How To Tie A Tie – A Step By Step Tutorial
Pratima Ati is a postgraduate in International Business from Staffordshire University. After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, she jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing.
Read full bio of Pratima Ati
Forget men; it’s incredibly smart of women to know how to tie a tie. I also think it’s romantic on so many levels. Imagine your man struggling to tie that perfect knot. You pitch in to help him by not just matching the tie with the outfit and occasion, but also showing him a couple of (fancy) ways to do it. He’s totally gonna crush on you! Functional, yet romantic, huh?
How To Tie A Tie – 8 Different Ways
1.Simple Tie
Simple, Oriental Or Kevin – all of them refer to this knot. As the name goes, it is one of the easiest ways to tie a tie. Some say that it is quite similar to the four-hand knot, but there are minor differences. Again, these are simplest knots to learn and practice, so it’s perfect for beginners.
Step 1
Start with the narrow end on the left and the wide end on the right. The small end should be a little above your belly button. This varies depending on a person’s height, so move the wide end to adjust.
P.S – Before you begin, ensure that the back of the tie is away from your face.
Step 2
Put the wide end under the narrow end that is to the left.
Step 3
Bring it towards the narrow end on the right.
Step 4
Put the end into the loop, from underneath.
Step 5
Now, shove it down through the loop.
Tighten to adjust knot – pull the wide end down and the knot up for a perfect fit.
2.Windsor Or Full Windsor Knot
This knot is from the Victorian times and was known to be the preferred style of the Duke Of Windsor. The difference between the Windsor and Half-Windsor is hardly anything. And, that difference is not even about the style. It has more to do with the fabric of the tie, the suit, and also the body type of the person wearing it. This knot is meant for men with a bigger built and ties with thicker fabric.
Step 1
Start with the narrow end on the left and the wide end on the right. The small end should be a little above your belly button. This varies depending on a person’s height, so move the wide end to adjust.
Step 2
The wide end should go over the narrow end that is to the left.
Step 3
Put this into the neck loop from underneath.
Step 4
Bring it down, towards the left.
Step 5
Move it to the narrow end to the right.
Step 6
Bring it back up to the center, towards the neck loop.
Step 7
Bring it down towards the right, but through the loop.
Step 8
Throw it across to the left side from the front.
Step 9
From underneath, move it back into the neck loop.
Step 10
Pull it down to the front through the loop.
Tighten to adjust knot – pull the wide end down and the knot up for a perfect fit.
3.Half Windsor
Half Windsor is usually meant for thin to medium built men and for fabrics that are a sleek or thin. And, here’s how you tie the Half-Windsor tie.
Step 1
Start by putting the narrow end on the left and the wide end on the right. The small end should be a little above your belly button. This varies depending on a person’s height, so move the wide end to adjust.
Step 2
The wide end should go over the small end that is to the left.
Step 3
Move it to the narrow end and the right.
Step 4
Pull it up to the center, and towards the neck loop.
Step 5
Now through the neck loop, to the left.
Step 6
Move it over to the right across the front.
Step 7
Throw it up from underneath to make a neck loop, as shown.
Step 8
Now, pull it down through the loop at the front.
Tighten to adjust knot – pull the wide end down and the knot up for a perfect fit.
4. Bow Tie
The bow ties look modern and youthful; however, they have been around for centuries now. Except, you can get tiable ones, which are turning out to be popular and hip. They are considered both cool and formal. Here’s how you tie the traditional bow tie.
Step 1
You will need to use a fabric (tie) that is meant for bow ties for a perfect output. One side should be shorter than the other. To avoid confusion, let’s call the left side of the tie as ‘A’ and the right side of it as ‘B’.
Step 2
Start by moving A over to the other side, across B.
Step 3
Through the neck loop, pull A from underneath B.
Step 4
At the conjoining tip, first fold B towards the right, and then to the left. This will create a bow shape.
Step 5
Now, bring the side A down over to the bow that was created using side B.
Step 6
Bend A towards the chest and cinch at the fold.
Step 7
Shove the cinched end through the loop from behind B.
Step 8
Yank both the ends at the same time to tighten the bow.
Step 9
Continue this until the bow is intact and perfect.
Flaunt it and have fun!
5. Double Knot Or Prince Albert
This tie-tying style is known to be popular among men who take a keen interest in their choice of clothing. It’s thick, asymmetrical, and sophisticated.
Step 1
Start with the narrow end on the left and the wide end on the right. The small end should be a little over your belly button. This varies depending on a person’s height, so move the wide end to adjust.
Step 2
Now, the wide end should go over the narrow end that is to the left.
Step 3
Move it to the narrow end and the right.
Step 4
Bring it to the front, towards the left.
Step 5
Now put it under the narrow end to the right.
Step 6
Bring it back to the left from the front.
Step 7
Move it up into the loop, from underneath
Step 8
And now, bring it down through the loop.
Tighten to adjust knot – pull the wide end down and the knot up for a perfect fit.
P.S – If you’ve done this right, you should be able to see a peek of the first loop from the above (second) loop.
6. Four-In-Hand Or School Tie
Oh, we have definitely tried this at least once in our life! Here’s how to tie the Four-In-Hand or School Tie.
Step 1
Start with the narrow end on the left and the wide end to the right. The small end should be a little above your belly button. This varies depending on a person’s height, so move the wide end to adjust.
Step 2
Now, the wide end should go over the small end; that is to the left.
Step 3
Move it to the narrow end and the right.
Step 4
Bring it across to the front, that is, to the left.
Step 5
Shove it up from underneath to make a neck loop, as shown.
Step 6
Now, pull it to the front through the loop.
Tighten to adjust knot – pull the wide end down and the knot up for a perfect fit.
You can hide the narrow end into the tie hide for a perfect finish.
7. Eldredge Or The Fancy Tie
Eldredge or The Fancy Tie is a little different than your other ties, because unlike the other tie knots, this uses the narrow end as the active one, and that is what will keep moving throughout. This is quite a complex one to crack, so be patient and practice before you finally attempt this. Also, remember that a solid color tie will look best for this style.
Step 1
Start from the narrow end to the right and the wide end to the left. Since the narrow end is the active one for this style – the wide end should rest a little above your belly button.
Step 2
Now, the narrow end should go over the wide end that is to the left.
Step 3
Move it to under the wide end towards the right.
Step 4
Now, move it up towards the center and the neck loop.
Step 5
Through the loop, push the narrow end to the left.
Step 6
Move it beyond the front towards the right. And then, pull it into the neck loop from underneath.
Step 7
From left, put it at the wide end and to the right. This loop should be loose.
Step 8
Bring it towards the front, into the loop that you made previously.
Step 9
And now, tighten it by pulling it towards the left.
Move it up to the center towards the loop. Then, move it down to the left side.
Step 10
Move it up to the center towards the loop. Then move it down to the right side. This loop should be loose.
Move the narrow end from the left side to tighten this loop.
Step 11
Beyond the front side towards the left, there will just be a small part of the narrow end remaining, which needs tucking into the neck loop on the left.
Adjust (if needed), and you’re done!
8. Trinity Knot
A stylish and sophisticated addition to the tie family, a fairly recent one also. Another version of the tie that uses the narrow end as the active end. If you can pull this style off, then it is going to say a lot about you without you actually saying anything. Let’s see how this is done.
Step 1
Start from the narrow end at the right and the wide end at the left. Since the narrow end is the active one for this style – the wide end should rest a little above your belly button.
Step 2
Now, the narrow end should go over the wide end, that is to the left.
Step 3
Move it up into the neck loop from below.
Step 4
Bring it down to the left.
Step 5
Move it around the back of the wide end towards the right.
Step 6
Move it up to the center towards the neck loop.
Step 7
Bring it down to the left through the neck loop.
Step 8
Get it beyond the wide end, towards the right. Move it up into the neck loop from underneath.
Step 9
Now, bring it down through the loop from the previous step. Let this loop be loose.
Step 10
You then have to bring the narrow end around the back of the wide end, towards the right side.
Step 11
Pull it towards the front from the center, and through the loop that is created in the preceding step.
Step 12
Tuck the remaining part of the narrow end at the back of the neck loop towards the left.
Give it one last pull, and you’re sorted!
It could be overwhelming to look at and seem like an impossible thing to crack. But trust me, just like anything else it takes a little practice. Trying everything at once might not be a great idea, so, if you’re a beginner – start with one and ace it before you move on to the others. Like we discussed, each of these is used to achieve different looks. You will realize that you have mastered it in no time. Good luck with it. Happy learning, happy tying!
