The Power of a Tie
Simple and sleek, the tie is the finishing touch to complete every man’s formal outfit. Careful selection of a tie’s pattern, material and tying style can easily elevate any outfit! However, many men would rather purchase a clip-on tie or stick to the one tie-tying style they learnt during their schooling years. While convenient, such efforts simply do not have the same effect as a tie selected based on one’s body and face shape.
Type of Ties
To begin, let’s run through the Must-Know and Classic Tie-tying styles. Read on to find the tie style that could be your perfect fit!
Image Adapted From Zitoc
3 Must-Knows (Four-in-Hand, Half Windsor & Windsor Knot)
#1 Four-In-Hand Knot
Image Credit via Pinterest
The Four-In-Hand Knot is the most commonly used necktie knot due to its simplicity. It creates a conal and asymmetrical knot, which usually turns out small in size.
- Complexity: Simple
- Best Collars: Point, spread, club, tab, pinned
- Suitable For: Thicker ties and those with taller build and Square, Round or Oval faces.
Image Adapted From Otaa
Steps
- Loop the tie around your collar. Leave the thick end on your left, a little lower than the thin end.
- Cross the thick end in front of the thin end.
- Wrap the thick end around behind the thin end.
- Cross the thick end in front of the knot.
- Fold the thick end upward.
- Hold open the knot & Feed the thick end through the loop.
- Pull the thick end all the way through the loop. Tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the thin end with the other.
#2 Half Windsor Knot
Image Credit via Pinterest
Similar to the Four-in-Hand Knot, the Half Windsor Knot is a go-to option for many due to its versatility. The Half Windsor Knot involves a symmetrical triangle knot, smaller than the original Windsor Knot. Since it uses up less of the tie length than the Windsor, it is preferred by those of a taller build when using a tie of standard length.
- Complexity: Somewhat complex
- Best Collars: Spread
- Suitable For: Medium to thick ties, those of a taller build with a standard length tie, and those with Oblong, Diamond, Heart, Triangle or Oval faces.
Image Adapted From Otaa
Steps
- Loop the tie around your collar. Leave the thick end on your left, a little lower than the thin end.
- Cross the thick end in front of the thin end.
- Wrap the thick end around behind the thin end.
- Cross the thick end diagonally over the thin end.
- Pull the thick end behind the knot.
- Bring the thick end across the front of the knot from right to left.
- Turn the tip of the thick end upward.
- Hold open the knot & Feed the thick end through the loop.
- Pull the thick end all the way through the loop. Tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the thin end with the other.
#3 Windsor Knot
Image Credit via Pinterest
The Windsor Knot (also known as a Full or Double Windsor) is the most formal knot style out there. It creates a large, triangular knot that is known for its fullness and powerful look. Although the tying process may seem complicated at first glance, a few attempts will be all you need to master tying this timeless knot.
- Complexity: Complex
- Best Collars: Spread & Cutaway
- Suitable For: Thinner ties, those of taller built with larger neck sizes and those with Oblong, Diamond, Heart, Triangle or Oval faces.
Image Adapted From Otaa
Steps
- Loop the tie around your collar. Leave the thick end on your left, a little lower than the thin end.
- Cross the thick end in front of the thin end.
- Tuck the thick end up beneath the loop.
- Pull the thick end down over the loop.
- Bring the thick end behind the knot from right to left.
- Lift the thick end up over the loop.
- Tuck in the thick end beneath the loop.
- Bring the thick end over the knot from right to left.
- Lift the thick end up beneath the loop.
- Hold open the knot & Feed the thick end through the loop.
- Pull the thick end all the way through the loop. Tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the thin end with the other.
3 Classics (Simple/Oriental Knot, Kelvin Knot, Pratt/Shelby Knot)
#4 Simple (Oriental) Knot
Image Credit via Pinterest
The Simple Knot is another simple knot to tie, only requiring a single loop and pull-through. It creates a small uneven knot that is similar to the Four-in-Hand Knot. Just remember that the tying process begins with the reverse side out.
- Complexity: Simple
- Best Collars: Point, spread, club, tab, pinned
- Suitable For: Thicker ties, and those of taller built, long torsos, of small-frame (whose faces are easily overwhelmed by larger tie knots) or with oval faces.
Image Adapted From Otaa
Steps:
- Loop the tie around your collar with the tie laying reverse-side out. Leave the thick end on your left, a little lower than the thin end.
- Cross the thick end beneath the thin end.
- Pass the thick end across the front of the knot from left to right.
- Tuck the thick end up beneath the loop.
- Hold open the knot & Feed the thick end through the loop.
- Pull the thick end all the way through the loop. Tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the thin end with the other.
#5 Kelvin Knot
Image Credit via Pinterest
The Kelvin Knot is a less commonly used knot that is sure to set you apart from the rest. It starts off the same way as the Simple Knot, with the reverse side out but loops twice around the knot. By doing so, it essentially enlarges the Simple Knot – creating a symmetrical medium-sized knot that gives off a refined or preppy look.
- Complexity: Simple
- Best Collars: Point, spread, club, tab, pinned
- Suitable For: Those with a shorter or smaller frame and want to use a smaller tie knot (needs something to take up some length with their ties).
Image Adapted From Otaa
Steps
- Loop the tie around your collar with the tie laying reverse-side out. Leave the thick end on your left, a little lower than the thin end.
- Cross the thick end beneath the thin end.
- Pass the thick end across the front of the knot from left to right.
- Again, cross the thick end beneath the thin end.
- Again, pass the thick end across the front of the knot from left to right.
- Tuck the thick end up beneath the loop.
- Hold open the knot & Feed the thick end through the loop.
- Pull the thick end all the way through the loop. Tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the thin end with the other.
#6 Pratt (Shelby) Knot
Image Credit via Pinterest
The Pratt (Shelby) Knot is a medium-sized tie knot that can be learned very easily. It creates a symmetrical knot that uses little of the tie’s length, which is sized between the Four-in-Hand Knot and the Half Windsor Knot.
- Complexity: Simple
- Best Collars: Spread
- Suitable For: Short ties and for those with a taller frame
Image Adapted From Otaa
Steps
- Loop the tie around your collar with the tie laying reverse-side out. Leave the thick end on your left, a little lower than the thin end.
- Cross the thick end beneath the thin end.
- Lift the thick end up over the loop.
- Pull the thick end down beneath the loop.
- Pass the thick end across the front of the knot from left to right.
- Tuck the thick end up beneath the loop.
- Hold open the knot & Feed the thick end through the loop.
- Pull the thick end all the way through the loop. Tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the thin end with the other.
Choosing the Right Knot
By tie thickness
When selecting an appropriate tie style based on the tie’s thickness or width, there is a simple principle to follow – opposites attract.
Anapolis Linen Tie Sabara Skinny Silk Tie
Thick ties often require smaller knots like the Four-in-Hand or the Simple (Oriental) Knot. If not, the thickness of the tie will make the knot too big, making it look overly chunky and overpowering (especially for smaller faces).
On the other hand, thin ties are more suitable for larger knots like the Pratt or Windsor Knots. Similarly, the thinness of the tie will make the knot look smaller than its typical size. So, when thin ties are used for smaller tie knots, they tend to become comically small and out of place.
By body shape
When selecting an appropriate tie style based on one’s body shape, it is typically the opposite principle used for tie thickness. Those of smaller stature and frame should tie smaller knots like Four-in-Hand and Simple (Oriental) Knots, whereas men of taller and larger sizes should opt for tie larger knots such as Windsors.
By face shape
Selecting a suitable tie knot according to face shape is largely similar to selecting a suitable pair of glasses.
- Square or Round faces can be paired with conical knots such as the Four-in-Hand and Pratt knots. The shape of these knots lengthens these faces, which are characteristically smaller.
- Inversely, men with Oblong, Diamond, Heart, and Triangle shaped faces are more suited to symmetrical knots such as the Windsor and Half Windsor Knots.
- Oval-faced men, on the other hand, are suited to all the tie styles mentioned, and even more styles out there.
Still, these are only the general principles for finding an appropriate tie knot. The best way to find the ‘perfect’ fit is through experimentation or trial and error. Don’t be afraid to try out all the different styles!
Ties at a Glance
Image Adapted From Zitoc
Of the many different tie styles out there, this guide has honed in on a select few essential styles that every man/woman must know. Now, it’s time for you to use this newfound knowledge the next time you wear a tie – select one that elevates your outfit and sets yourself apart from everyone else!