How do I tie a tie?

The first type of tie configuration is a Pratt Knot.  It is tidy and somewhat wide, though not as wide as a Windsor knot.  This knot works for any button down shirt and even with ties made of lighter fabrics.  Start with the necktie inside out, the seaming facing away from you.  Wide side on the right should be about a foot longer than the narrow side on the left. Cross the wide end under the narrow end.  Pass the wide end over and under the narrow end.  Pull the resulting loop down and then tighten.  Move the wide end back towards the right. Bring that wide end back up behind the loop, then through it.  Finally, tighten it up!


The Four in Hand knot is a bit more discreet and narrow than the Pratt Knot.  It is also slightly asymmetrical and suited for neckties of a heavier fabric.  It is sometimes preferred by those with shorter necks as its form stretches things out a bit, elongating that region.  Start with the wide side of the tie on the right, narrow on the left, about a foot above the wide side.  Seams are to be facing toward your body. Cross the wide end to the left, over the narrow end.  Wrap the wide end under the narrow and back toward the right side. Once again, bring the wide side to the left, over the narrow.  Bring the wide end up and through the loop at your neck.  Holding the knot loosely with your index finger, bring the wide end down through the knot itself.  Remove your finger and gently tighten the knot by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot upwards toward your neck.  That's it!

The Windsor knot is a wider, triangular, thick knot that works well with spread collar shirts.  It is a very confident knot that you might wish to use for presentations and the like.  This look also shortens the perception of the neck for those with longer throats.  Again, start with the wide side on the right, the narrow on the left, twelve inches above the starting point for the wide end.  Cross the wide over the narrow and then bring it up through the loop near your collar.  Bring the wide side back down again, slightly to the left.  Pull the wide end back underneath the narrow to the right.  Then it's back through the loop and to the right again so it's inside out with the seams facing outward.  Bring that wide end across the front from right to left.  Up through the loop again the wide end goes!  Bring the wide end through the actual knot.  Then, using both hands, tighten up your knot and bring it towards your collar.  Complicated but it looks good!

Lastly, the half Windsor is simpler than the full Windsor and looks good with any dress shirt.  This one works well with wider ties of light to medium weight fabrics.  Start with the tie seams toward your body.  The wide side should be on the right, the narrow on the left, twelve inches above the wide end.  Cross wide over narrow.  Then bring the wide end around and behind the narrow side. Bring the wide end up toward your face, then back through the loop at your neck, then down toward the right.  The seams will be facing out at this point.  Bring the wide side to the left again, over the narrow side.   Once again, bring the wide end up and through the loop near your neck.  Lastly, bring that wide end down through the knot itself, and then tighten. Voila! 

With a little practice and patience, you can master any of these tie tying techniques and look like a pro!