How To Tie The Perfect Tie

Tying the perfect tie is an art form, it makes all the difference in how your shirt and tie combo look. A simple touch such as a dimple in a tie can add both sophistication and depth to one man’s outfit, whereas an unbalanced and rushed knot can make it look like a clip on.

There are a few different knots you should identify yourself with. These are great to know, as one of the best ways for a man to accessorise is with a tie. Some knots go better with certain outfits and others accent your body frame in a more flattering way. You should get to know at least ONE knot perfectly.

Today we’ll be taking a closer look at four of the most popular tie knots – the Windsor knot, the Half-Windsor knot, the Four-In-Hand knot and the Pratt knot – to ensure you’re prepared for any situation.

The Windsor knot.

The Windsor knot is the most popular knot and the most used knots for shirt and suit combos. It is a thick, wide and triangular knot that projects confidence. It would therefore be your knot of choice for anywhere you need to look respectable, such as at work. Because of its size, the Windsor is best suited for wide spread collar shirts.

How To Tie A Windsor Knot

1. Begin with the wide end of the tie on your right side, and the narrow on the left.
2. Place the wide end across the narrow end.
3. Bring the wide end around and throw the neck loop.
4. Bring the wide end back down to the right.
5. Pull the wide end underneath the existing knot.
6. Bring the wide end through the neck loop again – this creates a symmetrical shape.
7. Bring the wide end back down and to the right.
8. Loop the wide end in front of the existing knot, up to the neck loop from underneath then down through the newly created loop.
9. Tighten / adjust knot as needed.

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The Half Windsor knot.

The half Windsor knot differs from the Windsor in that it’s not as wide, but still wide enough that you should make sure it’s not pushing your collar up awkwardly. You’ll come to rely on this knot pretty heavily as it works for almost every occasion. It is a lot easier to get the hang of than the Full Windsor.

How To Tie A Half-Windsor Knot

1. Begin with the wide end on your right and the narrow on your left.
2. Bring the wide end across over the narrow end.
3. Bring the wide end upwards, through the collar loop, then bring down.
4. Now cross the wide end underneath your knot, then cross over the narrow end.
5.  Pull through the collar again, then pull through the neck loop.
6. Tighten / adjust knot as needed.

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Four-in-hand knot.

If you’re looking for a knot to wear with casual clothing then the four-in-hand knot is ideal. It’s naturally going to be a little asymmetrical, so don’t be discouraged that it doesn’t look straight. The dimple is much harder to produce on this kind of knot, and sometimes will not form at all. This is a great knot for those times you’re in a rush too.

How To Tie A Four-In-Hand Knot

1. Place the wide end to the right, around 12 inches below the narrow end.
2. Bring the wide end over the narrow end.
3. Bring back underneath, then around to create a full loop.
4. Pull the wide end up through the neck collar, then down through the loop.
5. Tighten / adjust knot as needed.

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Pratt knot.

The Pratt is neither as large as the Windsor nor as narrow as the four-in-hand knot, it pairs well with most dress shirts and looks suitable on any occasion.

How To Tie A Pratt Knot

1. Begin with the tie upside down.
2. The wide end should be to the right, and around 12 inches below the narrow end.
3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end.
4. Bring over, and through the neck loop.
5. Bring the wide end in front of the narrow.
6. Bring underneath, and slide through the loop.
7. Adjust / tighten knot as needed.

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Now that you’re familiar with how to tie the perfect tie for every occasion, why not take a look through our men’s tie range here at Ties R Us and find the ideal tie for you!