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How to Tie a Necktie
By Aimee Robinson, Andrew Wignall, Calvin Mikler, Chelsea Bohon, Paul Smith
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Table of Contents Page |v
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
Different Knots for Different Occasions .................................................................... 1
Knots Characteristics ................................................................................................. 1
Windsor .......................................................................................................................... 3
Benefits of the Windsor Knot ..................................................................................... 3
Drawbacks of the Windsor Knot ................................................................................ 3
How to Tie a Windsor Knot ........................................................................................ 4
Half-Windsor ................................................................................................................ 11
Benefits of the Half-Windsor Knot .......................................................................... 11
Drawbacks of the Half-Windsor Knot...................................................................... 11
How to Tie a Half-Windsor Knot ............................................................................. 11
Four-in-Hand ............................................................................................................... 19
Benefits of the Four-in-Hand Knot .......................................................................... 19
Drawbacks of the Four-in-Hand Knot ..................................................................... 19
How to Tie a Four-in-Hand Knot ............................................................................. 19
To Remove the tie ..................................................................................................... 22
Small Knot ................................................................................................................... 27
Benefits of the Small Knot ....................................................................................... 27
Drawbacks of the Small Knot .................................................................................. 27
How to Tie a Small Knot .......................................................................................... 28
To Remove the tie ..................................................................................................... 30
Bow Tie ......................................................................................................................... 33
Benefits to the Bow Tie ............................................................................................ 33
Drawbacks ................................................................................................................ 33
How to Tie a Bow Tie ............................................................................................... 34
Index ............................................................................................................................. 39
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Introduction Page |1
Introduction
Neckties are ever-present in modern society. Ties are normally worn by men in
formal, semi-formal, and informal dress. Since its rise in popularity in the 20th
century, many methods of tying the necktie have been developed. Some knots are
used because of their simplicity for everyday use, and other are used for the finished
appearance.
Different Knots for Different Occasions
Cambridge physicists Thomas Fink and Yong Mao calculated that there are 85
methods for tying a knot in their 1999 book The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie. Although it is
possible to memorize all these permutations, it is far easier to simply learn the most
common knots. The five included here are the Windsor, the half-Windsor, the four-
in-hand, the small knot, and then the bow tie.
Knots Characteristics
Due to differences in methods, knots have several distinguishing characteristics.
Complexity Knot Size Symmetric Self-
Releasing
Windsor High Large Yes Yes
Half-Windsor Moderate Medium No No†
Four-in- Simplest Small No Yes
Hand
Small Knot Simple Small No No
Bow Tie High Medium Yes Yes
†Variations exist for both self-releasing and non-releasing
The first is complexity, or how complicated a knot is. The more steps a tie has, the
more complex it may seem. However, even the most complicated necktie knot is
relatively simple.
The second is knot size. The knot size is determined by the amount of fabric held
inside the knot. The size of the finished knot should complement the size of the
shirt worn with the knot. Sizes are relative, as the tightness of the knot is directly
related to the finished size of the knot.
The third is whether the knot is symmetric. A symmetric knot will be even on both
the left and right side. A symmetrical knot is sometimes preferred due to being
more visually pleasing.
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The fourth is whether a tie is self-releasing. A tie that is self-releasing can be easily
taken off of the neck without having to undo the knot first. If a tie is not self-
releasing, it must be partially or completely untied before removing it.
Windsor
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Windsor Knot Page |3
Windsor
This is perhaps one of the most common types of knots that will be encountered in the
world of ties. It was originally named after Duke Edward VII, grandfather of the Duke of
Windsor.
The Windsor Knot is thick, wide, symmetrical, and triangular. It is used by the British
R.A.F when in uniform and by the Canadian army.
The knot itself is very comfortable to wear and will stay in place indefinitely until loosened.
It is a large knot which can take the attention away from a square, round, or face with
facial hair. It is best worn when presenting and on formal occasions.
Benefits of the Windsor Knot
Comfortable
Symmetrical
Self-Releasing
Drawbacks of the Windsor Knot
One of the most complex ties
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How to Tie a Windsor Knot
1. Situate the tie so that the end "A" is longer than end "B" and cross "A" over "B".
2. Bring “A” up through the loop between the collar and your tie, then back down.
Windsor Knot Page |5
3. Pull "A" underneath "B" and to the left, and back through the loop again.
4. Bring "A" across the front from left to right.
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5. Pull "A" up through the loop again.
6. Bring "A" down through the knot in front.
Windsor Knot Page |7
7. Using both hands, tighten the knot and draw up to collar.
Half-Windsor
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Half-Windsor Knot P a g e | 11
Half-Windsor
The half-Windsor knot is a simplified version of the Windsor knot,
Benefits of the Half-Windsor Knot
The half-Windsor knot is a simplified version of the Windsor knot, and produces a
visually appealing knot.
Drawbacks of the Half-Windsor Knot
It’s not fully formal
It’s not compatible with thick fabrics
How to Tie a Half-Windsor Knot
1. Pull up your shirt collar and place the tie around your neck. Make sure that
the wide end is on your left. Allow the wider end to hang below the narrow
end by about twelve inches. Cross the wide end of the tie in front of the
narrow end.
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2. Wrap the broad end around the narrow end with the broad end of the tie
facing away from you. Now the triangular shape of a half-Windsor knot will
already be formed.
3. Bring the wide end of the tie through the loop around your neck and pull
through. Fold around the triangular shape of the knot and the broad end will
twist slightly as you lay it flat. The wide end will be facing away from you
still.
Half-Windsor Knot P a g e | 13
4. Continue the same pattern by folding the wide end directly in front of the
knot. The wide end should be held in a position perpendicular to the spine.
The wide end will be facing forward again.
5. Bring the wide end up through the loop around your neck and, as you finish
this step, leave some slack in fold. The wide end will be facing away from you
once again.
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6. With the wide end facing forward again, pass it down and through the last
fold that was made in the last step.
7. Pull the wide end until the triangular knot is placed inside the open space at
the collar. Pull the knot up towards your neck until it is in a comfortable
position.
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8. A final inspection should reveal that each end of the tie is close in length.
The label of the tie should not generally be used to secure the smaller blade
although this is a popular practice
Four-in-Hand
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Four-in-Hand P a g e | 19
Four-in-Hand
The four-in-hand tie is the most commonly used tie. It is derived from the four-in-
hand knot, which British carriage men used to tie the reins of their horses together.
The four-in-hand tie should be worn with turned-down collars on a soft dress shirt.
Four-in-hand ties are used in both Western and Non-Western regions of the world.
The four-in-hand tie should be worn for business occasions and the typical nice
dinner.
Benefits of the Four-in-Hand Knot
Professional appearance.
Good for ties made of silk and polyester.
Appropriate for business and nice dinner occasions.
Drawbacks of the Four-in-Hand Knot
Most used tie; no uniqueness.
How to Tie a Four-in-Hand Knot
1. Pull up your shirt collar and place the tie around your neck. Make sure that
the wide end is on your right side. Allow the wider end to hang below the
narrow end by about twelve inches.
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2. Cross the wide end of the tie over the narrow. Cross over, right to left.
3. Cross the wide end under the narrow again and wrap around.
Four-in-Hand P a g e | 21
4. Bring the wide end up through the big loop that is around your neck.
5. After looping the wide end through the big loop around your neck, pull it
down through the small loop.
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6. Gently pull the narrow end while pushing the bottom of the knot gently. This
will move the knot closer to your collar.
To Remove the tie
Pull the knot down the narrow end and it will slide completely off.
Small Knot
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Small Knot P a g e | 27
Small Knot
The small knot is also known as the Oriental Knot, or Kent knot. Although it’s the
easiest way to tie a necktie, the small knot is not very often used. One reason for
this is because unlike the Windsor and Four-in-Hand knots, the small knot can’t be
untangled by simply pulling at the tie. Although similar to the Four-in-Hand knot,
the small knot is more triangular. Also, this knot uses less of the tie, giving the tie
an extra 2-3 inches in length. This makes the small knot particularly good for a
taller person to use.
Benefits of the Small Knot
Easiest knot to tie
Good for ties made of thick fabric and close-cut collars
Appropriate for all occasions
Drawbacks of the Small Knot
Not self-releasing
May be too small to use with a tie made of thin fabric
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How to Tie a Small Knot
1. Pull up your shirt collar and place the tie around your neck. Make sure that
the wide end is on your left side.
2. Twist the wide end of the tie so that the seam is facing outward.
Small Knot P a g e | 29
3. Cross the narrow end of the tie over the wide end.
4. Take the wide end and wrap it across the narrow end of the tie. It should now
be the right way on the outside of the knot.
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5. Place the wide end through the back of the large loop around the neck.
6. Gently pull the narrow end while pushing the bottom of the knot gently. This
will move the knot closer to your collar.
To Remove the tie
1. While holding the knot, pull the free end of the knot around the neck. The tie
will loosen.
2. Pull until the loop around the neck disappears.
3. Untie the knot that remains.
Bow Tie
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Bow Tie P a g e | 33
Bow Tie
The bow tie is an alternative to other standard neckties. The bow tie consists of a
short, tapered ribbon. The bow tie resides directly underneath the neck but does
not extend downward. The bow tie dates back to the 17th century, during the
Prussian wars in France. Although neckties are considerably more popular in
today’s society, the bow tie is a popular alternative to standard neckties.
Bow ties are not adjustable after tying, so it is important to adjust the tie. Most
modern bow ties are adjustable to the size of your neck. Before beginning, it’s
important to adjust the tie to the proper size for your neck.
Benefits to the Bow Tie
Distinctive and uncommon
Used for formal events
Drawbacks
Difficult to learn
Requires a specialty tie.
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How to Tie a Bow Tie
1. Drape the tie over your neck. Hang the left end about 1 inch lower than the
right. Face the seam inwards, so it does not show.
2. Cross the left end over the right end and pull it up through the center.
Bow Tie P a g e | 35
3. Take the short, hanging end and double it over, forming a loop on the right
side. Center the narrow taper on the knot from the previous step.
4. Drape the long end down over the front of the loop
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5. Locate the hole behind the knots. It will be between the loop and the knot.
6. Form a loop with the long draping end, and
push the widest part through the loop found
in the previous step
Bow Tie P a g e | 37
7. Pull the opposite ends of the tie to tighten.
First, pull the front right and back left, then back right and front left.
To remove the bow tie
1) Pull the unlooped ends away from the center. The knot will become undone.
2) Remove tie
Index P a g e | 39
Index
bow tie, 33 benefits, 11
benefits, 33 drawbacks, 11
drawbacks, 33 how to tie, 11
how to tie, 34 knot size, 1
removal, 37 releasing. See self-releasing
characteristics, 1 self-releasing, 1, 2
complexity, 1 small knot, 27
knot size, 1 benefits, 27
self-releasing, 1, 2 drawbacks, 27
symmetric, 1, 2 how to tie, 28
complexity, 1 removing, 30
four-in-hand, 19 symmetric, 1, 2
benefits, 19 Windsor, 3
drawbacks, 19 benefits, 3
how to tie, 19 drawbacks, 3
removing, 22 how to tie, 4
half-Windsor