To tie a bow tie, start with the left end about 1.5 inches longer than the right. Cross it over, bring it up through the neck loop and fold the short end into a bow. Then drop the long end over it, fold it and push it through the loop behind the bow.
Pull the folded sides to tighten. The knot is the same bow you use on your shoelaces, so formal bow ties are easier to learn than they look.
TL;DR
- To tie a bow tie, start with the left end about 1.5 inches longer than the right, cross it over and bring it up through the neck loop.
- Fold the short end into the first half of the bow, drop the long end over it, then fold it and push it through the loop behind the bow from right to left.
- Tighten by tugging the front and back loops in opposite directions, then even out the sides.
- The finished bow should sit between the outer edges of your eyes and the width of your face, whether you pick a butterfly, a batwing or a diamond point.
- Black tie events call for a black bow tie in silk, satin or twill, while white tie calls for a white one.
How to Tie a Bow Tie, Step by Step
- Size it. Adjust the slider to your collar size.
- Hang it. Let the left end fall about 1.5 inches lower.
- Cross and tuck. Take the long end over the short one and up under the neck loop. Pull snug and rest it on your shoulder.
- Make the first half. Double the hanging end at its widest point and hold it across your collar, the fold on the right.
- Cover it. Drop the shoulder end over the middle, then tip the bow forward to open the small loop behind it.
- Make the second half. Fold the hanging end and feed it, fold first, through that loop from right to left.
- Tighten. Tug the front and back loops in opposite directions, then even out the sides.
Bow Tie Size and Shape
Keep the finished bow between the outer edges of your eyes and the width of your face, Alan Flusser’s rule per the Gentleman’s Gazette black tie guide.
Three common shapes:
- Butterfly: the classic, with flared ends.
- Batwing: slimmer, with straight ends.
- Diamond point: pointed ends that suit peak lapels.
When to Wear a Bow Tie
Black tie events call for a black bow tie in silk, satin or twill, and a white one is worn with white tie, per the Emily Post Institute. Skip pre-tied: the sewn bow looks too even. At a cocktail party, color is fair game.
FAQ
How do you tie a bow tie step by step?
Cross, tuck, fold and push through. Set the band to your collar size, hang the left end about 1.5 inches lower, cross it over and up through the neck loop, fold the short end into a bow, drop the long end over it, then fold it through the loop behind and tighten.
How do you tie a bow tie without a clip?
Use a self-tie bow tie, which holds by its own knot instead of a clip. Adjust the slider on the band to your collar size, then tie it like a shoelace bow: cross and tuck up through the neck loop, fold the first half, and push the second half through the loop behind it.
Is a self-tie bow tie better than a pre-tied one?
Yes. A self-tie bow tie is tied by hand, so the bow sits a little uneven and looks natural. A pre-tied bow tie has the bow sewn in place, which makes it look too even, and the difference shows most at a black tie event.
How big should a bow tie be?
The finished bow should sit between the outer edges of your eyes and the width of your face. Set the band to your collar size before you tie it, then pick a shape: the butterfly is the classic, the batwing is slimmer, and the diamond point has pointed ends.
What color bow tie do you wear to a black tie event?
Black. The Emily Post Institute lists a black bow tie in silk, satin or twill for black tie, and a white bow tie for white tie. Save colors and patterns for a cocktail party, where a bow tie with a bit of personality is fair game.
