How to Lace 4-Eyelet Dress Shoes (4-Hole Guide)

This guide shows you how to lace shoes with 4 eyelets (4 holes).

There are four basic lacing methods:

• Parallel
• Single
• Overlap
• Underlap

We will explain how to apply each of these methods to 4-eyelet shoes.

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

Lacing Methods for 4-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 4-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

• Creates a formal, neat impression.
• This method is easy to tighten and loosen, provides a firm hold across the instep, and it's the one I use for most of my shoes.

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 A1 underneath and up through B3. (You will typically skip one eyelet.)

5: Run the lace from B3 straight across on the outside (over) to A3.
6: Feed the end from A3 underneath and up through B4. (Feed the lace through the top eyelets from underneath.)

7: Feed the end from B2 underneath and up through A4.
8: Tie the knot to complete.

Single

• Provides a neat look, also suitable for formal occasions.
• The laces underneath all run in the same direction for a clean appearance.
• The laces on top look the same as the Parallel method.
• Offers less hold than the Parallel 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 A1 straight up underneath to A4. 

3: Feed the end from B1 underneath and up through A2.
4: Run the lace from A2 straight across on the outside (over) to B2. (Repeat steps 3 and 4 to the top.)

5: Feed the end from B2 underneath and up through A3.
6: Run the lace from A3 straight across on the outside (over) to B3.

7: Feed the end from B3 underneath and up through A4.
8: 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. (Repeat this pattern.)

3: Cross the ends on the outside and feed them through the third eyelets.
4: At the top, cross the ends on the inside and feed them up through the eyelets.

5: 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.(Repeat this pattern.)

5: Tie the knot to complete.

Finally

That concludes our guide to lacing 4-eyelet dress shoes.

If you're planning to get new shoelaces, please consider our shop, MONDSHOELACE! We are a custom-order shoelace brand with freely selectable lengths.

By the way, the optimal shoelace length for 4-eyelet dress shoes is 70-75cm.

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We also have guides for various other lacing methods.

Summary of Lacing Methods for Dress Shoes