How to Tie a Bowtie

You may think knowing how to tie a bowtie is only important to clowns and old men, but it's a rather handy skill to have. Formal occasions always pop up, and sooner or later, most men end up in a bowtie. Since a bowtie offers a stiff bow instead of a floppy one, it takes more than just knowing how to tie your shoes to create a proper bowtie knot.

Anatomy of a bowtie
The longer and thick your bowtie, that bigger the bow will be. Some bowties are adjustable, and can change size according to your needs. The odd shape of a bowtie is what gives that even and neat looking bow. The bumps outwards are what make the perfect bow shape on each side of the knot.

How to tie a bowtie

1. To learn how to tie a bowtie, you need to start with the tie hanging around your neck. One side should hang a few inches longer than the other so that you have a long side and short side.

2. Cross the long side of your bowtie over and in front of the short side.

3. Pull the long side of the bowtie behind the short side, then up and through the loop around your neck to the front again.

4. Fold the short side of the bowtie across, so that the bow area is showing.

5. Pull the long end over the folded short end, positioning it in the middle of the bow area.

6. Fold the long side of the bowtie across, so that the bow area is showing.

7. Slip the folded long end over and behind the short. Tuck the folded long end into the back of the loop. Use both hands and pull on the bow to tighten the knot.