Few things are cuter than seeing a young boy wearing a tie or bow tie at an event, such as a wedding. It truly makes them look like a little gentleman. Like an adult man, wearing a tie or bow tie can make a boy look dressed-up. It also makes them look neater, which for some boys is no small feat!

So, when do boys usually wear ties?  What are the best ways for a boy to wear a tie or bow tie? And are there any tips to make the lad wear a tie without too much fuss?

Where and Why Do Little Boys Wear Ties?

The history of boy’s ties is closely linked to the fascinating history of ties worn by adult men. The cravat was the precursor of the modern tie, named after Croatian mercenaries who wore knotted handkerchiefs around their necks during the Thirty Years’ War of 1618-48. King Louis XIV of France loved the look and quickly adopted it, as did the royal court. Interestingly, the French king was just seven years of age, which means it took a young boy to adopt a fashion style that would revolutionize men’s accessories!

However, modern ties as we know them only emerged in 1922, thanks to a New York City tiemaker, Jesse Langsdorf, who made silk ties cut on the diagonal, or ‘on the bias’ as it is known. The Langsdorf tie is the one we know and love today, including those worn by boys.

It’s fair to say that boys typically wear ties or bow ties for special occasions. A special occasion where one might see cute little boys in delightful bow ties, for example, is a wedding, of course. For more on that, read the next section. Other special occasions may include more formal birthday parties or gala events to which they’ve been lucky enough to be invited with their parents!

However, all around the world, there’s one place where many young schoolboys, including teenage boys, are made to wear ties, whether they like to do so or not: at school. The proud and fascinating tradition of schoolboy ties is particularly prevalent in Anglophone countries, such as the UK, South Africa, Australia, Jamaica and Kenya. Non-English countries such as Japan also have that tradition.

Interestingly, a recent development in the UK may mean the demise of schoolboys having to wear ties. That’s because it was decided in March 2025 that members of the British parliament (MPs) would no longer be required to wear ties in Parliament, ending an ancient British tradition of mandatory neckwear by British MPs. Speculation is already running rife that the days of ties in British schools are numbered!

The Little Gentleman At the Wedding

As already stated, a common event at which boys may need to wear ties or bow ties are weddings. The wedding tie is a wonderful addition to any man’s closet, as it should be for boys! As with adult men, the type of wedding will play a significant role in deciding what accessory you should choose for your boy. Weddings with the dress code “black tie” are the most formal, and, like adult men, the safest bet for a boy is the silk or satin bow tie in black. This will look wonderful on any young man in his modern black tuxedo or suit in navy blue.

A formal wedding still requires a young boy to be dressed in a formal suit, such as a double-breasted suit in navy. A more discreet tie, perhaps striped, should be a good match. A young boy can be more experimental at a semi-formal wedding. The best advice for an evening wedding is that a boy wears darker, more formal colours with matching tie or bow tie. Conversely, lighter colours such as dove grey or beige are good bets for boys at a daytime semi-formal wedding. With this outfit, a boy will look dashing with a neck accessory in a bold colour, such as red or turquoise.

Like adult men, boys can have many more options (and fun!) with their ties or bow ties at a casual wedding. They can enjoy bow ties in large polka dots or skinny ties with quirky cartoon designs if they like. At a casual wedding, anything goes, and your young boy should, most importantly, have fun with his accessories!

Tips For Boys Wearing Ties

Like neckties for men, there are many good tips one may need to consider for boy’s ties. For the sake of simplicity, here’s a list of just some useful tips:

  • Most boys over the age of 13 can wear a men’s size tie. However, a width of 3 inches or less for most boys is a good option for boys in their early teens.
  • The standard length for ties for boys aged 8 to 13 is 48 inches from tip to tip. Smaller boys in this age range or younger may do better with a pre-tied or clip-on tie or bow tie instead.
  • Make every effort to ensure that the choice of tie is appropriate for your boy’s height and stature. For example, avoid wider ties or larger bow ties if he is short or thin.
  • For weddings and more formal events, your best bet for your boy’s tie is to secure it with a Windsor knot. It’s neat and elegant and looks best on a smaller neck.
  • As with men, a boy’s tie should never be too long, meaning it shouldn’t fall below the bottom of the child’s belt.
  • Remember that young boys grow very fast, so don’t buy ties too many months in advance! And know that they will outgrow their ‘baby’ ties sooner than you think.

See our large collection of boys ties for plenty of options for your child. The good news is that one doesn’t ever need to be too rigid with what tie or bow tie your boy wears. Luckily for them, just wearing one can make them look all grown up and cute as hell! If only adult men had it that easy, right?