How to tie a tie

Melinda Norris

Pratt Knot Four in Hand Knot

Half Windsor Windsor

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There are several different ways to tie a tie. The first that I will show you is the Pratt knot, which is also known as the Shelby Knot, is tidy and fairly wide, but not quite as wide as the Windsor Knot. It is well suited for any dress shirt and somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics.

Second is the Four in Hand knot, which makes for a narrow, more discreet and slightly asymmetrical tie knot. It is best suited for a standard button-down dress shirt and works best with wide neckties made from heavy fabrics.

Third is the Half Windsor which is a modest version of the Windsor Knot. It is a symmetrical and triangular tie knot that you can use with any dress shirt. It works best with somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics

Last is the Full Windsor which is a thick, wide and triangular tie knot that projects confidence. It would therefore be your knot of choice for presentations, job interviews, courtroom appearances etc. It is best suited for spread collar shirts and it's actually quite easy to do.

For all four of these knots, choose a tie that suits you and the occasion, then stand in front of a mirror. Also, you will always start with the tie inside out, with the wide end on the right and about twelve inches below the narrow end, which is on the left.

All, except for the Pratt knot, require you to start by crossing the wide end over the narrow end. Only the Pratt requires that you start by crossing the wide end under the narrow.

The pictures in this tutorial are mirror images and should be exactly what you see when you stand in front of the mirror.

This is the Pratt knot:

Start with the necktie inside out, with the wide end on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end on the left.

Then cross the wide end under the narrow end.

Take the wide end over and under the narrow end.

Pull the loop down and tighten.

Then, take the wide end over to the right.

Pull the wide end up, behind the loop.

And finally, bring the wide end through the knot and tighten gently.

This is the Four in Hand knot:

Start with the wide end of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end on the left.

Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.

Continue by bringing the wide end back over in front of the narrow end again.

Then, pull the wide end up and through the loop around your neck.

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

At last, remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot up.

Now for the Half Windsor:

Start with the wide end of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end on the left.

Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end.

Then bring the wide end up.

Pull the wide end through the loop and to the right.

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

Again, bring the wide end up and through the loop.

Then, bring the wide end down through the knot in front.

And -- using both hands -- tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.

Finally, here’s the Full Windsor:

Start with the wide end of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end on the left.

Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Bring the wide end up through the loop between the collar and your tie.

Then bring the wide end back down.

Pull the wide end underneath the narrow end and to the right, back through the loop and to the right again so that the wide end is inside out.

Bring the wide end across the front from right to left.

Then pull the wide end up through the loop again.

Bring the wide end down through the knot in front.

And -- using both hands -- tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.

Videos

• Pratt knot

• Four in hand knot

• Half Windsor

• Windsor

Resources

• www.tie-a-tie.net

• www.youtube.com