Neckties are element of fashion statement for men. Traditionally, men’s neckties are worn with the top shirt button fastened, and the tie knot resting comfortably between the collar ends. However, it has become common in recent times for neckties to be worn as a casual piece, tied loosely around the neck. Some trends define tie to rest under the shirt collar with one or 3 buttons unfastened. Generally, there are four types of knots used to tie neckties.
Four in Hand Knot is in style and simple to knot for men’s necktie. This technique of tying a necktie is also known as a
Four In Hand Knot Tying
Simple Knot or Schoolboy Knot. A novice should learn that a Four in Hand Knot is somewhat related to a kind of buntline knot which used for attaching a rope to an object. This is how it works. First, place the tie around the neck with the broad end is extended longer on the right hand side. Cross the broad end to the left hand side on the top of the narrow end. Make a loop with the broad end of the necktie around, and behind the narrow end. Then, wrap the broad end around the front again and pull it through the left side on the shirt collar. Don’t tighten the knot yet. With your left hand create a loop on the front side of the knot, and hold it open. Then, with your right hand, pull the broad end through the loop. Gently tighten the tie knot and then, center the tie knot between your collars. That’s all there! This knot appears slightly asymmetrical and less broad and bulky in knot binding. To tie the Four in Hand Knot, select a necktie of width 3.5 inches or smaller and you’re good to tie knot.
Pratt Knot as known as the Shelby Knot looks more formal than the four-in-hand knot as the tie knot looks symmetrical. This technique could be achieved by resting the necktie face inside out. Make sure you place the broad end on the right hand side long enough to make a loop. The broad end is folded behind the narrow end, creating a loop. Pull the loop down and tighten. Then, take the broad end over to the right. Pull the wide end up, behind the loop. And finally, bring the wide end through the knot and tighten gently.
Half Windsor Knot Tying
The Half-Windsor Knot is much more triangular looking tie knot as compared to the Four in Hand Knot. To tie the half-Windsor, place the tie around your neck in a similar position for tying a Pratt Knot. Yet, in this technique, no need to turn your tie to face inside out. Take the broad end and cross it over the narrow end. Wrap the broad end around the narrow end near the collar part. Here, create the loop by pulling the broad end up from the collar end to pass behind the narrow end of the tie. This step is not finished yet. Hold the half finished knot in place with your left hand. Pull the broad end behind the tie and around back to the front side of the narrow end. Next, pull the broad end around the part located on your right side near the collar. Don’t pull it tight, but make sure you have a loop on the front of the unfinished Windsor. Then, pull the broad part in through the loop, tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar. This type of knot is best suited for taller persons when wearing shirts with a medium or regular collar spread.
Double Windsor Knot Tying
The Windsor Knot is sometimes called the Full Windsor or Double Windsor knot as it is the thickest knot of the four and has the most steps in tying. The Double Windsor knot requires you to wrap the broad end twice around the narrow end. To tie the Windsor, place the tie around your neck and cross the broad end in front of the narrow end. Just like with the half Windsor tie knot, pull the broad part through the loop on the right side of your collar. Then, pull the broad end back behind the narrow end. To make a double Windsor knot out of the half Windsor, do the same on the left side. Pull the half finished Windsor knot tight so both wrappings stay in place. Hold the loop open that you created on the last wrapping with your left hand, and pull the broad end of the necktie through the loop. Slowly pull the Windsor tight.
The common mistakes that people make when tying a Double Winsor Tie Knot is when doing the wrapping. Make sure you overlap both wrappings. This guarantees that the gap between both wrappings is closed to prevent the tie from slipping through this gap. If this happens, the tie will not be centered on the Windsor. And, in this case, redo your knot from the start. Choose extra long ties which measure about 61”-62” in length so you could have less trouble in making loops.
Regular neckties are normally 58” and 59” inches in length. Thus, choosing the suitable tie length to tie a knot such as Windsor will depend more on your height and your collar size.
