How To tie a bow tie

With all the elegance and sophistication that’s associated with bow ties, it’s hard to believe they originally emerged as a practical convenience. The bow tie is a relative of the knotted cravat; the statement that Croatian mercenaries wore when they visited Paris to keep their collar together. In the preceding centuries, the bow tie was invented. It took advice from its cravat predecessor but flourished into something that was even more artistic and idealistic. It became a fashion statement. Worn by aristocrats in the 19th century, and celebrities in the 21st century; the bow tie has been readapted in many different ways since its conception. Today, a bow tie can be worn in many different contexts. It’s appropriate for weddings and formal occasions and can also be dressed down to suit casual styles. The only common denominator being that all its wearers possess unsurpassed levels of good taste. I’m talking about you.

The
Bow Tie Knot tying steps

Adjust the length of the bow tie so it’s long enough to sit just below your chest.
Place the bow tie around your neck with the right end lower than the left end.
Cross the long end over the top of the short end towards your left. Pull the long end up through the neck loop from underneath and pull to fasten. Place it over your shoulder so it’s out of the way.
Take the short end that’s hanging down and pull it horizontally across your collar. The fold should be on the right side. It should create a bow shape.
Take the end that’s over your shoulder and bring it down over the centre of the bow.
Pinch the two sides of the bow inwards towards the centre.
Slide your finger through the loop at the top of the bow tie to make sure there’s enough room.
As you keep pinching the bow inwards, take the bottom end of the bow tie and slide the folded part through the loop at the top, from right to left. This can be a little tricky.
Slide the fabric through half way so that it sits evenly on both sides of the bow tie. There should be a fold and an end on either side of the bow.
Pull the folded parts tightly on both sides to fasten the knot.
Keep adjusting the ends back and forth until they’re even.
When the knot is fastened and both sides are even, you’re ready to finish up.

ABOUT THIS KNOT

Self tie bow ties are the traditional bow ties that came before pre-tied options. The bow tie can be traced back to the 17th century when Croatian mercenaries wore a scarf around their collar to keep the two sides of their shirt together. The style quickly circulated amongst the French elite under the name of the "cravat". The cravat began to flourish in the 18th and 19th centuries and transformed into what we know today as the "bow tie".

Pressure Points

Take special care with Step 8, it may take a few tries to get right. It's important to ensure that when you slide the bottom end through the loop at the top, there should be a folded part on each side of the bow as well as an end. You may have to fold the bottom end in half vertically to be able to slide it through the loop.

Best places to wear a bow tie

Bow ties are synonymous with wedding chic, so if you have a big day coming up, or you're attending a friend's wedding, a bow tie is definitely an excellent choice! They pair superbly with tuxedos for formal events and will give you the same poise as Mr James Bond. We'll have it shaken, not stirred.

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