Hi all,
I have a black tie dinner this week, and a very nice black tie to wear. The only problem is that I can't tie the tie in question.
I practiced it when I bought it, and thought I had it nailed. I even managed to tie my own for the suit's first official outing the following week. Unfortunately, learning to tie a bow tie is exactly the opposite of riding a bike - the knowledge has since completely left me.
I only discovered this on the night of my last black tie do, which left me making a harrassed and pankicky early-evening tour of Manchester's hotels until a kindly Concierge leant me a dog-eared clip-on...
So, I know it's supposedly 'easy', and I have found a couple of websites with theoretically idiot-proof picto-guides. Unfortunately I always lose it at the 'tucky-behind' stage so if anyone knows of an online guide that they think even I could follow then please post the link.
Otherwise I'm just going to get one of those ones that lights up and spins around...
Cheers
CotN
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How to tie a bow tie for idiots
this shows with a model demonstatrating
but the following words at the end sum it up:
Remember, a proper bow tie never looks too neat, so make sure yours show individuality.
so personally i would go with the all singing all dancing ready made flashing one
:lol: :lol: ok leave the flashing thingy off
Sex God
Get your tailor to tie your bow for you, then cut the strap close to the knot and re-attach with velcro. When worn with a shirt, the collar wings will hide the velcro. 
Don't buy one of those pre-tied hook on jobs unless you have an assistant - they're impossible to do up tight on your own.
Don't buy one of those pre-tied hook on jobs unless you have an assistant - they're impossible to do up tight on your own.
Well, you never get less than a varied and interesting set of opinions on here.
Kaz, that guide actually looks pretty good. The other genuinely constructive advice I have had is don't try and do it in front of the mirror as this will only confuse you. I'm pretty sure this only applies to tieing bow ties...
Ice, the velcro thing sounds halfway tempting. Yet again I have made the schoolboy error of trying to take the classy route, instead of just going for good old-fashioned convinience. Next stop elasticated jeans.
Jen, that's a good tip. As a general rule I find tighter=better.
Well, fingers crossed I'll sort it. Otherwise I'll end up wearing some foxed clip-on which would disgrace Manuel.
Cheers
CotN
Kaz, that guide actually looks pretty good. The other genuinely constructive advice I have had is don't try and do it in front of the mirror as this will only confuse you. I'm pretty sure this only applies to tieing bow ties...
Ice, the velcro thing sounds halfway tempting. Yet again I have made the schoolboy error of trying to take the classy route, instead of just going for good old-fashioned convinience. Next stop elasticated jeans.
Jen, that's a good tip. As a general rule I find tighter=better.
Well, fingers crossed I'll sort it. Otherwise I'll end up wearing some foxed clip-on which would disgrace Manuel.
Cheers
CotN
'bout time someone told you......you tie it exactly like a shoe lace. Just when you are pulling the bows though work to get them to fold at the nawwowest part. Best to practice first with it around your thigh then around your neck. It's much easier than it looks to do a basic knot then just needs fiddling with.
I've never been anywhere posh enough to warrant learning how to tie one!!!
ex-Council estate ex-lager lout here I'm afraid!!!
Can't you just spray one on? .... It will look great all evening and won't need adjusting and when you do your seduction routine - if ya get lucky - you wont have to do the James Bond thing and loosen it!!
ex-Council estate ex-lager lout here I'm afraid!!!
Can't you just spray one on? .... It will look great all evening and won't need adjusting and when you do your seduction routine - if ya get lucky - you wont have to do the James Bond thing and loosen it!!
Orgasminator
In another life I used to wear a bow tie every evening, well at least 4 evenings out of 7.
The trick to learning is tie it round your thigh (you'll probably have to lengthen it 1st). Do this until you can do it with your eyes closed. Then try it round your neck (remembering to shorten it first).
The other tick is it must be exactly the right length or it won't tie properly.
The trick to learning is tie it round your thigh (you'll probably have to lengthen it 1st). Do this until you can do it with your eyes closed. Then try it round your neck (remembering to shorten it first).
The other tick is it must be exactly the right length or it won't tie properly.
I didget some strange looks on the train...
But, I also got the dam thing tied! Just tried the old 'not really concentrating' trick and found that my fingers knew what to do after all, it was just my brain getting in the way.
It was the 'tucky behind' bit that was the key, I was trying to push the bit through from the right, when it needed to be from the left.
Try and push the right thing in the right hole from the right direction. That's a good rule for life people, write it down.
Cheers
Cock of the North
But, I also got the dam thing tied! Just tried the old 'not really concentrating' trick and found that my fingers knew what to do after all, it was just my brain getting in the way.
It was the 'tucky behind' bit that was the key, I was trying to push the bit through from the right, when it needed to be from the left.
Try and push the right thing in the right hole from the right direction. That's a good rule for life people, write it down.
Cheers
Cock of the North
I used to have to wear a bow tie for my old job, and after spending many's a night damn near launching the thing out the window in a shambled attempt to tie it, I went out and bought one that was pre-tied, and fastened with a little clasp behind the bow..
Hated wearing the thing though. Made me look like a trained gorilla.
Hated wearing the thing though. Made me look like a trained gorilla.