How To Tie a Bow Tie

**A Brief History**

Believe it or not, the bow tie has been around since the 17th century. During the Thirty Years' War, Croatian mercenaries wrapped scarves around their necks — partly for hygiene, partly to keep their shirts closed. The French upper class took a liking to the look and adopted it, dubbing it the *cravat*. Over the centuries, that simple scarf evolved into the self-tied bow tie we know and love today.

**Choosing Your Shape**

If you're thinking about wearing a bow tie, you'll first need to pick a shape. The two most popular options are the **batwing** and the **thistle** (also known as the butterfly). A few other styles exist too — the diamond point, for instance — but these are trickier to tie. If you're a beginner, we'd suggest sticking with the batwing or thistle until you've got the hang of it.

Read on for a step-by-step tutorial that will have you tying a sleek, polished knot — one that's sure to impress everyone you meet.

**When to Wear a Bow Tie**

Bow ties have long been associated with intellect and professionalism, thanks in large part to their popularity among university professors, lawyers, musicians, and other cultured professionals. They also call to mind some of history's most iconic figures — both real and fictional — from Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin to James Bond himself.

Formal occasions are the perfect excuse to swap out the necktie. In fact, certain dress codes, like black-tie events, *require* a bow tie. Traditionally, these should be classic black or match the color of your tuxedo. At the fanciest affairs, on the other hand, you'll be expected to follow a white-tie dress code, where an elegant white bow tie is the order of the day.

But you don't have to wait for a black- or white-tie event to put one on. In nearly any formal setting, a bow tie pairs beautifully with a suit.

And of course, bow ties aren't reserved for the upper class or formal occasions. There's no reason you can't wear a more casual bow tie to the office on a weekday, or out with friends on a weekend. As long as you know how to tie it properly, anyone can pull one off and look confident and self-assured in the process.

**What About Pre-Tied Bow Ties?**

You might be wondering: is there anything wrong with pre-tied bow ties? The honest answer is no — there's nothing inherently wrong with them. But the truth is, most experienced suit-wearers can spot one from a mile away. Worse, in formal settings, a pre-tied bow tie is something of a faux pas. If you want to look classy and confident, learning to tie a bow tie the right way is your ticket.

Want to master the classic bow tie knot? Follow our easy step-by-step guide to tie a perfect self-tie bow tie for weddings, proms and formal events. BESTO is a professional manufacturer of handmade fashion accessories including crystal bow ties, brooches and boutonnieres. We support OEM & ODM customization and low MOQ wholesale for global dealers.

How to Tie a Bow Tie?

tep 1: Start around your neck

Place the bow tie around your collar, one end hanging slightly longer than the other. The longer side should be on your right.

Step 2: Cross the two ends

Cross the longer end over the shorter end, then bring the long end up through the loop that forms at your neck, just like tying a shoelace. Pull gently to tighten.

Step 3: Form the front bow loop

Fold the shorter horizontal end into a bow shape (the front loop). Hold this folded bow flat against your neck.

Step 4: Drape the long end over the bow

Take the longer hanging end and drape it straight down over the center of the folded bow.

Step 5: Push the long end through the back loop

Fold the remaining part of the long end, then push it backward through the small loop behind the bow. This creates the second loop on the back side.

Step 6: Adjust and tighten

Pull the two loops gently side by side to tighten. Carefully tug each loop and the center knot to even up the shape, until both sides look balanced and neat.