Loafers can be very comfortable, but because the laces are made of leather, many people have trouble tying them so they look good and the knot is secure. Here are a few different methods you can try the next time you need to lace up a pair of loafers.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Method One: Double Slot Knot
Step 1. Tie the laces together in a simple knot to begin with
Cross the left lace with the right. Wrap this left lace around the right and tighten to complete a basic knot.
- When you pass the left lace over the right, fold the end over and then under the right.
- The end of the left lace will move left to right and back to right throughout the process.
- Pull the two laces together firmly to secure the knot.
Step 2. Shape two "rabbit ears" with the laces
Fold the left lace in half, forming a loop, and close the base of the ring with your fingers. Repeat the same action with the right: fold it in two, form a ring, and close the base with your fingers.
- Hold the two rings next to each other for a moment.
- Quickly observe the dimensions of the two rings. They don't need to be exactly the same, but the two "rabbit ears" should be roughly the same size.
Step 3. Fold the left ring over the right, and pass it through the resulting central hole
- Overlap the two rings so that the left is under the right more or less perpendicular.
- Fold the left ring over the right. This should create a hole near the base of the two rings.
- Carefully thread the left ring through this central hole. Don't tighten yet.
Step 4. Fold the right ring back
Fold the right loop back so that it crosses the left and the entire knot structure from behind. Thread this ring through the same central hole.
- This can be done at the same time or right after dealing with the left ring. Remember, however, that the left ring will have to be folded before you can make the right one. Otherwise the central hole in which to pass the right ring will not yet exist.
- After passing the right loop through the center hole, the two loops of laces should again be roughly the same size.
Step 5. Tighten
Pull the right ring to the right, and the left to the left to tighten the knot. Use even force on both laces to form a neat, even bow.
- As long as you apply enough force and tighten the knot properly, they shouldn't come loose, even with slippery leather laces.
- Note that the "double slip knot" is officially recommended by the Minnetonka Moccasins company. It is a procedure designed to prevent the laces from coming loose or untied easily, therefore ideal for moccasins with leather laces.
Method 2 of 3: Method Two: Nautical Shoe Knot
Step 1. Make a loop with the right lace
Create a loop using about a third of the way through the lace Fold the lace into a loop near the base, and close the bottom between your fingers.
- Note that this method doesn't start with the usual starting knot. In fact, in this method, the laces are not tied together and the ends are not secured.
- Essentially, this is a decorative technique for providing laces so they don't bother when you walk. The spirals formed by this knot will stay firmly in place when tightened properly, even with the leather laces of the moccasins.
- Make sure your loafers are snug enough that you can wear them without unfastening them using this method.
Step 2. Wrap the end of the lace around the ring
Starting with the portion of the end closest to the base of the ring, create a single spiral around the entire ring.
- It is usually easier to maneuver the lace around the ring if you wrap the first loop from the front. It is not essential, however, and technically it can also be done from behind.
- Tighten this first round as much as you can without breaking the grip.
Step 3. Wrap the rest of the lace around the ring to create a spiral
Make a second loop immediately on the second by wrapping the lace around the ring a second time. Continue to wrap the lace around the ring like this, gradually reaching the end of the ring.
- Make sure each round touches the previous one. Otherwise, the whole spiral won't be tight enough to hold everything together.
- Wrap the laces as tightly as possible without losing your grip. This should result in a very tight spiral of leather lace when finished.
Step 4. Thread the end of the lace through the end of the loop
Take what's left of the lace and pull it through the small gap at the top of the ring.
- After passing the lace through the loop, pull up on the end of the lace to close the end of the loop. The tighter you pull, the tighter the spiral will be.
- If you pull the lace hard enough, it won't come loose easily.
Step 5. Repeat the process for the left lace
Use the same technique to create another separate spiral and finish this method of tying the shoes.
- Form a loop with the left lace, consuming one third of half of the lace.
- Wrap the other end of the lace around the ring firmly, starting at the base of the ring.
- Continue wrapping the lace in a tight spiral.
- Pass the remaining end through the end of the ring. Pull it straight up to close the knot and tighten the spiral.
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Standard Knot
Step 1. Make a basic left-right knot
Cross the left lace over the right. Wrap the left around the right and pull tight to complete the basic knot.
- When you pass the left lace over the right, fold the end over and then under the right.
- The end of the left lace will move left to right and back to right throughout the process.
- Pull the two laces together firmly to secure the knot.
- Note that this is the same basic knot used in the double slip knot method. This basic knot forms the start for many different ways of tying shoes.
Step 2. Make a loop with the right lace
Pull enough of the length of the lace to make a loop that measures approximately 5 to 7 cm in length.
- Do not cross the ends. Instead, simply hold the ring closed near the base with your fingers.
- Note that if you are left handed you may find it easier to work in the opposite direction to that of these instructions. In other words, start from the left ring around the right.
Step 3. Wrap the left lace around the right
Pass the left lace to the right, wrapping it lightly around the right ring, Pass the left lace around the right by sliding it behind, over and finally in front of it.
- The left lace should be passed around the right about half way up. Don't wrap it right around the base.
- If done correctly, there should be a small gap between the two laces. This space should be approximately at the base of the laces.
Step 4. Pull the left lace through the center space
Use your index fingers to push the lace through the center created between the two laces. As you push, you should notice that a second loop forms with the left lace.
You should continue to hold the right loop in place as you work on the left lace. If you don't, the right ring will fall apart, ruining the process and forcing you to start over
Step 5. Pull both rings together to tighten
Grab both rings with your fingers and pull them out to tighten the knot tightly.
- The left lace will be pulled to the right and the right lace will be pulled to the left.
- This knot is used to tie most shoe types. You can use it to lace up loafers, and if you practice enough to create even, neat loops, the resulting look will look very nice. However, not being as secure as the double slip or nautical shoe one, you may find yourself having to re-tie your loafers quite often if you rely on this method.
Advice
- For added security and stability, drop a drop of quick-setting glue under the knot.
- Keep the laces of your loafers together with water. Wear loafers until they are comfortable. Wet the knot with a little water, squeezing the leather a little, and let it dry naturally. The resulting slight shrinkage should make it more difficult to untie the shoes.
