One of the eternal mysteries of menswear is how to correctly tie a bow tie.  We promise, it’s easy once you get the hang of it.

That said, it can take a little practice to get it looking the way that you want to. Don’t wait until ten minutes before you have to leave for your event to begin learning!  Also, a self tied bow tie has a little more organic look to it, so don’t expect the precision, tightness and symmetry that pre-tied bow ties offer.

Here’s a diagram of the basic steps and a downloadable PDF for you to print out if you like.

How to Tie a Bow Tie – PDF Version

Some people prefer a video to see how it works, especially because the action in step five in our diagram mostly takes place behind the knot.  Here’s one of our favorites from our friends at the Art of Manliness on YouTube: