A nice tie is one of man’s ultimate fashion accessory. It’s the perfect complement to any outfit whether you’re rocking jeans, a button-up shirt with rolled up sleeves, or a three-piece suit complete with pocket square. Knowing how to tie a tie in different ways gives you an edge in looking your best at any given time. The style and elegance of a tie are important, but the different knots can be a little tricky to execute, so sometimes people decide to skip a tie based on the occasion.
Here’s a secret: just focus on tie style and knot size, and you’ll be just fine. The knot size is an essential factor in judging how your necktie looks. Some people think it’s enough just to know a few ways to tie a knot but think how classy and advanced your fashion sense can be compared to other individuals when you can “tie” it all together.
How To Tie A Tie | Necktie Fashion Essentials
1. Four In Hand Knot
Also known as the schoolboy knot, the Four in Hand knot is a little narrow and works with any shirt. Ideally, the tip of the tie should be in line with the belt buckle. This is one of the simplest ways to tie a tie and one of the most common knots as well.
2. Half Windsor Knot
The Half Windsor Knot is one of the popular ways to work a tie. It’s symmetrical in shape, and slightly more formal in nature. This knot works well with a medium-spread collar. Just like the first one, this knot is one of the simplest and most common ways to tie a tie.
3. Full Windsor Knot
The Full Windsor Knot creates a great full symmetrical knot and looks really nice when tied correctly. To do it, make sure you have about three or four inches of the short end of the tie in your left hand. You only need this short length in the left hand because the rest of the tie is required to make the knot.
4. Nicky Knot
This knot’s name is derived from the Middle East tie maker named Nicky. It starts with the slimmer end on your right hand and the wider end on your left. The slim end should be about a hand and a half above your waistband.
5. Bow Tie
Wearing a bow tie is rare these days, but it’s just as formal (and dapper) as a necktie. The tie is initially draped over your neck, making one end slightly longer than the other. It will be a challenge the first time you do it but it gets easier as you keep on practicing.
6. Kelvin Knot
After a new tie knot? Try ‘The Kelvin’ from the fabulous @Pandjstudio with a @WingfieldDigby silk tie. Only £55! https://t.co/PbA7vGJkoU pic.twitter.com/nmpOEOk5zf
— WingfieldDigby (@WingfieldDigby) April 20, 2017
The Kelvin Knot has more volume and a slightly different look in terms of size. It begins with the sewn portion facing away from you, with the slim end about one and a half hands above your waistband. A thinner tie is recommended for this knot.
7. Oriental Knot
The Oriental knot is the easiest, smallest, and one of the most popular tie knots in Asia. The wide end should be much longer than the slim end, usually a hand above the trousers to tie this knot. It works best with a classic or medium spread collar.
8. Pratt Knot
#gentleman #bespoke #madetomeasure #ErmenegildoZegna #Turnbull&Asser #Brioni #Prattknot gqmexico danilocarnevale da… pic.twitter.com/kMQfT6c9SE
— Tailored Suits (@custom_suit) February 26, 2015
This is also known as the Shelby Knot. The Pratt Knot was first worn during World War II but became popular only after it was introduced in 1986 by the local news anchor Don Shelby. This knot is tied seam side up with the slimmer end on your right and the wider end on the left.
9. St. Andrew Knot
The St Andrew Knot is a medium-size knot and relatively easy to tie that works well with business and social events. Tying the knot requires the outside of the tie facing towards you. Many people think this knot looks better than the half or full Windsor.
10. Balthus Knot
Balthus knot with a bit of Christmas cheer. #KnotOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/u9ELn5Rl
— Luke M. Vaillancourt (@lukeMV) December 16, 2012
The Balthus Knot is one of the biggest knots you can tie, which works best if you have a wide-spread collar. To tie this knot, the narrow end should rest much higher than most traditional knots.
11. Hanover Knot
This large knot is similar to the classic full Windsor. The Hanover knot works best with a full-spread collar, especially for bigger men. The bottom of the necktie should rest between the top and the middle of your belt line.
12. Plattsburgh Knot
The Plattsburgh knot was invented by Thomas Fink and is one of the easiest ways to tie a knot. It stays pretty well, and you don’t have to keep adjusting your tie throughout the day. This knot is a great choice for large men.
13. Grantchester Knot
Necktie knot of the week 👔: Grantchester Knot #knot44 #85waystotieatie pic.twitter.com/VAeB4ToxMJ
— Joshua Jensen (@JoshuaFJensen) May 28, 2017
The Grantchester knot looks more like the Four-in-Hand with the size of the Full Windsor. This knot uses a lot of fabric, which is ideal for the full spread collar. If you want to wear a tie for business and social settings, the Grantchester knot is great for you.
14. Victoria Knot
Find out why I went with the #classic #VictoriaKnot today. ⤴ in bio. #mensties #mensclothe… https://t.co/lSnXFQavjp pic.twitter.com/k20YOpQqzn
— TiedUpinSydney (@TiedUpinSydney) February 13, 2017
This knot is a simple four-in-hand just looped around once more. The Victoria knot has a half loop more in it so it looks bigger. For this reason, this knot is not suited for classic collars so wide spread collars are recommended.
15. Cafe Knot
The Cafe Knot is one of the more difficult ways to tie a tie. It’s a medium-sized knot, and it’s a bit more complicated compared to the traditional ways of tying a knot. It looks flashy and works great with medium spread collars.
16. Eldredge Tie Knot
How to Tie an Eldredge Necktie Knot https://t.co/t1ZY4YxFzD pic.twitter.com/JIY26V0uIE
— Laughing Squid (@LaughingSquid) October 19, 2016
The Eldredge Tie Knot is an advanced way to work your necktie. This knot doesn’t work well with striped neckties, so it’s recommended you use ties with a solid color. Use this knot with medium or full spread collars.
17. Trinity Knot
The Trinity Knot is great for casual occasions. It’s a medium sized knot and casual by nature. This knot is suitable for striped neckties, giving it more style and contrast which makes it stand out.
18. Christensen Knot
Knot Of The Day: The Christensen https://t.co/euXcyi53EL #StyleTip #Menswear pic.twitter.com/nZWZDhNp4q
— Bows-N-Ties.com (@BowsNTies) June 3, 2016
The Christensen knot is also known as the cross knot. It can be a medium or a large-sized knot, ideal for a full spread collar. It’s stylish and casual by nature, but not too flashy.
Here’s an infographic we’ve created on 18 Ways to Tie A Tie
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Watch this video and learn how to tie a necktie in 3 ways!
Whether you’re dressing for work or a special occasion, a nice-looking, skillfully knotted tie helps you stand out from the crowd. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns which make you look sharp and stylish, especially if you know the many ways to work it. Add more flavor to your style with these different ways to tie your tie!
Do you find these ways of working your tie a cool thing to learn? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Featured Image Via – Gilbert R./visualhunt
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