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Elegant Tie Knots

In the wise words of Oscar Wilde, "A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life." Among the list of skills that every man should know, how to properly tie a necktie is somewhere at the top. While there are many styles and ways to tie a necktie, mastering at least one technique is a skill that will serve a man well throughout his life.

Whether you're a novice or can tie your necktie with your eyes closed, here's a guide to some of the most common styles.

Windsor Knot

The Windsor is a strong looking knot best applied to wider neckties and spread collars. It's suitable for traditional, well-tailored ensembles and gives a very dignified appearance.

  • Have the wider, longer end of your necktie on your right side. Depending on your height and neck size, the narrow end should rest somewhere around your belly button.
  • Cross the wide end on top of the narrow end, going from right to left
  • Loop the wide end beneath the narrow end, pulling it up, through the loop between your tie and collar, going from the bottom up to the front
  • With the wide end now fully through the neck loop, bring it back down towards your left side
  • With the wide end now at your left side, cross the wide end underneath the narrow end, going from left to right
  • The wide end of your tie will now be back at your right side
  • Bring the wide end back up and through the neck loop, going from the front down to the back
  • Pass the wide end fully through the neck loop and pull it back down towards your right side
  • Cross the wide end over the knot you've made, going from right to left
  • Pass the wide end through the bottom of the neck loop, pulling it up at the left side of the knot, which is now covered by your tie
  • Pull the wide end down, making it go through the space between the knot and the portion of the necktie covering it
  • Pull the wide end all the way down, centering and tightening it as needed

Half Windsor Knot

The half Windsor knot is a smaller version of the full Windsor knot and is quicker to do, involving less steps. This knot is appropriate to use for formal occasions.

  • Start with the wider, longer end of your tie on your right side. Depending on your height and neck size, the narrow end should rest somewhere around your belly button.
  • Cross the wide end on top of the narrow end, going from right to left
  • Wrap the wide end beneath the narrow end, from left to right
  • Bring the wide end through the neck loop, going from the front to the back and bringing it back down towards your left side
  • Cross the wide end over the narrow end, from left to right, covering the knot with the tie
  • Bring the wide end back through the neck loop, this time going from the bottom up to the front
  • Pull the wide end down, making it go through the space between the knot and the portion of the necktie covering it
  • Pull the wide end all the way down, centering and tightening it as needed

Four in Hand

The four in hand is a versatile knot that is narrow but not skinny. It's one of the simpler knots to create and unsurprisingly, one of the most frequently used.

  • Start with the wider end of your tie on your right side, making it approximately 10 inches longer than the narrow end
  • Cross the wide end on top of the narrow end, going from right to left
  • Loop the wide end beneath the narrow end, from left to right
  • Cross the wide end on top of the narrow end again, from right to left
  • Bring the wide end through the neck loop, going from the bottom up to the front
  • Pull the wide end down, making it go through the space between the knot and the portion of the necktie covering it
  • Center and tighten your necktie as needed

A well-tied necktie is like a polished armor, ensuring you look armed and ready for whatever lays ahead. And when the day or night comes to an end, there's nothing like the relaxed look of a loosened tie around your neck – something that cannot be pulled off by the uninitiated. Sharpen your necktie tying skills to ensure you have a sharp look for any and all occasions.

Elegant Tie Knots

Source: https://www.hockerty.com/en/blog/how-to-tie-a-necktie