Knots and Crosses
For men, the tie is often a safe item where we can add a touch of color to what could otherwise be a boring and predictable outfit. But for some men, the thought of knotting a tie can be rather intimidating. Hopefully, we can demystify The Secret of the Tie.
There are many ways to knot a tie. Actually, Thomas Fink and Yong Mao listed 85 in their book The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie (1999). Some of the more popular are the Full Windsor, the Half Windsor and the Four in Hand. Let's go through them one at a time.
The Full Windsor:
Named after Edward VII, the Duke of Windsor, it is a more formal style of knotting a tie and produces a symmetrical triangular knot. It is particularly suited to spread or cutaway collars. Here's how to tie it:
The Half Windsor:
Similar to the Full Windsor knot, it produces a smaller knot and not quite as symmetrical because it is brought up around the loop on only one side:
The Four-In-Hand
Also called the 'schoolboy knot', it is probably one of the most popular methods of knotting a tie because it it so simple. It produces a narrow, asymmetrical knot appropriate for general use:
Now some extra notes on wearing ties:
- Keep the dimple of the tie centered so the knot doesn't look uneven.
- Make sure the knot is tight enough. Too tight and you'll look like a sausage and too loose you could look unkempt.
- The tip of the tie should end in the middle of your belt buckle
- Don't wear a stained tie!
Happy knotting!
