A black tie dress code can strike fear in the heart of even the well-heeled man.
There's something about the bowtie - how it trusses you up like a Christmas present, how it reminds you of that 'wacky' colleague who wore one in the office that time - that can make the most glamorous events of your year a chore.
Going sans neckwear altogether can come across as unprepared or impolite, so where does that leave us?
One option is the continental tie, as demonstrated this week by Orlando Bloom in Canali. It's the unsung alternative to a bowtie that looks better and won't upset the dress code.
Defined by its crossover design, the continental tie is usually fastened in the middle of the neck with the top tucked under your collar. Once favoured by Elvis Presley and recently tapped by Robert Pattinson, it's a subtle statement that will make you stand out in the right way.
So we've convinced you to wear one. Finding one, however, is decidedly more difficult. For whatever reason, the wider market has yet to really endorse the look, which means heading vintage/eBay is your best bet.
Just remember you heard it here first.
