HOW TO TIE A TIE (KNOT KIDDING AROUND)

You might think this couldn’t possibly be for you but guess what: there’s more than one way to tie a tie!
Knowing how to tie a tie has become something of a lost art, with over 30% of guys admitting they don’t know how to tie a necktie. Whether you were raised by a single mother or had a dad who preferred sweats, it’s never too late to become someone who doesn’t have to fake the refined look of a tie well tied.. Despite the rise of casual attire in and out of the workplace, there are still times when knowing to tie a tie comes in handy. We will expertly walk you through the three most popular ways to tie a tie—you can thank us the next time you’re invited to a formal event.
The Half-Windsor
Considered one of the most popular knots, the Half-Windsor is super versatile and can be worn with pretty much any dress shirt. It’s symmetrical and triangular and works best with somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics. Unlike what the name suggests, the Half-Windsor is actually closer to 3/4 the size of a traditional Windsor knot. It’s tough to go “wrong” with this knot, and if we had to give it a difficulty rating, we’d give it a 3/5. To tie the Half-Windsor knot, select your favorite necktie (as long as it’s not super skinny!), stand in front of a mirror, and follow these steps:
- Begin with the wide end of the tie on your right side and the narrow end on your left side (the narrow end should sit just above your belly button)
- Cross the wide end over the narrow end
- Loop the wide end under the small end (to your right side)
- Bring the wide end up and over the neck loop
- Bring the wide end down through the neck loop, then to the left
- Bring the wide end across your chest (or, to your right-hand side)
- Bring the wide end up through the inside of the loop around your neck
- Bring the wide end down through the front loop you’ve just created
- Tighten the knot by pulling down on the large end, adjusting as necessary
The Four-In-Hand
Contrary to the Half-Windsor, the Four-In-Hand is the perfect knot for skinny and medium-width ties. Some guys refer to this as the simple knot–it’s among the easiest knots to master since it’s naturally asymmetrical. Since it’s “crooked” by nature, it takes a lot of effort to make it look bad. Named after a 19th-century gentleman’s club of the same name, its popularity stems from its simplicity and versatility. Ranked a 2/5 on the difficulty scale, it’s the perfect place for first-timers to start. If you only learn one knot from this list, make it this one. Here are some tying instructions:
- Start with the wide end of the tie on the right side and the narrow end on the left.
- Place the wide end over the narrow end (to your left-hand side)
- Loop the wide end under the narrow end (to your right-hand side)
- Loop the wide end across your chest (over the narrow end)
- Bring the wide end up through the inside of the loop around your neck
- Bring the wide end down through the front loop you’ve just created
- Tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end, adjusting as necessary
The Full Windsor
Also referred to as the Windsor or double Windsor, the Full Windsor is classic, traditional, and conveys power, confidence, and authority. Ideal for very important business meetings and formal events (think: presidential debates), the Full Windsor is a fairly enormous knot, especially when compared to the Four-In-Hand and Half-Windsor. It’s also the fanciest knot on this list and should be reserved for more formal occasions. Although you can technically wear it to less formal events, there’s a catch: it requires a tie that’s about a foot longer than normal and one that’s pretty thick, too. Here’s how to tie a Full Windsor knot:
- Start with the wide end of the tie on the right and the small end on the left (for the Full Windsor, you’ll only be moving the wide end; the small end should remain stationary)
- Place the wide end over the small end
- Bring the wide end up through the inside loop around your neck
- Bring the wide end down to your left side
- Loop the wide end around the back of the small end
- Bring the wide end down over the front of the neck loop
- Bring the wide end down through the inside of the loop around your neck, then to your right-hand side
- Bring the wide end across your chest, over the small end
- Bring the wide end through the neck loop from underneath
- Bring the wide end down through the front loop you’ve just made
- Tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end, adjusting as necessary
It All Starts with a Quality Tie
Whether you prefer the Half-Windsor, Full-Windsor, Four-In-Hand, or any other knot that’s not included on this list, you can’t properly tie a tie without first owning one. Sure, you probably have a collection of ties you’ve received as birthday presents throughout the years, but every man deserves at least one high-quality tie in his collection. At Johnnie-O, we specialize in West Coast prep for men and boys, and our collection of preppy ties are perfect for weddings, cocktail parties, and business meetings. Just pair with a button-down and a blazer for the ultimate West Coast prep getup. Plus, they come in handy boxes making them the perfect gift for grads, dads, or just about anyone who likes to look sharp.