4 Ways To Tie A Tie Every Man Should Know

If there was something important to be learned from school assemblies, it would be the knowledge at tying a tie. First thought of as a nuisance, the rule grew on me, and I soon appreciated the formality that wearing one lent to an otherwise mediocre morning ceremony. It gave a sense of power and class. There were even numerous times where I kept it at the neck for the entire schooling day, eventhough I was allowed to remove it as soon as assembly was over.

However, I have unfortunately forgotten even the most basic of techniques after I hit the college-going age. I can blame the lax dress code or the complete lack of need to wear one, but I know that tie-tying is a skill essential to any male.

Thankfully, I stumbled upon a great article while trawling the Internet. Below are the 4 classic knots that everyone should know, which are the four-in-hand, half windsor, windsor and shelby. All credits go to Brett McKay of The Art Of Manliness. For the full article, go here.

Four-In-Hand Tie Knot

"Also known as the “schoolboy,” this is probably the most widely used tie knot because it’s so easy to tie. It’s a good tie knot to use if your tie is made of heavier material. It looks best with smaller spread collars.

1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.

2. Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.

3. Continue wrapping the wide end around the narrow end by bringing it across the front of the narrow end again.

4. Pull the wide end up and through the back of the loop.

5. Hold the front of the tie knot with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front knot.

6. Tighten the knot carefully to the gills by holding the narrow end N and sliding the knot up. Center the knot."

Half Windsor Tie Knot

"This is the Windsor Tie knot’s little brother. Like the Windsor, you’re left with a symmetrical triangle tie knot, but the Half Windsor is not as large. This tie knot is appropriate for lighter fabrics and wider ties. It’s best worn with a standard collar.

1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.

2. Bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end.

3. Bring the wide end up and pull it down through the hole between your collar and tie.

4. Bring the wide end around the front, over the narrow end from right to left.

5. Bring the wide end up back through the loop again.

6. Pull the wide end down through the knot in front.

7. Tighten the necktie knot and center it with both hands."

Windsor Tie Knot

"The Windsor necktie knot gives you a wide triangular tie knot that’s good for more formal settings. This tie knot is best worn with a wide spread collar.

1. Drape the tie around your neck. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie. Cross the wide part of the tie over the narrow end.

2. Bring the wide end of the tie up through the hole between your collar and the tie. Then pull it down toward the front.

3. Bring the wide end behind the narrow end and to the right.

4. Pull the wide end back through the loop again. You should have a triangle now where the necktie knot will be.

5. Wrap the wide end around the triangle by pulling the wide end from right to left.

6. Bring the wide end up through the loop a third time.

7. Pull the wide end through the knot in front.

8. Tighten the knot and center it with both hands."

Shelby Knot

"The Shelby knot is a more obscure knot and was popularized by anchorman Don Shelby in the 1970′s. It works best with wider ties that are made from heavier material.

1. Start with the tie draped inside out around your neck, wide end on the right.

2. Bring the wide end under the narrow end.

3. Bring the wide end up and pull it down through the loop between your neck and your tie. After you pull the wide end all the way through, bring it to the left.

4. Bring the wide end over the knot to the right.

5. Pull the wide end up through the loop between your neck and your tie.

6. Thread the wide end through the knot and pull tight. Center as needed."