How to tie a bow tie
To tie a bow tie, set it to your collar size, let one end hang an inch or two longer, cross the long end over and up under the neck loop, then fold the short end into a bow shape at your collar. Drop the long end over the middle of that bow, fold it into a second bow, push it through the loop behind, and tighten.
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How to do it
- Adjust the slider to your collar size, then drape the tie so the left end hangs about one and a half inches lower.
- Cross the longer end over the shorter end at your throat.
- Bring the longer end up behind and out through the neck loop, and let it hang down in front.
- Fold the shorter end into a bow shape, flat and horizontal, sitting at your collar.
- Drop the long end straight down over the center of that bow.
- Fold the long end back on itself into a bow shape of the same size.
- Push that fold through the loop behind the front bow, between the front bow and your collar.
- Tighten by pulling gently on the folded ends in turn, and straighten until both sides match.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the size adjustment, so the bow ends up loose or strangling.
- Pulling the loose ends to tighten it, which undoes the bow.
- Expecting a perfectly symmetric bow; a slight asymmetry is part of the look.
- Practicing for the first time an hour before the event.
Quick self-check
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Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to tie a bow tie
What to say
To tie a bow tie, set it to your collar size, let one end hang an inch or two longer, cross the long end over and up under the neck loop, then fold the short end into a bow shape at your collar. Drop the long end over the middle of that bow, fold it into a second bow, push it through the loop behind, and tighten.
What to show, in order
- Adjust the slider to your collar size, then drape the tie so the left end hangs about one and a half inches lower.
- Cross the longer end over the shorter end at your throat.
- Bring the longer end up behind and out through the neck loop, and let it hang down in front.
- Fold the shorter end into a bow shape, flat and horizontal, sitting at your collar.
- Drop the long end straight down over the center of that bow.
- Fold the long end back on itself into a bow shape of the same size.
- Push that fold through the loop behind the front bow, between the front bow and your collar.
- Tighten by pulling gently on the folded ends in turn, and straighten until both sides match.
The check question
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