I see people tying their belts and bows in appalling ways every day. What you’re aiming for is a neat, crisp knot that lies flat and looks nice. The reef, or square knot is the best way to do this. It’s extremely easy if you follow these simple instructions:

• Left over right, tuck under and tighten
• Right over left, tuck under and tighten

The pictures below (courtesy of Ian’s Shoelace Site) illustrate the process in 4 steps.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never forget it. The reef or square knot is what you should use when tying:

• a neck tie or waist tie on a girly top
• a neckerchief
• an oblong scarf
• a waist sash or belt

If you need to make a symmetrical and professional looking bow – try tying a reef knot first and then completing the normal steps involved in making a bow.