Directions for Tying a Bow Tie

Look sharp in a real bow tie.

A pre-tied bow tie is easy to wear, but it doesn't look very elegant dangling around your neck when you unfasten it. A real bow tie becomes a casual accessory when you untie it at the end of the evening. Dance costumes sometimes have untied bow ties sewn around the neck, to create an intimate "after the dance" effect. But if you want to untie it, first you have to know how to tie it.

Instructions

1. Turn up your collar and place the tie around your neck so that the ends hang down evenly in front.

2. Cross the ends of the tie in front and bring the right end up behind and over the left end, forming a loose knot. The right end is now on top of the left end so we will call it the top end.

3. Pull the bottom end to the left and fold it back to the right, making the fold at the widest part of the tie. The fold should be behind the top end. Hold the fold with your right hand.

4. Wrap the top end down over the bottom end with your left hand and and fold it at the widest part. Use your left hand to push the second fold behind the first fold. Grasp the new fold with your right hand and pull it behind the first fold and through to the other side, making a bow.

5. Grasp one fold in each hand and pull them both out to the sides to shape the bow.

6. Fold your collar back down.