tie''' (sometimes '''bola tie''' or '''shoestring necktie''') is a type of [[necktie]] consisting of a piece of cord or braided leather with decorative metal tips (called [[aiguillette]]s) and secured with an ornamental clasp or slide.

==Popularity==
In the United States, bolo ties are widely associated with [[Western wear]] and are generally most common in the [[Western United States|western areas of the country]]. Bolo tie slides and tips in [[silver]] have been part of [[Hopi]], [[Navajo people|Navajo]], [[Zuni people|Zuni]], and [[Puebloan]] [[silversmith]]ing traditions since the mid-20th century.<ref>Tanner, Clara Lee ''Ray Manley's Portraits & Turquoise of Southwest Indians''. Ray Manley Photography Inc.[Tucson], 1975, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 75-38328</ref>

The bolo tie was made the official [[neckwear]] of [[Arizona]] on April 22, 1971, by Governor [[Jack Williams (American politician)|Jack Williams]]. [[New Mexico]] passed a non-binding measure to designate the bolo as the state's official neckwear in 1987. On March 13, 2007, [[Governor of New Mexico|New Mexico Governor]] [[Bill Richardson]] signed into law that the bolo tie was the [[New Mexico symbols#Other|state's official tie]].<ref name="Richardson's Secret Weapon: The Bolo Tie">{{cite web |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/03/underdog_richardsons_secret_we.html |title=Richardson's Secret Weapon: The Bolo Tie |department=The Sleuth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328080651/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2007/03/underdog_richardsons_secret_we.html |archive-date=2013-03-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also in 2007, the bolo tie was named the official tie of [[Texas]].<ref>[http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/bola_tie_bolo_tie/ Texas, The Lone Star State: Bola Tie (Bolo Tie)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
[[Image:Tommy Singer 2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A bolo tie by Tommy Singer]]

In the [[United Kingdom]], bolo ties are known as '''bootlace ties'''. They were popular with 1950s [[Teddy Boy (youth culture)|Teddy Boys]], who wore them with [[drape suit]]s.<ref>Cross, Robert: ''Steven Berkoff and the Theatre of Self-Performance'', Manchester University Press, {{ISBN|0-7190-6254-3}}, p. 36</ref><ref>Ribeiro, Aileen: ''Dress and Morality'', Berg Publishers 2003, {{ISBN|1-85973-782-X}}, p. 164</ref>

Bolo ties became fashionable in the 1980s with [[Rockabilly#The Rockabilly Look|rockabilly revivalists]] and [[new wave music|new wavers]].<ref>{{cite book|year=2013|title=Rocks Off: 50 Tracks That Tell the Story of the Rolling Stones|publisher=St. Martin's Press|last=Janovitz|first=Bill|page=340|isbn=978-1-250-02631-6}}</ref> The bolo tie returned as a popular fashion accessory in the fall of 1988 when male [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] stars{{examples|date=October 2014}} would be frequently found wearing them. [[Chain store]]s like [[Jeanswest]] and [[Merry-Go-Round (retailer)|Merry-Go-Round]] sold multiple choices for all occasions.

During the 1980s and 1990s bolo ties, some elegant and expensive, were sold in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], and [[China]]. Some had fancy, hand-made cords and unusual tips. Sales overseas skyrocketed post-1970s; this was due to the overflow from the United States, where it had fallen out of fashion in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hochman|first=Benjamin|url=http://www.denverpost.com/hochman/ci_24863879/philip-rivers-bolo-ties-catch-eye-broncos-fans|title=Philip Rivers' bolo ties catch eye of Broncos fans, Denver haberdasher|newspaper=Denver Post|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref>

Author John Bloom (a.k.a. horror host and drive-in expert [[Joe Bob Briggs]]) is known by his trademark wearing of various bolo ties during his televised and live shows.

During the [[2013 NFL season]], [[San Diego Chargers]] quarterback [[Philip Rivers]] captured media attention for his frequent use of bolo ties. He was noted wearing one again after defeating the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] in the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Summers|first=Dave|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Philip-Rivers-Chargers-quarterback-bolo-tie-238997321.html|title=Where Did Philip Rivers Get That Bolo Tie?|publisher=NBC San Diego|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Chris|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/philip-rivers-bolo-tie/|title=Philip Rivers makes powerful fashion statement in postgame press conference|publisher=USA Today|work=For the Win|date=November 24, 2013|access-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref>

==Origins==
Victor Cedarstaff of [[Wickenburg, Arizona]], claims to have invented the bolo tie in the late 1940s and later [[patent]]ed his slide design.<ref>{{US Patent|2896217}}, filed May 24, 1954, issued July 28, 1959, to Victor Ceaderstaff</ref>

According to an article in ''[[Sunset (magazine)|Sunset]]'':

{{blockquote|Victor Cedarstaff was riding his horse one day in Wickenburg, AZ where he was a cowboy when his hat blew off. Wary of losing the silver-trimmed hatband, he slipped it around his neck. His companion joked, "That's a nice-looking tie you're wearing, Victor." An idea incubated, and Smith soon fashioned the first bola tie (the name is derived from ''boleadora'', an Argentine and Uruguayan [[lariat]]).<ref>"Cool under the collar: Arizona's bola ties" by Lawrence W. Cheek, ''Sunset'', April 2002</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[Neckerchief]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bolo ties}}
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001829.html Montana Leader Defends Bolo Ties]
{{Clear}}

{{Folk costume}}
{{Clothing}}
{{Rodeo}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolo Tie}}
[[Category:Native American culture]]
[[Category:Neckties]]
[[Category:Western wear]]
[[Category:1940s fashion]]
[[Category:1950s fashion]]
[[Category:1960s fashion]]
[[Category:1970s fashion]]
[[Category:1980s fashion]]
[[Category:Symbols of Arizona]]
[[Category:Symbols of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Symbols of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Symbols of Texas]]
[[Category:Symbols of California]]
[[Category:Rodeo clothing]]