Be a Classy Gentleman™: Tie Your Shoes Symmetrically

Most civilized folk know to steer clear of the so-called "Granny Knot." From Fieggen.com, the leading authority on all things shoelace:

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If both [the starting knot and the finishing bow] are tied in the same direction, those twists compound each other, resulting in an "un-balanced" knot that sits crooked.



But, many otherwise refined and well-socialized men overlook the next step: You must learn two knots to allow for symmetry between your two feet. The starting knot of one must be left-over-right, and the other right-over-left. Shoes are made to be mirror images of each other, and the effect is ruined by a failure to tie them individually. See below for a visual representation:



I can't tell you the number of men who have been passed over for a promotion because of character flaws revealed by their shoe knots.

Tie your shoes correctly. Separate yourself from the barbarian horde. Become a Classy Gentleman .

Thank you BigRob. I timely reminder.

The condition of your shoes are the first thing people notice. An untidy knot has repercussions.

Many of the long time posters on SF never accepted the importance of a carefully tied shoelace. I'm talking about Manton, gdl203 and other unfortunates.

Doc Holiday's fear of bad lacing drove him to wear boots almost exclusively. Some may say that's an overreaction. But I say, better boots then granny knots.

But one of my feet is bigger than the other. Is my career ruined?

Exdeath said:

But one of my feet is bigger than the other. Is my career ruined?

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No; amputation and prosthesis is always an option.

In b4 Manton....



jrd617 said:

In b4 Manton....

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Manton will never post in this thread. Shame and guilt will drive him away.



Coburn said:

Doc Holiday's fear of bad lacing drove him to wear boots almost exclusively. Some may say that's an overreaction. But I say, better boots then granny knots.

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Even this has not saved me, for I have discovered that chukkas fall prey to the granny knot just as easily as any other laced footwear. Imagine where I could have been in the world had I not gone down this dark path -- and how many fewer times I would have tripped along the way!

Learn from my mistakes, gentlemen! Learn from my mistakes!

Is this a real thread? I'm all for symmetrical laces but I'll I hope to never associate with someone who judges a person on the symmetry of their shoe laces.

I hope never to associate with someone who ties their laces asymmetrically. Let us banish them to orthotic footwear and flip-flops forever.

Gentlemen, if you cannot master tying the symmetric knot on an Oxford, derby and boots, don't despair. Think outside the box, as they say. Look beyond the cotton or leather laces. Other forms of foot wear have been invented that not only help us achieve the equal level of elegance but also prevent disapproving glances from the extremely fastidious in our clan. The answers my friends are loafers, monk straps, lazy mans and of course chelsea boots. Chin up boys, we can do this.

I had to get expert knot-tying consultation to get over this hump. My sensei really knew his way around a knot. Unfortunately he hasn't returned my calls in a few years...

bourbonbasted said:

I had to get expert knot-tying consultation to get over this hump. My sensei really knew his way around a knot. Unfortunately he hasn't returned my calls in a few years...

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Grasshopper, never assume that because a man has no shoes, that his laces are not tied.



gdl203 said:

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Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!