Years ago, at a gathering in New York, I met a prominent, bow-tie-wearing American psychic.

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They are finished off with a tie, cravat or bow tie -- and the obligatory pocket square protruding from their immaculately tailored jackets.

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The most fashion forward of the geniuses were Dr. Bargmann, diaphanously dressed in Armani, and Dr. Aldrin, who wore a maroon tuxedo with a sterling-silver bow tie.

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Seinfeld wore a dark tuxedo and bow tie and Sklar wore a dress by Tommy Hilfiger - the fashion designer she works for.

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Later, as an official with the Boston Redevelopment Authority, Williams worked to bring developers into struggling neighborhoods--neighborhoods sometimes suspicious of a bean counter wearing a bow tie. (Williams adopted the bow tie because he liked the look of a couple of Nation of Islam guys who worked in the office--though he says the choice was strictly sartorial, not religious.) Still later, when Williams worked at St.

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Goreski, well-coifed and often sporting a bow tie, said he goes for comfort at home, just like everyone else.

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He wore a wig like a big woolly hat, a red floppy bow tie, a yellow speckled vest, and a black coat, and he was emphatically gesturing with white-gloved hands.

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