How-to (Tricks)

Master the Art of Ankle-Tie Shoes

How to wear them—and make them stay put.

Rope

Texture is what helps fabric stay tied, so rope actually won't budge much. You can go for an easy double knot, but wear it in the front—if you put it in the back, it's much more likely to get caught on your shoe when you walk.

Grosgrain

First, wrap these tightly above your ankle. Then pull one end back toward your heel and loop the other around the entire bunch of ribbon several times—so it's securing all the layers, not just the top one—and knot it.

Suede

Suede is pretty fail-safe; it has plenty of traction, so it won't come loose on its own. The trick here is to avoid looking overly bulky: You can get away with the simplest single knot.

Satin or Velvet

Bows look nice in a material this dressy, but they'll come undone. A half bow, finished by wrapping the long end of the ribbon once over the knot and tucking it under the straps, is just as pretty—and more secure.