Quick answer: The bolo tie (also spelled "bola tie") is a Western neck cord fastened with a decorative slide. Arizona silversmith Victor Emanuel Cedarstaff is widely credited with inventing it in the late 1940s in Wickenburg, Arizona. He patented the slide design in 1959, and Arizona named it the official state neckwear in 1971. It grew out of the Southwest's rich silversmithing tradition, especially the work of Navajo, Zuni and Hopi artists, and today it's worn everywhere from ranches to weddings.

Few accessories carry as much Western character as the bolo tie. A braided leather cord, a handsome slide and two metal tips: it's simple, but it has a surprisingly rich history. Whether you're shopping for a wedding, collecting vintage pieces or just curious where the bolo tie came from, here's a look at the story behind it.

What is a bolo tie?

A bolo tie is a length of cord, usually braided leather, worn around the neck and held in place by a decorative slide (also called a clasp, concho or ornament). Metal tips called aglets finish the cord ends. Unlike a traditional necktie, there's no knot: you slide the ornament up toward your collar to tighten it, or let it hang loose for a relaxed look.

Who invented the bolo tie?

The most widely repeated origin story belongs to Victor Emanuel Cedarstaff, a silversmith and cowboy from Wickenburg, Arizona. According to local tradition, Cedarstaff came up with the idea around 1949 after a favorite piece of silver-trimmed stone jewelry threatened to go missing on a windy ride. He threaded it onto a braided leather cord and found it looked just as good around his neck.

Like many folk legends, the details vary depending on who's telling it. Some accounts place the invention in the early 1940s, and others credit different makers in the Southwest. What's well documented is that Cedarstaff took the idea seriously: he began making and selling slides, and a patent for the design was filed in 1954 and issued in 1959 (U.S. Patent 2,896,217, a "slide for a necktie").

Bolo or bola? Where the name comes from

Cedarstaff reportedly called his creation the "bola tie," a nod to the boleadora, the weighted throwing cords used by Argentine gauchos. Over time "bolo tie" became the more common spelling, though Arizona's official state symbol is still the bola tie. Both names refer to the same accessory, so use whichever you like.

The influence of Indigenous makers on the bolo tie

The bolo tie can't be told without the Native artists of the Southwest. Silversmithing took hold among the Navajo (Dine) in the mid-1800s, when Navajo smiths learned the craft from Mexican and Spanish metalworkers. Zuni and Hopi artists adopted and reinvented silverwork in the decades that followed. Exact dates and names are still debated by historians, but the result is clear: by the early 20th century, the Southwest had a thriving tradition of silver and stone jewelry with its own techniques and symbolism.

Some accounts of the bolo's origin point to the neckwear that was already around. They describe Native men in the Southwest wearing cords or bandanas fastened with a shell or silver slide, long before the bolo had a name. Whether or not that is the direct ancestor, it's the same spirit: a decorative fastener on a simple cord.

By the mid-20th century, Native jewelers were making bolo ties of their own, and they brought the tradition's best-known techniques with them:

• Navajo (Dine) artists are known for hand-stamped sterling silver and for setting turquoise and other stones in silver.
• Zuni artists are celebrated for fine stone inlay and cluster work, including detailed figures and dancers on large bolo slides.
• Hopi artists developed overlay silverwork, with designs cut from one layer of silver and soldered onto another, often showing symbols from Hopi life and tradition.

Their work turned the bolo into a canvas for regional style and storytelling, and it's a large part of why Southwestern silver and turquoise bolos remain so beloved by collectors today. Wide-open landscapes, rodeo culture and Western films and television in the mid-20th century helped carry the look beyond the Southwest.

Becoming Arizona's official neckwear

In 1971, Arizona named the bola tie its official state neckwear (some sources list 1973, so the date is occasionally disputed). It was a fitting honor for a style born in the state. Since then, other states have followed: New Mexico and Texas have both recognized the bolo tie as official neckwear.

How the bolo tie evolved

• 1940s–50s: Cedarstaff's early bolos spread from Wickenburg through Western wear shops and rodeo circles.
• 1960s–70s: Native-made silver and turquoise bolos, along with those from other Western makers, became popular souvenirs and everyday Western wear.
• 1980s–90s: The bolo tie settled into Western fashion and formal Western dress, from line dancing to courthouse steps.
• Today: Designers and makers are bringing it back for weddings, festivals and everyday style, in materials from antique brass to natural stone.

Why bolo ties are back for weddings

Modern couples are drawn to the bolo tie for good reasons. It's comfortable, it photographs beautifully, and it gives a wedding party a cohesive Western look without feeling like a costume. Matching groomsmen bolo tie sets are an easy way to bring everyone together, and because each bolo can be worn long after the big day, it makes a meaningful groomsmen gift too.

Wearing a bolo tie with a suit? Slide the ornament up to the collar for a polished look, or leave it a few inches down for a relaxed, boho feel. Pair it with a crisp white or Western-style shirt for classic style.

The handmade bolo tie, today

At Wild Loop, we make our bolo ties by hand in Portland, Oregon, using braided leather cord and sturdy metal tips and slides. Our designs, including the Brass Concho, Silver Rose and Gold Bull bolo ties, are our own designs, made in Portland, and nod to the Southwestern tradition while staying fresh and wearable. You can browse all of our bolo ties, or start a custom order if you have something specific in mind.

Frequently asked questions about bolo ties

Who invented the bolo tie?

Victor Emanuel Cedarstaff of Wickenburg, Arizona, is the person most often credited with inventing the bolo tie in the late 1940s, and he later patented his slide design. The idea built on a much older Southwestern tradition of silver and stone adornment, and Navajo, Zuni and Hopi artists have shaped the bolo tie's look from the start.

Did Native Americans make bolo ties?

Yes. Native jewelers in the Southwest, especially Navajo, Zuni and Hopi artists, have made bolo ties for generations, using techniques such as stamped silver, stone inlay and overlay. Their work is among the most collected in the world.

When did bolo ties become popular?

Bolo ties spread through the Southwest in the 1950s and 1960s and became a Western wear staple. They've seen a wave of renewed popularity in recent years, especially for weddings and Western-inspired fashion.

What is the difference between a bolo tie and a bola tie?

There's no difference. "Bola" is the original name reportedly used by Cedarstaff, and "bolo" is the more common spelling today.

Is a bolo tie formal?

It can be. A bolo tie with a polished slide and braided leather cord works with a suit or jacket for weddings, dinners and other dressy events, and it's just as at home with a denim shirt.

How do you wear a bolo tie?

Place the cord around your neck, under your collar, and slide the ornament up or down to adjust. Slide it up to the collar for a neat, closed look, or leave it lower for a relaxed one.

Ready to find your bolo? Shop handmade bolo ties, outfit your wedding party with groomsmen bolo tie sets, or design a custom bolo.

Sources: Wikipedia: Bolo tie; ICT: Heard Museum spotlights Native American bolo ties; Native American Art Magazine: Early Zuni silversmiths; State Symbols USA: Arizona's bola tie.