Arizona's Unique Fashion

by Nick Coons
Mar 23, 2005

Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

is home to many unique things around the world. But one thing we have not been known for, unlike Los Angelos and New York, is fashion. However, we have our own unique fashion that originated here, and one particular piece even has an entire society dedicated to promoting it's use. It's the Bola Tie, the official neck piece of Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

, dedicated as such by then-Gov. Jack Williams back on April 22, 1971.

The Bola Tie, in case the name doesn't sound familiar, is a neck piece made by a thin strap, usually leather, with a centerpiece attached. These are much smaller than regular ties, and have a very southwestern look to them.

Back in the 1940s when they were created, they seem to make much more sense than traditional ties when the temperature rose to 120 degrees. A silversmith in Wickenburg first stumbled upon the idea. Victor Cedarstaff had his hat blown off in the wind one day while riding his horse. Being that it was an expensive hat, he was worried about losing it again, so he slipped the band around his neck. A friend of his saw this and made the joke, "Hey, that's a nice tie you're wearing there."

Cedarstaff passed away in 1982, but was lucky enough to see his creation become the official Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

neck piece. In fact, ever since 1966, there has been an obscure society dedicated to the wearing and promotion of the bola tie. Once as many as 400 members in the 1970s, they seem to have dwindled down to only a few. The youngest member is 59 years old, while the oldest, Russel Swing) is 96. He wears a bola tie with a gold coin from 1908, the year he was born, as its centerpiece.

The society is making an effort to have Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

Bola Tie Week reinstated by Gov. Napolitano, as it hasn't been observed since 1983.