### Clue: Virginia entering picked up bow tie at first and a possible alternative (6)
### Answer: CRAVAT 
 ### Explanation: Definition: a possible alternative
 VA(abbrev. for "Virginia", a US state) **contained in**(entering) [**reversal of**(picked up, in a down clue) ARC(a bow/a part of curve such as part of a circle's circumference) + **1st letter of**(… at first) "tie"].
Defn: … to a bow tie.