Prom Guide 2013 - How to Tie your First Bow Tie
This is a young man’s rite of passage. If you can master tying a Bow-Tie, then you can pretty much do anything. The world is your sartorial oyster!
A self-tie bow tie is far more chic than a pre-tied bow tie. It also means you can also work that end of the evening, James Bond style drop down, with it hanging around your neck.
Left - Beginning of the night - Justin Timberlake
It will take practise, but it's like a sartorial puzzle worth solving.
1. Adjust the tie's length so it fits your neck; they are usually easily adjustable. Sizes are usually marked. Move this around so it’s comfortable and also looks high enough on the front of the shirt.
2. Lift up your shirt collar and put the tie around your neck so the ends hang down at the front. One end should hang 3.5-5cm (1.5 to 2 inches) lower than the other.
Left - Marks & Spencer - Pure Silk Plain Self Bow Tie - £9.50 BUY
3. Bring the longer end across, behind and over the short end to form a simple knot. Pull snugly around the neck.
4. Fold the shorter end of the bow-tie at the widest point where the hourglass shape begins to narrow, to form a bow shape. The bow shape should be in front. Hold the bow in a horizontal position at your neck.
5. Bring the longer end of the over and in front of the shorter end.
6. Fold the longer end at the widest point to form a second bow and then bring this bow under the first bow.
Right - End of the night - James Bond
7. There's a finger sized hole behind pull the second bow through this gap.
8. Adjust and tighten the bow by pulling the opposite ends until happy with the shape. If you’re not happy, then start again. Keep playing until you get it right.
ChicGeek Tip – Don’t try to master this a couple of hours before you have to go out. You’ll get frustrated, panic and then never get it.
Men's Fashion - Label to Know - General Knot & Co
The story behind American brand General Knot & Co. started with two like-minded guys who happened to meet while waiting for a train to New York City. One of them was a design director in the Fashion District and the other a technology engineer in the Flatiron District. Even with totally different career paths, the conversation quickly revealed a shared adoration for great colours and patterns, all things vintage, and an unyielding desire to create enduring products. The foundation of General Knot & Co. was set.
Creating numbered, limited-edition ties using vintage American fabrics (some of which date back as far as World War II) they curate their tie fabrics through a countrywide network of collectors, dealers, estate sales and auctions. They especially love this part of their work, maintaining that there’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding an amazing vintage fabric and giving it 
another lease of life. Each collection of General Knot & Co. ties are made in very limited quantities. You’ll receive your tie accompanied by an exclusively numbered card designating their exact places in the collection.
Left - General Knot & Co. - Midnight Indigo Twill Skinny - £79.94
Christmas Gift Ideas - Reiss 'Dexter' Bow Tie - £49
A perfect gift to wear for New Year's Eve or whenever you want a dash of dress-up. The knitted effect makes this a really tactile bow-tie and the navy will work with most other colours.
How to Tie a Bow-Tie
If you can master tying a bow-tie then you can pretty much do anything. Practise makes perfect and while there is a specific technique (see below), at first it's like a sartorial puzzle worth solving.
1. Adjust the tie's length so it fits your neck; they are usually easily adjustable. Sizes are usually marked.
2. Lift up your shirt collar and put the tie around your neck so the ends hang down at the front. One end should hang 3.5-5cm (1.5 to 2 inches) lower than the other.
3. Bring the longer end across, behind and over the short end to form a simple knot. Pull snugly around the neck.
4. Fold the shorter end of the bow-tie at the widest point where the hourglass shape begins to narrow, to form a bow shape. The bow shape should be in front. Hold the bow in a horizontal position at your neck.
5. Bring the longer end of the Bow Tie over and in front of the shorter end.
6. Fold the longer end at the widest point to form a second bow and then bring this bow under the first bow.
7. There's a finger sized hole behind pull the second bow through this gap.
8. Adjust and tighten the bow by pulling the opposite ends until happy with the shape. If not happy start again.