Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Measuring the bow tie
• Tips

Whether you're wearing a tuxedo at a wedding or singing in a barbershop quartet, you need to know how to tie a bow tie. It's something most of us don't do every day, but luckily if you can tie your shoelaces, you can also tie a bow tie. It is the same knot. It may not feel like it at first because you are in very different positions when tying your shoelaces and bow tie. However, with a little patience and practice, tying a bow tie will become as easy for you as tying your shoelaces!

To step

Part 1 of 3: Measuring the bow tie

1. Raise your collar. It doesn't matter if you tie your bow tie with your collar up or down, but raising your collar will make it much easier to see what you are doing. So raise your collar and make sure the top button of your shirt is tight.
   • Also, use a mirror the first few times you tie a bow tie to help you see exactly what you are doing.
2. Tailor the bow tie. There is only one size of bow ties available, but you can adjust the length of all with the help of a hook or holes. Most bow ties also have pre-printed neck sizes, so you can tell how long you need to make the bow based on your neck size. Use the hook or the holes according to your neck size.
3. Make sure the bow tie is straight. When you are done tying, your bow tie will likely be crooked. However, you can easily turn the loop at the front and back ends to bring the bow tie into position.
   • You may need to tighten the flat ends slightly to loosen the bow tie, then straighten the tie and then tighten the knot again.
4. Check your bow tie from time to time. Since you can't make a double knot in a bow tie like your laces, it will loosen over time and may even come loose. Check your bow tie from time to time to see if it is still straight and the knot is still tight.

Tips

• Practice tying a tie around your thigh. It is less tiring for your arms, and you can see what you are doing while still learning how to tie such a knot. Your thigh is about as thick as your neck just above your knee.
• If you're struggling with this step-by-step guide, think about your shoe. The knot on a bow tie is the same knot that most people use to tie their shoelaces. Imagine your head coming out of your shoe as if it were your ankle. Now imagine that you are tying your shoelaces from below. That's how you tie a bow tie.
• Once you know how to tie a bow tie, experiment with changing the angle of your tie or a different size of the knot. Bow ties give you many options to express your individual style.
• Make sure the tie fits and feels comfortable.