How to Lace 3-Eyelet Dress Shoes (3-Hole Guide)

This guide shows you how to lace shoes with 3 eyelets (3 holes).

There are four basic lacing methods:

Parallel
Single
Overlap
Underlap

We will explain how to apply each of these methods to 3-eyelet shoes.

With both photo and video tutorials available, grab your shoes and follow along with us!

Lacing Methods for 3-Eyelet Dress Shoes

How to Decide on a Lacing Method

Regardless of the method, the basic rule is to feed the lace through the top eyelets from underneath.

This applies whether you have 3-eyelet shoes, 5-eyelet shoes, or 8-eyelet boots.

In other words, if you remember these two points, you should never be lost for a lacing method:

Know the four basic lacing methods.
Always feed the lace through the top eyelets from underneath, no matter the number of eyelets.

Now, let's get into the specific methods.

Parallel & Single

Creates a formal, neat impression.
For 3-eyelet shoes, the Parallel and Single methods result in the same lacing pattern.

While Parallel and Single lacing look the same on 3-eyelet shoes, they are different methods for shoes with four or more eyelets.

To learn more about each method, please see the articles below.

Parallel Lacing Method / Single Lacing Method

1: Run the lace straight across on the outside (over) and feed through the bottom eyelets (A1 and B1).
2: Feed the end from B1 underneath and up through A2. (Diagonal passes go underneath.)

3: Run the lace from A2 straight across on the outside (over) to B2. (Horizontal passes go on top.)
4: Feed the end from B2 underneath and up through A3.

5: Feed the end from A1 underneath and up through B3.
6: Tie the knot to complete.

Overlap

Creates a casual look.
Provides excellent hold.
Allows for tight lacing.
Also used for sneakers, athletic shoes, and hiking boots.

1: Run the lace straight across on the outside (over) and feed through the bottom eyelets.
2: Cross the ends on the outside and feed them through the second eyelets.

3: At the top, cross the ends on the inside and feed them up through the eyelets.
4: Tie the knot to complete.

Underlap

Creates a casual look.
Offers a looser, more relaxed fit than Overlap.
Easier to loosen than Overlap.

1: Run the lace straight across on the inside (under) and feed through the bottom eyelets.
2: Cross the ends on the inside and feed them up through the second eyelets.