How to tie a tie bow tie

How To Tie A Bow Tie

by Sven Raphael Schneider

When you buy something using the affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission.

In recent weeks, we have received many requests from men to do a video on How To Tie A Bow Tie. Since our customers and readers are very important to us, we listen and today, I am happy to show you How You Can Tie A Bow Tie every time.

It works for beginners as well as bow tie pros and even people who have never tied a bow tie before can tie it easily with this step by step tutorial guide. For a video on more advanced ways to tie a bow tie, including single end bow ties, click here.

Click here to learn How to Tie a Single-End Bow Tie

Why You Need To Know How To Tie A Bow Tie

Honestly, being able to tie a bow tie is what separates the men from the boys, and every man must know how to tie a bow tie. It’s like knowing how to ride a bike, how to cook a steak or how to tie a tie – it is essential knowledge. You can also watch the video on youtube: How To Tie A Bow Tie Step by Step.

Pre-Tied Or Clip-on Bow Ties Are Not Acceptable

Only boys at prom wear pre-tied bow ties or clip-on bow ties. You should never wear one because it’s too symmetrical making you look fake and cheap.

The Perfect Bow Tie Is Slightly Asymmetrical

Elegant men like Winston Churchill would always wear their bow tie slightly askew which shows the true character of a perfectly tied bow tie: it is not symmetrical.

Bow Tie Materials

Most bow ties are made of silk, and they usually come in just one or two different shapes. At Fort Belvedere, we offer all kinds of bow ties in silk, wool, linen, blends and in 4 different shapes. On top of that, we offer an extensive black bow tie collection that is unrivalled anywhere. You can match it to your grosgrain, barathea or satin lapels or even go with some more exotic black ties like grenadine, moiré or shantung and even single end bow ties

This is just part one of our bow tie videos, stay tuned for another video on advanced ways to create a unique bow tie look.

How to tie a bow tie in 8 simple steps — and the five different shapes you can make

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The bow tie was first worn by Croatian mercenaries during the 17th century, where men tied scarves around their necks to hold the openings of their shirts together. This neat tailoring trick was adopted by fashionable French aristocrats (who called it a cravat), and the bow tie quickly gained popularity in 18th and 19th century France.

The style eventually spread across Europe and evolved into a symbol of power and luxury, but soon after the turn of the 20th century, it also became popular among men in academic and scientific fields.

Nowadays the bow tie often signifies an elevated style, is usually associated with a black tie dress code, and worn to formal events like weddings or awards ceremonies. But you might also see a bow tie on your college professor, a quirky partner at your law firm, or even as a part of your barista’s daily uniform.

In modern times, a bow tie is most often worn to add an element of your personal style to a look, and it’s becoming more commonplace to see bow ties worn with casual attire.

Here are 5 popular bow tie shapes:

Modern bow ties are available in all sorts of fabrics and patterns. Of course, classic black silk or wool styles are the most popular for formal occasions, but plenty of people will opt for a pop of color or pattern, just for fun or to match their partner’s outfit.

A skinny seersucker or linen bow tie is a good bet for a more casual event or a workday. But no matter where or how you choose to wear yours, a bow tie will add an extra element of style and sophistication to your look.

Now, don’t you want to learn how to tie one of these things?

We researched all the recommended ways to tie a bow tie, and found that this simple 8-step process is the best method for tying a classic bow tie.

Here’s how to tie a bow tie in eight simple steps

Remember, practice makes perfect. You can also check out this short video from the experts at the Tie Bar to walk you through the steps.

How To Tie A Bow-Tie And Look Great Wearing It

Last Updated: March 18, 2022

Do you know how to tie a bow tie?

If you’re an average American guy, the answer’s probably no. That’s bad news.

When you’re invited to a black tie event, a bow tie is an expected part of the dress code. Trust me, you don’t want to be the only guy in the room wearing a clip-on.

Like the necktie, a clip-on option is out of the question and having a poorly tied bow tie is even worse. You need to know how to avoid this!

That’s where I come in.

In this article, we’ll be covering:

#1. When Should You Wear A Bow Tie?

Some of history’s most remarkable men wore bow-ties. Winston Churchill, Fred Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin to name a few.

For many white/black tie events – a bow tie is part of the required dress code. Yet, in today’s society, we see this unique garment less and less. Even on television, bow ties only appear on shows like Mad Men (that take place in the past!)

Gents – that doesn’t mean you can’t break the mold and wear one yourself!

What Are The Different Bow Tie Styles?

Butterfly Shape: The classic style of the butterfly shape should have wide ends and a small knot in the center. Fold the fabric at the broadest part of the curve.

Straight End: A straight end will be slightly wider at the tips than at the center. Fold over at the point just before the shape begins to taper.

Semi-Butterfly – Somewhere in between the butterfly and straight end bowtie. The Semi-Butterfly gets wider towards the ends of the tie but still has a rigid structure. Tie similarly to the straight end, but allow for more spread in the ’wings.’

Pointed: The two ends are bound to stick out beyond the straight edges of the loop. Fold at the broadest part of the curve and pay attention to the two sets of wings that need to align fairly precisely to create the proper effect.

When styled correctly, they can be an excellent accessory for men who want to boost their business casual outfits. Pair with a white shirt and a sports jacket for a unique take on standard office attire.

#2. How To Tie A Bow Tie

Let’s start with the fundamentals. Follow the above infographic and improve your sartorial elegance by learning basic tying skills.

For those that need it, here’s a quick rundown of the steps:

To undo, pull the loose ends on either side and unravel the knot.

#3. How To Wear A Bow Tie

Often, men will opt for a pre-tied design with clip-on functionality. Pre-tied garments are convenient, but lack the personal style you can achieve when tying your own.

After all, it’s important to be able to adjust your tie. Different knot shapes suit different occasions!

The Office

At the office, a certain amount of caution is required.

Sure, bow ties can make you stand out from the pack. Yet, you don’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons. Wearing a butterfly-style to the office will make you look pretentious and weird; it’s as simple as that.

However, a tastefully conservative straight-end can elevate an otherwise dull outfit. Wear your regular office attire but switch out your plain necktie for a spotted bow tie to add a touch of character to your smart-casual outfit.

At A Wedding

Weddings are an excellent opportunity for a man to dress up and flex his formal-style muscles.

Typically, weddings aren’t as formal as black tie events. A tuxedo isn’t usually required so a man can experiment with different colors and suit styles.

For the bravest of men, a bow tie can be a great way to show off your heightened sense of style at a wedding. Wear it with a color-matched suit to stand out from the crowd and attract some positive attention.

Pro Tip: Find out what color theme the couple has chosen for their wedding day and match your bow tie to suit this theme.

Black Tie Events

More often than not, a bow tie is a requirement for black tie events. In the most formal of occasions, a necktie just won’t cut it.

A tuxedo with high-shine black Oxfords and a white poplin, wing-collar shirt can be nicely finished with a butterfly style bow tie. The looser wings of the tie add great contrast to the otherwise sharp look of a well-tailored tuxedo.

There you have it, Gents. After only a few minutes of practice, you’re now well on your way to mastering the basics! Keep it up, and you’ll be a pro in no time at all!

For you all – I created this infographic – The Ultimate Guide To The Bow Tie:

But don’t stop there! Why not broaden your skills? Click here to learn how to tie a neck tie in 18 different ways.

How to Tie a Bow Tie: Easy Step-by-Step Video

From fancy weddings to semiformal dinner parties, a variety of occasions call for a bow tie. These butterfly-shaped accessories allow men and women to express their style and personality:Bow ties offer a sleek and sophisticated look when paired with a formal tuxedo, or they can add a pop of pizzazz to a vest or jacket for more relaxed occasions. While some brands offer clip-on bow ties or pre-tied bow ties, chances are, you’ll prefer to tie your own. Although the process may seem daunting to a first-timer, our step-by-step video and instructions make tying a bow tie fast and easy.

When to Wear a Bow Tie

Bow ties are appropriate for white-tie and black-tie events. For these very formal occasions only white and black bow ties are appropriate, as the name indicates. Semiformal affairs offer an opportunity to experiment further with color and texture, but because these events are still somewhat formal, people should steer clear of bold patterns and colors that are too bright. Plaids and tweeds make good options for semiformal affairs. Casual events allow people to wear whatever style, color and pattern they please, from seersucker and velvet to polka dots and stripes.

Types of Bow Ties

Bow ties come in a variety of sizes and styles to complement different facial features and outfits. People commonly choose from five types:

Sizing a Bow Tie

Before tying a bow tie, it’s important to get the correct size. Many bow ties come in one size that fits all necks, but other bow ties have adjustable features such as buttonholes or sliders. To measure neck size, place a well-fitting dress shirt on a bed or tabletop with the collar laying flat. Use a sewing or tailor’s measuring tape to determine the number of inches from the center collar button all the way around the collar band. This determines neck size, and bow ties should be adjusted to match.

Tying a Bow Tie

People learning how to tie a bow tie need a tie, dress shirt or tuxedo shirt, and mirror. Tying a bow tie involves nine simple steps. After practicing several times, the process becomes second nature for a quick and easy style.

Give the bow tie the final finishing touches by gently tugging at the folded ends and adjusting the flat ends to make sure both sides are even. Adjust your collar if needed, and enjoy your achievement and the personal style a bow tie delivers.

Whether for a casual or ultra-formal occasion, bow ties offer a unique and personal fashion statement. For people that enjoy wearing them, learning how to tie a bow tie is a process worth knowing. Five easy steps result in a style accessory surging in popularity. People looking for tips on tying straight ties can view our How to Tie a Tie article for quick and easy instruction.

Bow Tie Guide

by Sven Raphael Schneider

When you buy something using the affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission.

Bow ties today are worn by people from all walks of life. Even famous people in the past have worn them such as actors Fred Astaire, Marlene Dietrich, and politicians like Winston Churchill, architects like Le Corbusier, scientists like Bill Nye and lots of other people.

In my experience, many men avoid bow ties because they don’t think they can pull one off, they don’t know how to tie one, or they think they don’t have the occasion to wear one. The truth is every man can pull off a bow tie and wear it well especially if you like classic style.

Today, I wear bow ties about 30% of the time and has become an integral part of my wardrobe. Once you know how to tie them, there are many occasions where you can wear one. If you are an avid wearer of bow ties, you probably know advanced ways of tying them. Hipsters wear them with just a regular shirt for everyday wear and it doesn’t have to be an evening occasion that’s very formal.

Bow Tie History

Basically, it’s one of the oldest forms of neckwear in menswear. The bow tie shares a history with the necktie in a sense that it originates from a different piece of neckwear known as the cravat. The first group of men known to decorate their neck with a piece of fabric were Croatian mercenaries in the 30 Years War in the 17th century. It became known as the cravate which is the French term for Croatian. Cravats were usually worn loosely tied in elaborate fashions and sometimes it took hours to get the look right.

The first bow tie that looks somewhat similar to what we know it to be today came up in the 1830’s. In the following 30 years, bow ties became progressively more prominent and by the 1860’s, the traditional cravat has fallen mostly out of favor. There’s a famous photograph of Abraham Lincoln from 1863 showing the bow tie style in transition. Lincoln is stoically staring ahead while wearing a black bow tie with pointed ends. On the other hand, his predecessor James Buchanan still wore a white cravat. Between 1850 and the turn of the century, bow ties dominated menswear and you could see them mostly in black or white or variations thereof.

At the beginning of the 20th century, bow ties transitioned more into a specific style choice because the traditional threefold necktie became more popular now. Even though they would be progressively less popular now, they still maintain their place in classic men’s wardrobe in the first half of the 20th century. At the turn of the century, bow ties were usually quite small but frankly, there were loads of shapes and forms, much more than you can find today.

By 1910, the bow tie had grown a little bit across the board but again there are lots of choices out there. In the 30’s you’d often see smaller bow ties as well and bigger bow ties. Generally, they weren’t quite as slim as later in the 50’s or 60’s. However, in the late 60’s and early 70’s, bow ties became huge. It was the same with ties and shirt collars, sometimes also lapels.

By the 1990’s, and early 2000’s, most men would not wear bow ties anymore; it was only something reserved for people who made a deliberate style choice and who wore bow ties because other men did it. I would guess that the overall market share of bow ties at that time was about 5-10%. Thankfully, bow ties today are not nearly as subjected to trends and they’ve become much more mainstream and popular. I would estimate the market share today to be anywhere between 30-40%. It seems to me that bow ties are much more flexible than they were in the past. People wear them sometimes even with short sleeved shirts or just a dress shirt. It doesn’t require a jacket anymore and it’s just a form of self-expression.

Despite this gain in popularity, there are still some stereotypes that people have towards wearers of bow ties. Sometimes people think bow ties are just for nerds or worn by conservatives, eccentrics, or older men. In my experience, confident men that are stylish wear bow ties simply because they like them and that’s a way for them to express themselves. That aside, it’s much more comfortable to wear in the summer because it keeps your chest a lot cooler than any kind of necktie would. On top of that, it’s very difficult to stain your bow tie with foods, whereas with a tie, it’s very easy to do so. Of course, it has always been a staple in the prep culture and for Ivy style.

What Are The Different Types Of Bow Ties You Can Get?

Basically, there are three main categories.

Pre-Tied Bow Tie Pre-Tied Bow Tie with clip

1. Pre-Tied Bow Ties

This category probably has the largest share in the market. Sometimes, they also come in a clip-on version and they’re really popular with men who simply don’t know how to tie a bow tie and men who don’t usually wear one. There’s a simple rule if you want to be stylish, never wear a pre-tied bow tie because it always shows.

Typically, they are made of cheaper, less expensive, oftentimes shinier fabrics, they are very symmetrical, and it screams “My bow tie was pre-tied!”. Wearing a pre-tied bow tie makes you look like a 16-year old attending prom and frankly, we believe they shouldn’t wear them either.

2. Self-Tie Bow Ties

As the name implies, you tie it yourself every time. It seems daunting. It’s the only choice for an elegant gentleman and sometimes you can even find self-tie bow ties that have a little clip on mechanism that allows you to remove it. So once you tie it once, you don’t have to tie it again.

Personally, I think that’s not the way to do it because changing the look of your bow tie every time gives your outfit a different air and sometimes, you can decide to have a smaller bow tie, other times a bigger one, depending on your mood. Among the self-tie bow ties, there are two subcategories.

Adjustable Bow Ties – Usually, you find them for all kinds of daywear bow ties. The great advantage is that you can simply adjust the size so sometimes you can have a smaller tie, other times a bigger tie, and you can even lend it to your father, your brother, or friend if they need one and it’ll work for them. There are all kinds of adjustment mechanisms. Some include metal clips while others have buttons. I have all of them and in my experience, they all work.

Fixed-Length Self-Tie Bow Tie – First of all, why would you want to limit yourself to just one size? Basically for evening wear when you wear wing collars, the entire bow tie is visible and having a little adjustment mechanism just looks weird and odd. So what about wearing a tuxedo shirt with a turndown collar? At the end of the evening, it’s very typical practice to untie the bow tie and when it dangles there, you can still see the adjuster and because of that, it’s always advisable to go with a fixed-length neck size for evening bow ties.

Wooden Bow Tie Animal print bow tie screams inelegance [Image Credit: Amazon]

3. Fashion Forward Bow Ties

With the gaining popularity in recent years, we’ve seen wooden bow ties, we’ve seen bow ties made out of bird feathers, as well as leather bow ties. They’re actually not tied, they’re simply like a clip-on bow tie; they just have the shape of a traditional bow tie. Most of the time, these items are very flashy and I believe it’s a fad that won’t stand the test of time. Of course, if you literally want to look like a peacock, you can go with them. Otherwise, I suggest you stay with traditional self-tie bow ties.

Different Bow Tie Styles & Shapes

Basically, the sky is the limit and if you look at old men’s fashion magazines and books, you’ll see there were hundreds of different shapes around the market. Today, it basically boils down to five basic shapes and styles.

1. Butterfly Shape

The first one is the butterfly shape which is called that way because it resembles a butterfly. It’s a style I really like for evening bow ties. You can check out a range of butterfly bow ties by Fort Belvedere here. It’s tied in a way that the knot is relatively small and you have beautiful wings just like with a butterfly.

Also, while cheaper bow ties curve at the outer edge of the bow tie, a butterfly bow tie have straight edges. Do you want your butterfly bow tie to stand the test of time? Avoid the extremes. Don’t go too big, don’t go too small, and go with something within the middle-of-the-road. Of course, if you have a smaller head, a smaller bow tie is much more appropriate for you and vice versa.

2. Batwing Bow Tie

The batwing is basically rectangular that gets slimmer around the neckband but it makes for a bigger knot. Because of that, it can be harder to tie and in my opinion, it sometimes looks a bit boring but ultimately, it’s a very personal choice.

3. Pointed-End Bow Tie

It’s like a little diamond and it has the advantage that it looks slightly different every time and depending on how much you pull it out on either end. In any case, it will always be asymmetrical because the pointed end is in the front on one side then the back on the other side.

Overall, it’s a great option for daywear because it creates some form of casualness that’s a little more relaxed all the while being relatively formal. In my experience, it flatters most face shapes and because of that, it’s a very versatile option.

4. Asymmetrical Bow Tie

The ends of the bow tie are not symmetrical either top to bottom or left side to right side. It might look really odd when a bow tie is untied but once you tie it, it creates that desired effect that something is slightly askew, not 100% symmetrical and polished.

In my experience, it’s something for people who already have lots of regular bow ties in their closet and who simply want to change the look a little bit or maybe even impress their other clotheshorse friends.

5. Single-End Bow Tie

It’s called that way because it has that bow tie shape only on one end. Once you tie it, it looks very similar to a regular bow tie with the exception that it’s cleaner and crisper because there’s simply just one layer of fabric. This style was popular for a short period in the 1930’s, especially for evening wear. To my knowledge, we’re the only place who offers those kinds of bow ties online.

What Are Bow Ties Made Of?

In terms of bow tie materials, it’s pretty much as varied as it is with ties. Silk is probably the most popular and widespread material and it comes in all kind of shapes and weaves. It comes in shiny silk not so shiny silk, a coarser silk, silks with natural knobs in them and it’s just a wonderful material for bow ties. However, you can also find linen bow ties, cotton bow ties, blended bow ties, as well as wool bow ties. Personally, I’d stay clear of nylon or polyester bow tie because it’s just a lower end cheaper product that won’t look as nice. Another really great option for bow ties is velvet because it changes the look with the light and it can look very debonair especially with a dinner jacket.

One thing to keep in mind with bow ties is that a very fine weave that is tighter is always better because men usually grow facial hair and the bow tie is much closer to your hair thus picking on the fabric and if the weave is too loose, let’s say in the form of a grenadine, you’re much more likely to pull threads from your bow tie. And even if you have a tighter woven silk, it’s normal to pull out some threads but you can get rid of those either with a very fine pair of scissors or with a cuticle clipper, for example.

In terms of bow tie sizing, you don’t have to worry about it if you get an adjustable bow tie. If you get a fixed size bow tie, I suggest measuring your neck because sometimes your shirt says it’s a size 15 when in fact, it measures 16 inches.

When & How Should You Wear A Bow Tie?

Basically, the sky’s the limit. You can wear it for very formal events, for weddings or garden parties, black tie or white tie events. In my experience, there are four tips I would tell anyone who is considering wearing a bow tie.

1. Always Practice Tying Your Bow Tie

Just so you understand how it works even in a stressful situation because I can’t tell you how many grooms have contacted us the day of the wedding trying to understand how to tie a bow tie.

Ancient Madder Silk Bow Tie in Yellow, Red Blue and Orange Diamond Pattern

Edelweiss Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Edelweiss Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

2. Keep it Simple

When you’re just starting out, keep it simple. Use classic patterns such as small micropatterns or Macclesfield neats and avoid super loud paisleys and prints.

3. Buy Moderately Sized Bow Ties

You can wear them now or 10 years from now and that will never go out of style.

Ancient Madder Silk Paisley Bow Tie in Red and Buff

Field Scabious Boutonniere Buttonhole

4. Wear One With A Jacket

Otherwise, it reminds me more of the little flower boys at weddings where they wear little dress shirts with bow ties. Of course, ultimately, the choice is entirely up to you.

5. Do Not Go Overboard

When you wear a bow tie, keep in mind that it already makes a louder statement than wearing a regular necktie or no necktie at all. Because of that, we suggest not to go overboard with super bright pink colors, lobster patterns, or maybe even patchwork bow ties with madras, seersucker, and other fabrics, because it’s simply over-the-top.

How Many Bow Ties Do You Need?

Of course, the answer is, it depends. Personally, I probably have around 100 or even more. Other people get away with just three or four. A general person who’s interested in classic men’s clothing should probably invest in about 11 of them.

What Makes Fort Belvedere Bow Ties Special?

Basically, we source very high-end fabrics from small weavers exclusively in England and in Italy. It’s not something you can find at department stores or at places that sell bow ties for 20 bucks because the fabric for a bow tie already costs more than that. We also strive to use the proper interlining for a bow tie so it ties very easily. On top of that, we offer our bow ties in different shapes and different sizes. We have an extensive selection of evening bow ties for black tie and white tie that is unparalleled and you won’t find a better selection elsewhere. All of our bow ties are self-tie. The day ones are adjustable. The evening ones are fixed neck sizes. And of course, we also offer single end bow ties which you can’t find elsewhere.

Outfit Rundown

I’m wearing a classic light blue striped business shirt with a Macclesfield. I’m wearing a classic light blue striped business shirt with a Macclesfield neats bow tie. It’s a smaller micro pattern with a buff background which is a mix between yellow and beige. I combined it with a pastel yellow pocket square with hand-rolled edges with an X stitch. It picks up the colors yet it doesn’t have the pattern. It both stands out on the light blue shirt as well as the navy blazer jacket which has a faint windowpane and is part of a suit.

Burgundy Shoelaces Flat Waxed Cotton

Ancient Madder Silk Bow Tie in Buff and Red Micropattern

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Light Brown and Blue Fil d’Ecosse Cotton

Pale Yellow Linen Pocket Square with Yellow Handrolled X Stitch

My pants are light blue flat-front chinos. I’m combining them with a pair of full brogues in a dark chocolate brown. The shoelaces are somewhat contrasting in a reddish brown and my socks are shadow striped in light gray and blue that pick up the color of my pants. And the ring I’m wearing is a lapis lazuli stone with sterling silver and the sterling silver goes well with my belt buckle. And the belt itself matches and coordinates the color with my shoes.

Are you a fan of bow ties? Why or why not? Comment below!