Ok, sure, no one walks around wearing a white shirt & bow tie in real life & just happens to stand side on bathed in the warm light of afternoon sun.

But you have to admit that a plain background does present neckwear in a favourable light. As do the moody shadows cast by the strong sunlight from out of frame.

Seersucker by the way is an underrated shirt fabric. It’s one of the subversions on the white classic that we favour here at Zutiste for its subtle difference in texture.

It’s important though to find a shifting that isn’t too thick, otherwise the seersucker bubbles become overwhelming. This one is from a Swiss mill sources through our shirtmaker.

Our fine tweed bow tie on the dapper Galaad Moutoz of his eponymous Swing Orchestra.

A few pieces in our collection are currently appearing as part of the Galaad’s barnstorming jazz spectacle Harlem Swing Show as it tours France.

Costume changes aside, the show includes spell-binding music, song & dance that will take you back, or sideways (depending on your view of time travel) to the profound mystic & rhythm of the 1930s & ‘40s in a manner rendered especially pleasurable under the guidance of this accomplished band of jazz musicians.

It was also an age where different types of neckwear—neck ties, neckerchieves & bow ties—adorned the necks & collars of many classy & rakish types.

What caused the necktie to triumph when it is so plainly unsuitable to most physical activity & standards of convenience?

Wait, wait... the answer is clear: it is after all bigger in (visible) surface area. Let’s call it an instrument of a brasher statement? The bow tie remains then as its refined & (in that sense at least) more subtle sidekick.

Brown. Turn that frown upside down.