Pheasant Feather Bow Ties: A Buyer's Guide

Some feathers win you over with color. Pheasant wins you over with pattern. Bars, speckles, scalloped edges and, on some feathers, a flash of iridescent green or blue that only shows when you turn your head. A pheasant feather bow tie looks like a solid color from across the room and like a small piece of natural history up close.

If you've been looking at one and wondering which to pick, or how to wear it without looking like you're headed to a hunting lodge, this guide covers what a pheasant feather bow tie is, how to choose the right one, and how to style it.

What is a pheasant feather bow tie?

It's a bow tie where the front is built from pheasant feathers instead of silk or wool. At Mandujour, every pheasant bow tie is handcrafted and comes as a set with a matching feather lapel pin, so the jacket gets finished too. The bow ties have a silk backing for comfort, and the sets arrive in a hand-branded wooden gift box.

Because the feathers are natural, each piece has its own variation in pattern and sheen. No two look exactly alike, which is the point.

How pheasant compares to other feathers

If you're choosing between feather types, here's the short version.

• Pheasant vs. peacock. Peacock is about color and the famous "eye." Pheasant is about pattern and texture. It's usually the quieter, more versatile choice.
• Pheasant vs. goose. Goose feathers give you a smooth, solid color, like all black. Pheasant adds markings and depth, so it reads as more detailed.
• Pheasant vs. turkey. Both feel natural and earthy. Turkey tends to read more rustic, while pheasant can swing from rustic to sleek depending on the color.

How to choose a pheasant feather bow tie

Start with the color family

Pheasant comes in more colors than most people expect. Most choices fall into four families.

• Brown. The Brown Pheasant Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set brings rich, earthy tones, natural patterns and a subtle sheen. It's the most versatile pick and works with navy, gray, tan, olive and tweed. If you're only buying one, start here.
• Green. The Green Pheasant Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set uses natural iridescent green pheasant feathers. It's the statement option, for a man who wants the bow tie to be the first thing people notice.
• Black with green. The Black Pheasant Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set contrasts deep black American goose feathers with iridescent green pheasant feathers. It's dark and formal at first glance, then the green catches the light. It's a strong choice for black tie.
• Black and blue. The Black and Blue Pheasant Feather Bow Tie & Lapel Pin Set sets deep black against shades of blue. It's made for navy suits and evening events.

You can see more colors and patterns when you shop pheasant feather bow ties in the full collection.

Match the formality

• Black tie. Stay dark. Black with green or black and blue keeps the tuxedo formal while the feathers add depth.
• Cocktail and semi-formal. Any color family works. Brown or green adds personality without going over the top.
• Daytime and outdoor. Brown is the easy winner because it looks natural in daylight and at rustic venues.

Decide how loud you want to be

Ask yourself one question: do you want people to notice the bow tie first, or the man wearing it? For the first, go green. For the second, go brown, or black with a flash of color. There's no wrong answer, only a wrong match for your personality.

Check the details on the product page

Every set listed above includes a matching lapel pin. The Brown, Green and Black Pheasant pages list adjustable neck sizing for a perfect fit, and the Black and Blue set lists a silk and satin backing. Read the page of the exact set you want before you buy, so you know what's in the box.

How to style a pheasant feather bow tie

Pattern is the key. A pheasant bow tie already carries a lot of visual detail, so the rest of the outfit should give it room.

• Keep the shirt solid. White or light blue is best. Skip stripes and checks.
• Keep the suit quiet. Solid navy, charcoal or black, or a subtle tweed if you're going brown. Bold windowpane checks fight with the feathers.
• Use the lapel pin as an echo. Wear the matching pin on the left lapel and skip a busy pocket square. One accent repeated twice looks intentional.
• Fall and earth tones. Brown pheasant with a tweed or flannel suit in camel, olive or brown is a natural fit for autumn weddings and holiday dinners.
• Weddings. For a wedding party, choose one pheasant color family for the groomsmen and let the groom wear a different one from the same palette, such as brown for the groomsmen and black with green for the groom.
• Evening. Black and blue with a navy suit, or black with green with a tuxedo, keeps things dark and lets the iridescence do the talking under evening light.

Buying one as a gift

A pheasant feather bow tie is an easy gift to get right, because brown suits almost everyone and the dark options are safe for formal events. The sets arrive in a hand-branded wooden gift box, so the presentation is already done. For more help picking for someone else, read our guide on how to choose a feather bow tie gift for him.

Taking care of pheasant feathers

Pheasant feathers stay beautiful with very little effort. Store the bow tie flat in its box, keep it away from moisture and crushing, and handle it by the strap instead of the feathers. A soft brush in the direction of the feathers is all most pieces ever need. Our full guide on how to clean and care for feather bow ties covers the details.

Quick buyer's checklist

• Pick a color family: brown, green, black with green, or black and blue.
• Match it to the dress code. Go darker for black tie and warmer for daytime.
• Keep the shirt solid and the suit quiet.
• Wear the matching lapel pin and skip the busy pocket square.
• Store it in its gift box between wears.

Find your pheasant

A pheasant feather bow tie is for the man who'd rather be looked at twice than once. It's quiet from a distance and remarkable up close. When you're ready, shop pheasant feather bow ties and choose a handcrafted set made for a man who refuses to look like everyone else.