How to Choose a Bow Tie for Your Face Shape
By The Black Tux | Premium Online Suit & Tuxedo Rentals | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to pick a bow tie that flatters your face shape. This guide covers butterfly and diamond styles, and offers step-by-step advice for a polished look.
Quick answer
Match your bow tie shape to your face shape: butterfly bows soften angular faces, diamond bows add width to narrow faces, and pre-tied silk options like The Black Tux's Apricot Butterfly Bow Tie work for most formal occasions.
Why face shape matters for bow ties
The width and angle of a bow tie can either balance or exaggerate the natural lines of your face. A butterfly bow tie's symmetrical, squared-off shape adds volume to the center, which can soften a long or narrow face. A diamond-point bow tie, with its tapered ends, can make a round face appear longer and more structured.
The key trade-off: a very wide butterfly bow tie may overwhelm a small or narrow face, while a very narrow diamond bow tie can get lost on a broad face. Knowing your face shape helps you pick the right proportion.
How to choose a bow tie for your face shape
- Determine your face shape: Stand in front of a mirror and trace the outline of your face with a washable marker or mentally. Common shapes: oval (balanced, slightly longer), round (full cheeks, similar width and length), square (strong jaw, broad forehead), heart (wide forehead, narrow chin), diamond (high cheekbones, narrow forehead and jaw). If you are unsure, measure the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. The widest part usually defines your shape.
- Match bow tie shape to your face: For round or square faces, choose a butterfly bow tie (like the Apricot Butterfly Bow Tie) because its horizontal width lengthens the face. For diamond or heart faces, a butterfly bow tie also works well by adding fullness at the center. For oval faces, both butterfly and diamond shapes work; pick based on personal style. For narrow or long faces, a diamond-point bow tie adds angular contrast. Common mistake: wearing a very wide bow tie on a narrow face can make the face look even longer.
- Select the right size and proportion: Bow ties typically come in 2-2.5 inches wide for the butterfly style and 1.5-2 inches for diamond points. If you have a smaller face or shorter neck, stick to the narrower end of the range. For a larger face or broader shoulders, go for the wider end. Pre-tied options like the Quartz Butterfly Bow Tie have adjustable straps that fit most neck sizes. Check the bow tie's width against your lapel width—they should be roughly the same for a balanced look.
- Consider the occasion and color: For formal events, stick to classic colors like black, navy, or burgundy. For creative black tie or parties, you can experiment with shades like apricot or mauve quartz. The Apricot Butterfly Bow Tie adds a warm pop of color that works well for spring and summer weddings. A bright color draws attention to your face, so make sure the shape flatters you first.
Bow ties from this guide
- Apricot Butterfly Bow Tie: The Apricot Butterfly Bow Tie is a pre-tied 100% silk bow tie in a classic butterfly shape with an adjustable strap. Its classic butterfly shape works well for most face shapes, especially diamond and oval, because the symmetrical width balances the jawline.
Apricot Butterfly Bow Tie - Quartz Butterfly Bow Tie: The Quartz Butterfly Bow Tie is a pre-tied 100% silk bow tie in a mauve quartz tone with a classic butterfly shape. The pre-tied design ensures consistent shape every time, and the butterfly cut adds visual width that flatters round and heart-shaped faces.
Quartz Butterfly Bow Tie
