LIFE

New Indy company wants guys to wear what?!

Dana Hunsinger Benbow

The bow tie hasn't exactly had a cool reputation.

Guys wear them to weddings — because they're required. Older, dapper men wear them, right? Maybe a dude will whip one out for a fancy party.

But do cool, young hip men really wear bow ties?

Cris Dorman says they should.

The 30-year-old Indianapolis man, along with business partner Weston Sedgwick of Chicago, have launched online company Rock My Bow Tie.

The company's motto: "Make the bow tie a common facet of the trendy man's wardrobe."

"So many guys say, 'I can't pull off a bow tie,'" said Dorman, who also owns Brandrenew, a marketing and public relations firm Downtown. "It's a misnomer."

Bow ties are good for all sorts of fashion. Dorman even suggests one with a casual shirt and pair of jeans.

There are certainly plenty to choose from at Rock My Bow Tie, from the spicy iguana to the modern paisley.

Spicy Iguana is one of the many offerings at Rock My Bow Tie, an Indianapolis company that wants men to infuse bow ties in their everyday lives.

Each comes with a little fashion suggestion, such as this with the iguana tie: "Wear this bow tie and the world is your oyster. Dark jeans and a dark jacket will give you the most pop with this unique design."

Dorman and Sedgwick design all of the company's ties and fabrics. They average about $25 each.

The concept for Rock My Bow Tie was born from the two men's (both bow tie wearers) struggles to find a cool bow tie.

Indianapolis' Cris Dorman is the founder of Rock My Bow Tie. He and his business partner started the company after not being able to find cool, affordable bow ties.

"We seemed to always find the same stereotypical designs and patterns," Dorman said. "We wanted to throw a little bit more color and also not be at that $60 to $70 price."

Besides the ready-to-buy tie, Rock My Bow Tie offers custom ties. Add a logo or get a tie in your wedding colors.

For now, the company is online only. But Dorman said he is working with a few local retailers to carry his line in their stores.

Indy company Rock My Bow Tie wants guys to do just that: add bow ties into their fashion closet.

And never fear if you're a guy who just isn't sure how to rock a bow tie. There's a complete tutorial on the company's website.

Call Star reporter Dana Hunsinger Benbow at (317) 444-6012. Follow her on Twitter: @danabenbow.