Whether you're sorting out your tuxedo for a wedding or ball, or getting ready for a black tie event, there may come a time when you need to know how to tie a self tie bow tie.

It's not something most of us do very often but, luckily, if you can tie your shoelaces, you can tie a bow tie - the knot is surprisingly similar. So dare to embrace a bow beneath your face!

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1

• Drape the bow tie around your neck, beneath your collar and hold both ends. The end on your right should hang approximately 1.5 inches lower than the end on your left.

Step 2

• Cross the longer end over the shorter end. Make the cross close to your neck so that the loop around your neck is only large enough to work with comfortably. You don’t want your bow tie dangling in front of your chest.

Step 3

•  Pass the longer end up through the neck loop, to form a simple, loose overhand knot.

Step 4

• Take the loose end now hanging on your right and fold it back on itself to form a bow shaped loop.  Pinch the centre of the loop between your thumb and index finger. This will become the front loop of your finished bow tie. Hold it in position between the collar points of your shirt.

Step 5

• Take the remaining end of the tie - the end which you previously passed through the neck loop - and drop it down over the centre of the bow-shaped loop. 

Step 6

• Form a second loop with the hanging end, just as you did with the first. Fold the end back on itself while continuing to hold the front loop in position.

Step 7

• Position the new loop behind the front loop, facing the opposite direction. Pinch the loops together and push the second loop through the opening in the knot behind the front loop. Your index finger can help guide the folded end through the opening. You should now have one loop at the front on one side and the second loop at the back on the other.

Step 8

• Gently pull the two loops to tighten the knot, then adjust and straighten your bow tie. To loosen or untie the bow, pull one of the loose ends. 

A Few Bow Tie Tips

Still puzzled by the step-by-step instructions? Think about tying your shoelaces.

A bow tie uses a very similar knot. Imagine your head is your ankle and you are tying your shoelace from underneath. It sounds slightly ridiculous, but it may help the know make sense.

Like tying a necktie or your shoelaces, tying a bow tie takes a little practice and patience. Once you've mastered it, however, it becomes surprisingly easy.

When you're feeling more confident, experiment with the angle of your bow or slightly different knot sizes. A hand-tied bow tie doesn't need to look perfectly symmetrical those small differences are part of its character.

Finally, make sure your bow tie fits comfortably around your neck. It should feel secure without being uncomfortably tight.