Learn how to tie a bow tie
If you’re going to wear a bow tie, you should learn to tie one. Look at it as the price of admission to the club. Like most things about a man’s wardrobe, it’s a detail that speaks volumes, and at the end of the night, when it’s untied and hanging loosely around your neck, you’ll still feel like a million bucks.
A couple of important tips: When you’re finished, the unbowed end on one side of the tie will actually be in front of the bow part, and on the other side it will be behind. If you are used to seeing the pre-tied version of the bow tie, this won’t seem right at all. It is.
First, drape the tie around your neck and make an overhand knot with one side a few inches longer than the other.
Next, fold the shorter end roughly in half so that it forms a flat bow. Hold it flat, centered against the overhand knot. Hint: One hand should hold this configuration in a tight pinch.
With the other hand, lift the long end of the tie and let it fall over the center of the knot and bow.
Pinch the ends of the bow together around the draped end of the tie, noting which side has just one layer. Feel behind the bow for a hidden loop of fabric (you’ll be able to see it in a mirror). Fold the long end of the tie over the end of a finger and push it through the loop, making sure to push in the direction of the single-layer end of the bow on top.
Once the fold is through the loop, keep pulling until it lines up with the single end. Adjust the tie into something approximating symmetry by alternately tugging on the bows and ends. If the knot is not as tight as you’d like, a soft tug on the two parts of the tie that actually run under the collar can help pull it into a more familiar shape.
Practicing off the neck is helpful. Using your leg (or that of a willing partner) just above the knee is a good place to start.
A thicker neck either requires a longer necktie or results in a tinier bow. Many, but not all, ties can be adjusted, so it’s a good idea to seek professional advice -- and try before you buy.
