Abolo tie (sometimesbola tie orshoestring necktie) is a type ofnecktie consisting of a piece of cord or braided leather with decorative metal tips (calledaiguillettes) and secured with an ornamental clasp or slide.
In the United States, bolo ties are widely associated withWestern wear and are generally most common in thewestern areas of the country. Bolo tie slides and tips insilver have been part ofHopi,Navajo,Zuni, andPuebloansilversmithing traditions since the mid-20th century.[1]
The bolo tie was made the officialneckwear ofArizona on April 22, 1971, by GovernorJack Williams.New Mexico passed a non-binding measure to designate the bolo as the state's official neckwear in 1987. On March 13, 2007,New Mexico GovernorBill Richardson signed into law that the bolo tie was thestate's official tie.[2] Also in 2007, the bolo tie was named the official tie ofTexas.[3]
In theUnited Kingdom, bolo ties are known asbootlace ties. They were popular with 1950sTeddy Boys, who wore them withdrape suits.[4][5]
Bolo ties became fashionable in the 1980s withrockabilly revivalists andnew wavers.[6] The bolo tie returned as a popular fashion accessory in the fall of 1988 when maleHollywood stars[example needed] would be frequently found wearing them.Chain stores likeJeanswest andMerry-Go-Round sold multiple choices for all occasions.
During the 1980s and 1990s bolo ties, some elegant and expensive, were sold inJapan,Korea, andChina. 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.[7]
Author John Bloom (a.k.a. horror host and drive-in expertJoe Bob Briggs) is known by his trademark wearing of various bolo ties during his televised and live shows.
During the2013 NFL season,San Diego Chargers quarterbackPhilip Rivers captured media attention for his frequent use of bolo ties. He was noted wearing it again after defeating theCincinnati Bengals in the2013–14 NFL playoffs.[8][9]
Victor Cedarstaff ofWickenburg, Arizona, claims to have invented the bolo tie in the late 1940s and laterpatented his slide design.[10]
According to an article inSunset:
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 fromboleadora, an Argentine and Uruguayanlariat).[11]
