This seminar was a perfect break from the near end of a hectic semester for me. I chose to go to the activity because I already know how to tie a tie, but to my surprise I learned something new. I never knew how to tie a bowtie before the seminar (I only have a clip on bow tie at home but thats about it). It is an essential skill all tie wearers must know how to do and I found it very helpful. Besides learning tie tying, the seminar was small and we really got to learn more about everyone in the room through laughs and mistakes.

On Thursday I went to the Learn to Tie a Tie with Ty event. I had some previous experience with tying a classic half Windsor knot, but I was excited to learn about how to tie other types of knots. We learned how to tie a half Windsor, a full Windsor and then how to tie a bow tie. Interestingly, after learning how to tie the bow tie and seeing how simple it was once I learned it, I began to wonder why other people did not wear bow ties as often as normal ties. I had always liked how bow ties looked but I had never even thought to wear one, because I thought they were too hard to tie. I started to think, I wonder if that’s why other people don’t wear bow ties as often, because they think that it may be too difficult to tie. I found this experience to be rather informative and fun, it helped me step out of my comfort zone a little and learn something new, that was much easier than I thought.

During my last Rose Scholar event this semester, I learned how to tie a tie and also heard other people’s experiences wearing ties and tying them. It was very cool to hear what type of events people wear ties. It was also interesting to hear how some people haven’t even worn a tie in the past few months or years. So, it was a great refresher to learn how to tie a tie, especially a bow tie. Not only was it a valuable skill to learn for formal events, but we also enjoyed learning how to tie a tie. We helped each other out and it was much more enjoyable than simply just learning to tie a tie. In the midst of learning, one student shared a unique, faster way to tie a tie which caught all of our attentions. Someone even mentioned that they were going to use that method now on. Overall, it was a great time to learn a skill and I look forward to other events like this in which we learn while helping each other and enjoying the experience.

Neckties and bowties are essential for a formal attire. People wear them on a wide variety of occasions, from social gatherings to professional events. The skill of tying a tie seems to be one of the necessary skills to master as an individual enters adulthood, but being able to tie well takes both time and efforts.

In the workshop last Thursday night, I learned to tie a tie with my GRF Ty. Learning to tie a necktie wasn’t that difficult, but I was surprised to see the numerous ways to do so. Some of the more complex methods produce a more symmetrical product with heightened aesthetics. Learning to tie a bowtie, on the other hand, was definitely a little more challenging. Although bowties are smaller, the steps involved in tying them are actually more than those for a necktie. The process of adjusting a bowtie after tied is also more difficult. However, I really liked the look of a bowtie. They give people a different feel and can make your formal attire more stylish. Many celebrities, including Adam Levine, Obama, and Cornell alum Bill Nye, love wearing bowtie. However, one thing to note about them is that, citing Business Insider, “bow ties don’t look nearly as cool loosened like regular ties.” So putting on a necktie might be a better option when you realized you only have 10 seconds to dress up before a formal party…

A loose bowtie

Source:

https://www.businessinsider.com/when-to-wear-a-bow-tie-2014-8

I’ve only worn a necktie a few times in my life. I think the last time I wore one was during my high school graduation, 3 years ago (other than that, I actually can’t remember when I last wore one). In those few cases, I sort of learned how to tie the tie it by watching a Youtube video more times than I can count, until I _kind of_ understood… and then proceeded to get confused again 5 minutes later hahah (I’m a pretty slow learner, so this was expected)
This Thursday, I learned how to do it once again. Not one, but two types of knots for a necktie, and one for a bowtie too! Ty made it a super fun event, and even made a whole PowerPoint about tying ties! I had a blast trying out the knots and getting confused alongside other students, and I also ended up getting them right faster than I expected!
Re-doing the movements with my hands right now, I’m happy to say I broke the rule of “forgetting how to do it 5 minutes later”: I still remember all of them, and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting them anytime soon. After all, differently from before (when I learned by myself and got frustrated for having so much difficulty), they’re now tied (ba dum tss) to a fun memory!! ^v^

EDIT: I guess I could say the event was… enTIEtaining, amirite?