A black bow-tie is a symbol of formality. The most elegant knot suited for a black-tie event. It is not a challenging knot and you definitely should avoid a clip-on version. A bow tie is part of the required dress code for formal white-tie and black-tie events. It is also the accessory of choice for men in business casual who are looking to spice up their outfit.First, have the bow tie sized to match your collar measurement. Formal events call for a dress shirt with wing collars while spread collars are suitable for semi-formal and business casual dress code. The length of the bow tie matters. For adjustable bow ties, insert the hook into the slot that corresponds with your neck size. Follow the infographics and instructions below and improve your sartorial elegance by learning how to self-tie a bow tie.