How to tie your tie | Tillman Style

How to tie your tie. It doesn’t matter how often you wear a tailored suit. The fact is that every man should know how to tie a tie. Especially those who have a preference for looking elegant and sophisticated when dressing. And it’s that making a tie knot isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s why today I will show you 18 types of knots that you should know. Each one of them can be perfect for a certain occasion.

After all, not all tie knots are the same. In fact, each one can vary according to its symmetry, size, and shape. Of course, not everyone knows this, but don’t worry. Here I am to teach you how to make every single one. All you have to do is practice and become an expert.

How to tie a tie knot?

Through my years of experience, I have seen how many gentlemen ruin their own style, just by wearing a tailored suit with a poorly knotted tie. You have likely gone through this because you didn’t know how to tie a tie. However, this must stop now.

Another very common case is that many men turn to a family member or friend to help them tie their ties. Of course, you won’t always have someone to do this for you. That’s why you should be ready when wearing a tailored suit. This way, you will always dress well and stay according to each occasion.

Similarly, you should know that every tie knot has its purpose. For example, knots like the Windsor or Pratt are perfect for robust faces since they’re wide knots. On the other hand, if you want to give an elegant touch to your outfit, a Kelvin or Victoria knot is usually the most suitable.

Next, I will show you 18 types of tie knots that will get you out of trouble the next time you have to wear a tailored men’s suit:

1. Four in hand knot

The 4 in hand knot is characterized by being a little asymmetrical in the neck, and it is one of the main ones when wearing an elegant tie. To make it, you just have to follow these steps:

Start with the widest end of the tie to the right, and the smaller end to the left.
This small end should go above your belly button, which will vary according to your height, thickness, and the length of your tie. Besides, you just have to place the wide end on top of the small end to the left.
Then, cross the wide end under the small end, and to the right.
Again, cross the wide end across your neck but this time up.
Slide down, and inside the tummy.
To finish, tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end. Followed by that, slide the knot up to adjust it.

2. Half Windsor Knot

This knot is very versatile, and being a medium knot it’s about three-quarters the size of the traditional Windsor tie knot. It works best on medium to lightweight ties. Here are the steps to make it:

To start, take the wide end of your tie to the right, leaving the small end on the left.
The remaining tip of the small end should be resting lightly above your navel. This will change according to the height, length, and width of your tie. In this case, you only have to move the active end, which in this case is the widest.
The wide end should go over the small end and to the left.
Then go under the small end to the right.
This way you will reach the center, specifically towards the turn of the neck.
Following that, it should go through the neck loop to the left side.
Follow to the other side of the front, and the right, until you reach the neck loop below.
You will notice at the bottom that you have created a loop to the front.
Just tighten the knot with a downward pull on the wider end.
Lastly, slide the knot up to tighten.

3. Full Windsor Knot

This name originates from the Duke of Windsor, and although he never used this knot, it contributed to the appearance of a knot characterized by being triangular and wide. Besides, even if there are several derivatives of the Windsor knot, this symmetrical triangular knot is made in the following way:

You should start with the wide end of the tie facing to the right, while the smaller end should go toward the left.
Also, the tip of the smaller end should rest lightly on your belly button. As you know, this will vary depending on your height and the thickness and length of the tie. Therefore, you should only move the end of the wide part.
This wide end should be moved over the small end to the left, to the neck loop from the bottom left.
Then go around the back of the small end to the right.
You should continue through the center, specifically towards the turn of the neck.
Pull through the neck loop to the bottom right, and the front on the left.
Followed by that, go up from under the loop of the neck part.
Then under and through the loop you just created at the front.
To finish this knot, tighten the knot by pulling it down on the wide end, and sliding the knot up to adjust it accordingly.

4. Nicky knot

In general, this type of knot doesn’t usually appear in the most popular tie knot listings. However, it has a great advantage as it’s an easy tie knot. Besides, you can also make it with any type of tie. If this knot catches your eye, follow these steps to do it perfectly:

To start, the tie should be backward, and while the smaller end goes to the left, the wider end should be on the right.
Make a small cross by placing the small end of the tie over the wide end.
Then take the wide end and thread it through the hole in the tie.
And to conclude with this knot you should just turn to the left, to again pass the wide end side through the hole in the tie.
The widest part of the tie should be pulled down to adjust it, and so that it stays well placed on the shirt collar.

5. Bow tie

If you have a wedding or a very formal event, a bow tie will become your best ally. Here’s how to make it for a formal event:

To start, hold the bun upside down, and adjust it so that the right side is shorter than the left side.
Move the left end over the right end to the right.
Then thread the left end under the right end up, and through the neck loop.
Cross it, folding the right end to the right, and then to the left to create a spread.
Bring the left end down into the middle of the crease created with the right end.
Fold the left end towards the chest from behind, and then pinch the fold.
Proceed to push the pinched end of the left end, and pass it through the neck loop behind the right end.
Lastly, pull the parts that have been folded into the folds to tighten enough, and adjust until both sides look completely balanced.

6. Kelvin knot

This type of knot is known as an extension of the simple tie knot and is characterized by producing an agile knot with a size similar to that of a four in hand. Next, I will give you the instructions so that this type of knot looks perfect on your tie:

Unlike other knots, this one should start at the back of the tie facing outward, with the wide end to the right and the small end to the left.
Also, the tip of the smaller end should rest slightly above your belly button, which may vary depending on your height, length, and girth. The point is that you should only move the active end or the wide end.
The wide end should move under the small end to the left, and through the smaller end to the right.
Then under the small end to the right until you reach the neck loop from the bottom. That is, through the loop you just made in the front.
To finish this tie knot, pull down on the wide end to tighten, and slide the knot up to tighten.

7. Eastern knot

This knot is also known as a simple knot since it’s very easy to learn. As its name implies, it’s more popular in the eastern part than in the western part. However, since it’s an easy tie, everyone can make it. It usually works very well on thick ties or tall men, and here’s how to make it:

The top of the tie should be facing out, with the wide end to the right and the small end to the left.
As for the tip of the small end, it should rest above your belly button, and you should only be moving the active end, that is, the wide side.
The wide end should go under the smaller end to the left.
then through this small end but to the right, until you reach the neck loop from below.
Pass the tie through the loop you made in the front.
Pull the wider end down so you can squeeze. And slide the knot up so you can adjust it

8. Pratt knot

Jerry Pratt works for the United States Chamber of Commerce. His characteristic way of tying his tie got a lot of attention. Thus, creating this elegant know which bears his name. This elegant tie knot can bring a lot of elegance, and these are the steps you must follow to make it perfect for you:

To start, the back of the tie should be facing forward, the wide end to the right, and the small end to the left.
This tip of the small end should rest above your belly button, depending on your height, and the length and thickness of the tie. You only have to move the wide end.
This should go under the small end to the left and reach the center, specifically towards the turn of the neck.
Then through the neck loop to the bottom left, through the small end to the right.
Reach the neck loop from below, through the loop you created in front.
Tighten the knot by simply pulling down on the wider end, then slide the knot up to tighten.

9. San Andres Knot

The San Andreas knot, although not as famous as the Windsor or other tie knots, is very easy to do and looks very elegant with a well-tailored suit. This is the best way to tie this knot:

To start, the small end should be at waist height and the tie should be backward.
The wide end of the tie should go under the small end, to the left.
Then the wide end should go all the way around the small end.
The wide end should go inside the knot to the right side. Once this step is done, the wide end should cover the knot that has already been created, to the left.
When capping it, the wide end should go under into the knot again.
Finally, it’s important to tighten by pulling the wide end. This way we will have our San Andrés knot ready.

10. Balthus Knot

This knot has its origins in 1930 by a Polish-French modern artist, Balthasar Klossowski. The particularity of this knot is that it’s large, even larger than the Windsor knot. Besides, it’s very conical and if you know how to do it correctly it will look great. Here’s how:

The back of your tie should be facing forward, with the wide end to the right and the small end to the left.
Pass the wide end under the smaller end to the left.
Go all the way to the center, specifically towards the neck loop.
Go through the neck loop and down to the right, all the way through the center and into the neck loop.
Then through the neck loop go down to the left until you reach the center of the neck loop.
Through the neck loop go down to the right.
Go down to the front of the small end to the right.
Then go up below the loop created on the neck.
Finish down and through the loop you made in front.
Pull at the bottom of the wide end to be able to tighten.
Finally, slide the knot up to adjust.

11. Hanover knot

This type of knot tie has become a larger version of the Windsor, as the knot is thicker. Also, it turns out to be very elegant. Here’s how to create it:

You start with the tie backward, leaving the wide end on the right above your navel and the small end on the left.
The wide end of the tie should cross under the small end, on the left.
The wide end should be crossed again but now to the right to get the first part of the knot.
Now release the wide end of the tie and run up behind it. That is, between the knot and its neck.
Pull the wide end pointing down to complete the first part of the loop.
Then, cross the wide end of the tie behind the small end, to the right.
The wide end should now be pulled up to create the weave. Drop it, and hold it again to pull it down to the left.
Pin the wide end to make it the top of the knot you’ve been forming, you need to pull it through to cross over to the right again.
The wide end should be tucked under the loop and then pulled up from the inside of your neck.
To finish the knot, pass the wide end of the tie through its loop and down. It should be hanging.
Pull slightly so you can adjust the interlacing.

12. Plattsburgh Knot

This knot is symmetrical and differs from others by having a broad cone shape and a narrow opening. And to do so, you just have to follow the following instructions:

Place the tie around your neck so that the wide end is longer than the small end. We then proceed to cross the wide end under the small end on the left.
Then, bring the wide end up and insert it through the loop formed in the tie, and pull it down so that it appears towards the left side.
Again, bring the wide end up and feed it through the tie loop.
Once this end is passed through the tie, it should be pulled out the right side and should be on the back of the tie.
Now, stop the wide end above the small end, and bring it from your left to your right.
Insert the wide end through the inside of the loop and slide up.
To finish, place the wide end through the middle of the knot you formed earlier. Keep the small end and gently pull on the wide end to adjust the tie.

13. Granchester Knot

Most people believe that the name of this type of tie comes from a town in England, as a tribute. Regardless, the point is that this knot is very large and has a great similarity to the Windsor although it’s a little shorter in height. This is the ideal way to tie this type of knot:

The wide end is used to tie this Grantchester knot, which should hang a further 30cm below your desired final position.
Cross the wide end under the small end on the right, to form an “X” below the chin.
Wrap the wide end through the front of the small end, going horizontally from right to left.
Keep wrapping the wide end around, now crossing from left to right just behind the small end to make a full loop.
Now, keep wrapping the wide end around the small end and do a second lap from the front right to left.
Slide the thick end through the loop, and around its neck below it.
Twist the wide end down in front of the tie knot, and now wrap this end behind the front of the knot, crossing from left to right.
Bring the wide end through the loop, around its neck, and under it.
Pull the wide end down through the horizontal band made in the previous step.
Finally, attach both ends and pull the wide end all the way to fit it properly.

14. Victory knot

This knot is often widely used because it’s very charismatic, and is also known as the Prince Albert knot. Besides, it stands out from others because your first twist should be right at the bottom of the knot. And to make it look good, the secret is to tighten it just enough so that it looks polished and slim. Here’s the right way to do it:

To start this knot, its wide end should be on the right, while the smaller end should be on the left. The small end should rest above your navel, and you should only move the wide end, which in this case will be the active end.
This end should go over the small end to the left, and then under the small end to the right.
It should be done through the front and to the left, specifically up to the neck loop, from below.
Then go under through both neck loops, but at the front.
To finish, tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end, then slide the knot up and tighten as it should be.
The first look must be below the second loop.

15. Brown knot

Tillman - How to tie This knot was often used among café patrons at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s worth noting that this knot is very elegant and I highly recommend it to my clients, especially those who like to stand out when wearing a tailored suit.

Here are the instructions for tying a brown tie knot:

Place the tie around your neck, ensuring that the wide end is on the left side. 5cm under what you want the tie to hang when the knot is ready. Therefore, the small end should be on the right side.
Cross the small end over the top of the wide end to form an “X” just below your chin. This way, you’re going to bring the small end up through the loop you just made.
Flip the small end over the top of the tie knot, and then bring this end behind the knot from left to right, which will turn your seam to the outside.
Then, fold the small end over to bring it back to the front of the knot, to the left.
The small end should go behind the knot and up through the loop and around the neck.
Flip the small end over to the front of the knot, that way, it will remain hanging and pointing down.
Move the small end to the wide end on the left, then fold around the knot as you go from left to right to create a diagonal line.
Following that, bring the small end up in front of the knot and then loop it around your neck and behind the rest of the knot to emerge on the left side of the wide end.
Pull the small end down to place the center of the knot and check that the diagonal lines are at the same angle.
Now move the wide end of the tie by flipping it forward and up.
Twist the small end up to slide it through the horizontal loop, using the back of the knot. Pull the small end back through the loop to tighten it.
Flip both ends of the tie down. Here, you will see how the front of the knot can be seen with its paired ends. For the knot to hold, you must tighten it very carefully.

16. Old tie knot

The old tie knot is a classic among classics, and one of its strengths is its simplicity.

To do it, you just have to follow the following steps:

To start, spread out the tie and cross the wide end over the narrow end to the left.
Then fold the wide end up to pass it over the small end. To keep the tie firm, you can help yourself with your index finger by placing it over the knot.
Then tighten the knot by simply pulling on the wide end.

17. Trinity knot

Tillman - How to tie This knot has only recently become known, and both the small end and the active end are used for its making and must be pulled hard at the end.

Similarly, this type of knot is larger than the Windsor knot, which achieves great impact. And to do so you just have to follow these steps:

Start with the wide end of the tie to the left, and the small end to the right. Similarly, this point of the left end should rest on top of your belt buckle, so you should only move the smaller active end.
This end should go over the wide end to the left, to the neck loop part down to the left.
Go around the back of the wide end to the right.
This way it will reach the center, specifically towards the back of the neck.
To do this, pass through the loop located on the neck, to the left.
Cross the wide end to the right side, until you reach the neck loop from the bottom.
To go down, it must be through the loop you created in the previous step.
You want to stay loose, to bring the smaller end around the next part of the wide end, and to the right.
Bring this end across the front and into the center and through the loop you created in the previous step.
Then, squeeze the rest of the small end behind the neck loop on the left side.

18. Christian knot

Although there are a wide variety of tie knots, the Christian knot is very particular, and best of all, it’s very easy to do:

To start, grab the back of the tie so it’s facing you. Then, cross the wide end under the thin end to the left.
Then, cross the active end up and followed by it to the left.
Slide the wide part of your tie between the shirt collar and its narrow part up.
To give it its shape, pull the wide end towards the tie knot.
This time around, pass it through the inside of the knot and then center it to adjust it.

What’s your favorite tie knot?

Tillman - pink shirt Regardless of whether you like a thick tie knot or the easiest ones to make, it’s good to have this guide in hand. This way, you will be able to make the tie knot of your choice and make it the best complement to your tailored suit.

As for tailored suits, in my workshop, I have the pleasure of having professionals who can assist you if you need a men’s suit for a wedding, another important event, or simply to go to the office. All of them full of style to make you stand out from the rest.

A step-by-step guide on how to tie your tie