[masukomi]

at no point was it suggested that the bow tie was the most important thing you could do. As @troutwine suggested, being clean and hygenic, and having manners goes a long way, and I would argue are all far more important than what tie (if any) you are wearing. You are absolutely correct in your implication that a well fitting suit trumps a bow tie. This does not mean that a bow tie would not ALSO be a good thing.