How to Tie a Bow Tie in a Pinch

Bow ties are a bit old-fashioned, but they’re always dapper. For this reason, many men still use them to this day. The only problem with bow ties is that they’re not always easy to tie, which means some men will avoid them like the plague. Here is a simple set of instructions that will have you tying your own bow ties in a pinch.

Wrap the bow tie around your neck. For the sake of this instruction, we are going to call the left side A and the right side B. Make sure that A is a little bit longer than B and then cross A over B as soon as you get it around your collar.

Next, tuck A into the little hole area between your neck and the tie and then fold B at its widest area, holding it so that it’s toward the side the way a bow tie sits. It should look just like a bow that’s not yet complete.

Next you want to take the end of A and drop it over the fold of B and then fold A up and over B. This is where things get a little bit complicated and might require a bit of practice. Here you are going to pass the folded end of A behind and beneath the folded end of B with your left hand. You will ensure that it goes through the loop and behind the part of B that is folded.

Once you get the hang of that part, you are almost completely finished with your bow tie. Next, simply tighten your tie so that it’s a perfect fit. You will do this by pulling each end equally. Be sure not to pull one end more than the other end, because you might end up with an uneven bow tie and have to start this process over.

And just in case you need visual instructions: