Tie Knots
Windsor
The granddaddy of them all, the Windsor is the most traditional knot and it the first one to master when you learn how to tie a tie; it creates a hefty, professional-looking knot, meaning that it works best for any occasion when you want to look completely respectable.
1. Place the tie around your shoulders, top-side up, with the fat end hanging roughly a foot lower than the skinny end.
2. Cross the fat portion over the skinny end to make an X fairly close to your neck (around the second shirt button).
3. Loop the fat end underneath the thin end and up through the neck loop. Drop it down so that it overlaps the thin end again.
4. Pull the fat end behind the bundle of cloth you’ve created (your first step toward the final knot) to the left. Pull it up and drop it down through the neck loop again, then pull it to the left again.
5. Pull the fat end over from left to right, overlapping your evolving knot.
6. Pull the fat end up through the loop again, behind what now looks like a nearly complete knot.
7. Bring the fat end back down and insert it through the knot.
8. Finish your knot by tightening it. In doing so, you will see the beginnings of a natural dimple form. Manipulate it manually to make this dimple as distinct as possible. Its purpose is to add depth to an otherwise flat, bland-surfaced tie, and concurrently to mark you as a man of style. You will never leave the house without a dimple in your tie again.
Half-Windsor
In the same vein as the Windsor, the Half-Windsor enjoys a professional prestige and polished reputation; however, it’s not quite as bulky, which makes it a better option for narrower collars and softer shirts.
1. Place the tie around your shoulders, top-side up, with the fat end hanging roughly a foot lower than the skinny end.
2. Cross the fat portion over the skinny end to make an X fairly close to your neck (around the second shirt button).
3. Pull the fat end behind the thin end to the right, then up in front of it and down through the neck loop.
4. Pull the fat end over from right to left, overlapping your evolving knot.
5. Pull the fat end up through the loop again, behind what now looks like a nearly complete knot.
6. Bring the fat end back down and insert it through the knot.
7. Finish your knot by tightening it; again, accentuate that dimple.
Four in Hand Knot
The Four in Hand Knot makes for a narrow, more discreet and slightly asymmetrical tie knot. It is best suited for a standard button-down dress shirt and works best with wide neckties made from heavy fabrics.
While this tie knot can be worn by anyone, it looks especially well on men with shorter necks as the knot’s rather narrow and elongated form stretches the perceived height of the neck a tiny bit.
To tie the Four in Hand Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:
1) Start with the wide end (“W”) of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end (“N”) on the left.
2) Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.
3) Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.
4) Continue by bringing the wide end back over in front of the narrow end again.
5) Then, pull the wide end up and through the loop around your neck.
6) Hold the front of the knot loosely with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front loop.
7) At last, remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot up.
Pratt Knot
The Pratt Knot—also known as the Shelby Knot—is tidy and fairly wide, yet not as wide as the Windsor Knot. It is well suited for any dress shirt and somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics.
To tie the Pratt Knot, select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:
1) Start with the necktie inside out, with the wide end (“W”) on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end (“N”) on the left.
2) Then cross the wide end under the narrow end.
3) Take the wide end over and under the narrow end.
4) Pull the loop down and tighten.
5) Then, take the wide end over to the right.
6) Pull the wide end up, behind the loop.
7) And finally, bring the wide end through the knot and tighten gently.
