Best ways to tie a tie: how to tie a necktie (best ways to tie a necktie)

There are a wide variety of tie knots, from the classic single knot to the sophisticated Windsor knot, and more original knots like the Trinity or Onassis. Choosing the right knot and tying it with precision can seem daunting at first. But with a little practice and the right advice, any man can master the art and the different ways of tying. In this article, we’ll review the main types of tie knots, step-by-step techniques for tying them, useful resources for practicing, tips for choosing the right knot, and tricks for tying them to perfection. The precise number of possible tie knots has been the subject of mathematical research. Researchers have counted 85 knots that meet both aesthetic and scientific criteria. Still, knots and ways of tying a necktie are created everyday. But, be careful, not all knots are created equal.  In this article, you’ll learn what is the proper type of knot for you, and the knot to wear under specific circumstances.   Thanks to easy to read step-by-step instructions and video you will learn the most popular way of tying knots. You will however have to choose well between thin silk ties and woolen thick ties. 

Classic tie knots: simple knot, double windsor knot, half windsor knot, four-in-hand knot. Different ways to tie necktie knots

Let’s start with an overview of the most common basic knots.

1. Simple knot (also known as four in hand knot)

This is the most common knot. Asymmetrical, it’s suitable for most situations because it is easy and quick. However it remains quite subtle to learn how to properly tighten the knot This knot takes its name from 19th-century British coachmen who tied it with four fingers of one hand while holding the reins with the other. One of the simplest tie knot, it is quite easy to learn. The four-in-hand knot became popular with gentlemen riders, who adopted it for its simplicity on horseback. Here’s our complete tutorial for the four-in-hands knot:

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Third menswear blog in France (@jamaisvulgaire)

Here are a few pictures with that knot:

3. Full windsor knot

More voluminous and symmetrical, the Windsor knot is perfect for formal occasions. It is a little more complicated though. This knot was invented by the Duke of Windsor Edward VIII in the 1920s. He loved it for its perfect symmetry. The Windsor knot reached its peak of popularity in the 1950s, worn by businessmen and politicians like JFK. It symbolized power.

With its perfect symmetry, this knot adds poise and confidence. It goes very well in a business setting.

4. Half Windsor knot

The demi-Windsor knot offers a compromise between the imposing Windsor knot and the more discreet four-in-hand knot. This knot is a variant of the Windsor, attributed to the shirt manufacturer Foster & Co in the 1930s. In the 1950s, the half-Windsor became the favorite knot of Hollywood actors like Cary Grant and Fred Astaire for its noble yet relaxed stature.

Here’s a photo with a half-Windsor knot:

Here on Bernhard Roetzel With its balanced triangular shape, this knot is ideal for the office.

Rare and original tie knots: Prince Albert (double single), Onassis knot, Pratt knot, Balthus knot, Trinity knot

Nicky knot

The Nicky knot takes its name from a visit by Nikita Khrushchev to Milan in the 1950sAt the time, quick, inverted knots like the Nicky and Pratt were popular in store windows and at Italian tailors. The Nicky knot is tied inside out: first, the tie seam is placed on the outside, then hidden under the collar It’s a quick and easy knot to tie, with just 6 steps. It’s also easy to undo by pulling on the small flap.

Medium-sized, it is suitable for ties made of thin to medium-thick fabrics. The owner of a tie factory in Milan, Ernesto Curami, has even printed brochures to explain the Nicky knot to his customers. Elegant and symmetrical, it enhances even patterned ties. Having fallen into oblivion, the Nicky knot was rediscovered in the 1990s thanks to a photo of a badly made Pratt knot (actually a Nicky)

In short, the Nicky knot is an easy-to-tie, elegant, fabric-friendly Italian tie knot that was rediscovered in the 1990s. Its history is linked to that of the Pratt knot and 20th-century Milanese fashion.

Pratt knot

The Pratt knot, also known as the Shelby knot, is a variant of the Windsor knot invented in the 1980s by Jerry Pratt, an employee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The knot became popular in 1986 when Jerry Pratt showed TV host Don Shelby how to tie it, hence the two names. The special thing about the Pratt knot is that it’s made with the tie upside down to start with, with the seams exposed. It’s virtually symmetrical and suitable for all ties.

Although Pratt invented the knot without knowing the Italian Nicky knot, the Pratt looks very similar and is sometimes considered a variant of the Nicky. The Pratt knot is reputedly easy to tie with just a few passes, using less fabric than a full Windsor knot. It’s a medium-sized knot, ideal for medium-sized faces as the Windsor can dwarf them. It is suitable for wide ties in light to medium-weight fabrics. The Pratt knot can be worn on all occasions, more casually than the Windsor. It’s a practical knot when you’re in a hurry:

In short, the Pratt knot is a symmetrical, intermediate variant of the Windsor, reputedly easy to tie and practical, invented in the 1980s by Jerry Pratt.

Onassis knot

The Onassis knot was popularized in the 1960s by Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis. It is characterized by a final loop passed over the tie rather than through the loop, giving it an unstructured style. This knot is held in place by a special clip placed at the knot to give it its particular shape. Unfortunately, this clip is nowhere to be found and the model has been lost. Without a clip, the Onassis knot tends to come undone and needs to be readjusted during the day. It is therefore best suited to extra-long ties.

Although highly original, this knot can be used in all circumstances and is suitable for all morphologies. It is less damaging to the tie than other knots The Onassis knot is made in a similar way to a simple or Windsor knot, the only difference being that the tie passes over the final loop instead of through it. In short, the Onassis knot is an atypical tie knot popularized in the 60’s, distinguished by its raised final loop giving it a highly original unstructured style. It is similar to a simple or Windsor knot.

Balthus knot

The Balthus knot was invented in the 1930s by the French-Polish painter Balthasar Klossowski, known as Balthus. Balthus is said to have created it out of boredom and probably never wore it himself. This is a variant of the Plattsburgh knot, with 4 loops around the central knot instead of 2. 9 steps or « passes » around the knot are required to tie it, hence its complexity. This voluminous knot is best suited to silk ties with a wide trellis for a better finish

Today, the Balthus knot remains above all an original decorative knot worn occasionally to stand out from the crowd. Its imposing size makes it more suited to men with broad necks and square faces:

In short, the Balthus knot is a spectacular and complex tie knot, invented in the 1930s by the painter Balthus. Even today, it’s a rare decorative knot worn to impress on special occasions.

Trinity knot (also close to the Eldredge knot)

The Trinity tie is a fairly recent knot, appearing in the 20th century. It takes its name from the Celtic symbol of the triquetra, representing a triple divinity. This knot is characterized by its original hexagonal shape. Unlike most tie knots, it’s made with the small end of the tie wrapped around the large end. The Trinity knot is one of the tie knots considered more complex and original. It adds a touch of originality to more classic knots like the Windsor or half-Windsor.

in short, the Trinity tie knot is a relatively recent knot, dating back to the 20th century, distinguished by its original geometric shape inspired by an ancient Celtic symbol. It adds a touch of originality to more classic knots.

Prince Albert knot

The Prince Albert knot, also known as the double single knot, is a variation on the single tie knot. It has an extra turn, making it thicker.

This tie knot takes its name from Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. It was popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Here’s our video tutorial for the Prince Albert knot:

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Third menswear blog in France (@jamaisvulgaire)

The Prince Albert knot works well with thin, supple ties. It’s ideal for narrow, elongated shirt collars:

The steps for tying a Prince Albert knot are similar to the simple knot, but with an extra twist. Care must be taken with the positioning of the long side of the tie on the last turn This elegant, refined tie knot lends a dressier, more formal style to an outfit. It is suitable for special occasions such as weddings

Tying a tie according to your morphology: how to choose the right knot, step by step to choose the right necktie knots

Choosing the ideal tie length depends on your height, posture and body proportions:

Height

In general, taller men should wear longer ties that extend closer to the waist or belt. Shorter ties can look disproportionate. Conversely, shorter men don’t want ties that fall below the waist, which can make you look like you’re drowning in fabric. Ties should be at mid-waist. Medium-sized men have more leeway, but the mid-torso length is still the most versatile.

Posture

Men with good posture can reduce their tie length. Slumped shoulders require longer ties. If you slouch, take a longer tie to account for the way it will move when you stand up straight.

Body type

Longer ties suit men with long torsos and shorter legs. This balances the proportions. If you have a short torso and long legs, opt for shorter ties to complement your silhouette. Heavily built men may need longer ties to reach sufficiently below the stomach. Tall, slim men may opt for shorter ties. For those who don’t want to take any chances, the ideal arrival point is near the middle of your belt buckle. This flatters most body types while giving you room to maneuver without the tie dragging.

Popular online tie-knot resources: learn how to tie a tie properly

Many websites, videos and guides offer useful tutorials for practicing different tie knots:

• • YouTube videos with step-by-step demonstrations are very useful for visualizing techniques. Slow down the speed to see each gesture.

• • Sites like tie-a-tie.net provide comprehensive textual and visual instructions for a wide variety of knots.

• • Diagrams and infographics available on Pinterest or men’s fashion blogs offer good visual support.

• • Mobile apps like Tie Knots provide 3D animations with audio guides to accompany you.

• • Books specializing in tie knots have the advantage of containing numerous tutorials.

You can combine these different resources to deepen your tie-knot skills.

Choosing the right tie knot: single tie knot, double tie knot? Which tie knot for which occasion? Best tips every man should know

Several factors go into selecting the right knot for your outfit and situation:

Tie material

• • Silk ties allow for complex knots like the Windsor, thanks to their fluidity. Opt for simpler knots like the four-in-hand with stiffer cotton or linen ties.

• • Thick wool ties lend themselves well to wide, triangular knots like the Windsor, which fill out their volume.

• • Textured materials like grenadine can accommodate a wide variety of knots.

Tie proportions

• • Wide ties deserve generous knots. Avoid small knots that will get lost.

• • Conversely, keep small knots on thin ties, otherwise the effect will be grotesque.

Suit proportions

• • A suit with pronounced shoulders and a slim fit goes well with an assertive, structured bow like the Windsor.

• • For a casual suit, prefer more modest bows that respect the relaxed spirit of the ensemble.

The shirt collar

It’s important to avoid mistakes in the combination of bow and collar that can give a sloppy look. For example, a small knot on a very wide collar creates too great an offset. The outer circumference of the bow should match the inner circumference of the collar. Face type also influences collar choice. Choose a collar that differs from your face shape. A round face will prefer a more angular pointed collar. A square face will prefer an Italian or buttoned collar. As for the knot, a narrow or buttoned collar works well with a small knot such as a four-in-hand. A wide collar tolerates a large Windsor knot. The knot should fill the space between the points without spreading them apart.

• • A classic narrow collar is best suited to a small single knot, while a wide collar can accommodate a large Windsor knot.

• • The knot should fill the space between the collar points without spreading them too far apart.

With observation and practice, you’ll hone your eye for the ideal knot to enhance each configuration.

Which tie knot for a wedding?

A wedding is a special occasion that deserves elegant attire. For many men, this means wearing a suit with a tie to complete the outfit. But with so many options, which tie should you choose for a wedding? Here are a few tips:

Type of event

• • Formal wedding: dark suit, Windsor or double Windsor knot.

• • Casual wedding: lighter suit, smaller knot like Nicky or four-in-hand.

• • Beach wedding: linen or cotton shirt and tie. Simple bow.

The color

• • Dark suit: tie in shades of blue, gray or burgundy to complement the suit.

• • Light suit: tie in contrasting colors such as royal blue, green or pink.

• • Grey suit: navy, lavender or graphite tie.

• • Beige or khaki suit: sky blue, salmon, mustard yellow tie.

The pattern

• • Plain: good for formal weddings.

• • Stripes: classic. Thin stripes for more formal weddings, wider stripes for casual.

• • Polka dots: a fun, casual option.

• • Floral: perfect for spring or outdoor weddings.

Material

• • Silk: traditional, formal, flowing.

• • Cotton/linen: for a casual look, especially in summer.

• • Wool: gives body and consistency to triangular bows.

Bow style

Bow style	Level of formality
Windsor or double Windsor	Very formal
Half Windsor	Formal
Four-in-hand	Semi-formal
Nicky	Casual

Some combinations

Outfit	Tie
Navy suit, white shirt	Light blue striped silk
Grey suit, white shirt	Plain lavender silk
Beige linen, blue shirt	Blue cotton with white polka dots

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about tie knots: Which knot looks best? It’s all a question of personal taste and the desired effect. The Windsor knot and the half-Windsor knot are often considered the most symmetrical. The Nicky knot brings a different style. How do I tie a Windsor knot? The Windsor knot is made by criss-crossing the tie widely, making two complete turns around the neck knot before passing the wide side through the loop. This is one of the most complex knots. How to choose the right knot? Consider tie material and width, suit proportions, shirt collar and level of formality to select a proportionate knot. Where should the end of the tie stop? Ideally, the end of the tie should reach the middle of the belt buckle for a flattering balance.

Tips for the perfect knot

A few tips to perfect your technique:

• • Practice in front of a mirror to visually check each step.

• • Start with simple knots such as the four-in-hand, then move on to more elaborate ones.

• • Go slowly, without hurrying, keeping the ends firmly in place.

• • Check the knot from all angles for defects.

• • Use a tie pin to hold the narrow end in place.

• • Redo the knot if necessary to correct imperfections.

With regular practice, these gestures will become mastered automatisms.

Conclusion

Tying a good tie knot requires skill and technique. By methodically learning the basics with the various tutorials available, then practicing regularly, any man can yet master this art. Once you’ve mastered the basics, pay particular attention to choosing the knot best suited to your body type, tie material, suit and shirt proportions, and the situation. Take the time to adjust the knot to perfection. Then you can proudly wear this elegant symbol of masculine style.