Buzz
Ready to go beyond the clip-on tie? These step-by-step instructions, along with a sleek tie, a mirror, and a touch of patience, will turn you into a tie-tying pro. You have a range of knot options, from the versatile Four-in-Hand Knot to the timeless Windsor.
If you're assisting someone else with their tie, check out this article for guidance from their perspective.
Steps
Mastering the Four-in-Hand Knot Technique
Position the tie around your neck. With your collar up and shirt buttoned, drape the tie over your shoulders. Let the wider end hang on your right side, with the narrower end about 12 inches (30 cm) higher on the left.
Pro Tip: Avoid using this small, asymmetrical knot with spread collars.
Begin by crossing the wider end over the narrower end. Take the wide end to your left side, passing it over the narrow end. Keep both ends held together near your neck with your left hand.
Next, loop the wider end under the narrower one. Release your right hand, threading the wide end beneath the narrow end. Grasp the wide end and pull it through to your right side.
Now, loop the wider end back over. Cross it over the narrow end once more, aligning with where your left hand is securing the knot.
Remember: Ensure the front of the tie faces forward again, hiding the seam.
Draw the wider end through the loop around your neck. Fold the tip of the wider end beneath itself and pull it up through the loop around your neck.
Thread the wider end down through the knot at the front. There should be a horizontal knot formed across the front of your tie. Use your finger to hold this knot open and carefully guide the wider end through it.
Secure the knot. Grip the narrower end and slide the front knot upwards to secure the tie. Ensure your tie hangs straight and reaches an appropriate length, ideally ending at the top of your belt buckle.
- Gently pinch the sides of the knot to create a subtle dimple just below it.
Pro Tip: The four-in-hand knot may appear slightly asymmetrical at the neck. This is perfectly normal, so don't worry about it.
Tuck the narrower end of the tie into the loop on the underside of the wider end.
Lower your collar and ensure the tie is fully covered by it around your neck.
Mastering the Classic Windsor Knot (Extra Formal)
Place the tie around your neck. Ensure the wider end is positioned to the right, approximately 14 inches (36 cm) lower than the narrower end on the left. Since the Windsor knot requires more fabric, start with the lower end positioned slightly lower than usual for a tie.
Pro Tip: Many regard the symmetrical and substantial Windsor knot as the epitome of elegance and formality. Pair it with a spread or wide spread collar for maximum effect.
Overlap the wider end over the narrower end. Grasp each end with one hand, then swap them between your hands. The wider end should now be on your left side.
Guide the wider end through the loop around your neck. Hold the intersecting ends near your collar with your right hand. With your left hand, draw the wider end up through the loop around your neck from below.
Lower the tie back into place. Allow the wider end to rest on your chest, positioned to the left of the narrower end.
Fold the wider end behind the narrower end. Grasp the wider end with your right hand and pull it across to the right side of your body, passing it under the narrower end. Use your left hand to hold the knot near your collar in position.
Wrap the wider end over the narrower end. Fold it back over from right to left, ensuring the front side is visible again.
Draw the wider end through the neck loop from beneath. Pull the wider end back up through the neck loop for the final time.
Thread the wide end through the front knot. Pass the wide end through the horizontal knot at the front of the tie. Pull it through completely.
Secure the knot. Grip the base of the front knot and gently pinch the sides. Gradually tug the wide end of the tie to bring the knot closer to the neck.
Mastering the Pratt Knot (Simple Formal Knot)
Begin by positioning the tie upside down around your collar. Unlike other knots, the Pratt knot starts with the tie inverted, so the seam is visible. Drape the wide end over your right side and the narrow end over your left side.
- This moderately sized knot complements most collar styles and body types.
Adjust the placement of the wide end. In a tied tie, the wide end should lightly touch the top of your belt buckle. Initially, however, raise or lower the wide end until it hangs 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) below this point. As you tie the Pratt knot, it will naturally elevate the wide end by this amount.
- The narrow end of the tie should sit higher than the wide end, typically around belly button level. However, this is less critical than the positioning of the wide end.
Overlap the wide end beneath the narrow end. Guide the wide end across your torso to the left, passing it underneath the narrow end.
- Keep the narrow end of the tie stationary throughout the knotting process. Simply hold it steady while manipulating the wide end.
Draw the wide end up toward the neck loop. Position the tip atop the loop, maintaining its position on the left side.
Thread the wide end through the neck loop. Insert the wide end downwards into the loop from above. Pull it through in the same direction it was positioned before, towards the left.
Fold the wide end over the narrow end, moving from left to right. This action conceals the seam on the wide end. The wide end will extend diagonally to your right.
Draw the wide end up through the neck loop. Once more, guide the wide end up towards the neck loop, this time from below. Pull it through.
Thread the wide end downwards through the newly formed loop at the front. The last fold you made has created a horizontal loop at the front of your tie. Insert the wide end through this loop and pull downwards to tighten. Now, the wide end should be positioned in front of the narrow end.
Adjust the knot's position as needed. Pull down on the wide end to tighten it. Shift the front knot upwards towards the base of your collar to secure the tie.
- To create a subtle dimple just below the front knot, gently pinch the sides of the knot as you tighten it.
Mastering the Half Windsor Knot (Formal)
Place the wide end on the right-hand side. Wrap the tie around your neck and let both ends hang in front of you. The wide end should be positioned on the right side of your body, hanging approximately 12 inches (30 cm) lower than the narrow end on the left side.
- The Half Windsor knot is a symmetrical, triangular knot suitable for formal occasions. It's larger than the Four-in-hand knot but less bulky than the Windsor. It pairs well with most neckties and collar types. However, neckties made from thicker fabric may require a spread or wide spread collar with this knot.
Overlap the wide end across the narrow end. Bring the wide end of the tie over to your left side, crossing it over the narrow end.
Wrap the wide end beneath the narrow end. Form a loop around the narrow end and pull the wide end back towards the right side.
- Ensure the underside of the wide end is visible at this stage.
Guide the wide end up to the neck loop. Lift the wide end towards the necktie loop at your collar, maintaining its position on the right side.
Thread the wide end through the loop and towards the left. Insert the wide tip downwards through the loop and pull it across from the left side, crossing beneath the narrow end.
Overlap the wide end across the front of the narrow end. Bring the wide end back across the front and onto the right side.
Draw the wide end up through the neck loop. Fold the wide end upwards through the neck loop once more.
Guide the wide end downwards through the front knot. Use your finger to loosen the front knot, then insert the wide end. Pull it through to rest over the narrow end.
Tug on the wide end to cinch it. Gently compress the front knot while pulling to adjust the knot upwards and create a subtle indentation at the front of your tie.
Helpful Tips
- For optimal appearance, ensure the tip of the tie brushes the top of your belt buckle. It's acceptable if the tie descends to the bottom of the buckle ('Italian style'). If it hangs lower, consider a knot that consumes more fabric (like the Windsor), or opt for a shorter tie. Conversely, if the tie terminates above your belt, opt for a longer tie or experiment with the Pratt knot, which uses less fabric in the knot itself.
- If assisting someone in tying their tie, first tie it on yourself to ensure accurate proportions. Then, before tightening the knot, transfer the tie to their neck.
- To create a dimple, grasp both edges of the top blade and gently pull downwards until the top blade begins to tighten. A slight convex shape should form near the knot. Use your thumb and forefinger to press the bottom of the knot into a V-shape, deepening the convexity into a dimple.
