5 ways to knot ties for beginners

5 ways to knot ties for beginners. Make a quick note of this: a tie speaks volumes of a gentleman’s character. It’s a subliminal message of his personal care and his attention to detail. But, somehow it’s also proof of power. Don’t you want to learn how to channel your inner power?

When it comes to neckwear for gents, nothing gets more classic than a tie. However, you should know that a bad knot can jeopardize the treatment you receive from others. Even if it’s in a potential business relationship, a casual approach, or even a date. Furthermore, this response happens on a subconscious level, so you may be signaling all the wrong vibes without even intending to do so. Why? As I told you before it’s a subliminal message that summarizes our attention to detail.

If you’re still in doubt, take a firm look at almost every President in America’s History. It seems like the path to the Oval Office is tied to a “full Windsor knot”. On the other hand, the way to go in a respectable Wall Street business meeting is a “half Windsor knot”, better known as “The four-in-hand”. In Tillman Style, we take care of those tiny little details that can make or break a man’s looks. I know that each style delivers a different message. This also happens with suits, shirt collars, and so on. That’s why I have put together this easy and quick guide, enriched with many useful tips, where you’ll discover that there are tie knots for tall, short, big, and skinny guys. I’m going to show you 5 ways to tie a necktie, starting with the quickest and easiest, the Simple or Oriental Knot.

The Oriental Knot:

1. First, drape the tie around your collar with the seam facing inward. The thick end facing your left, two or three inches less than your required finishing position.
2. Then, bring the thick end horizontally across the front of the narrow end, then pass it back horizontally behind the narrow end.
3. After, pass the thick end again across the front of the knot from left to right.
4. Now, pass the thick end again behind the knot horizontally from right to left.
5. Pass the thick end again across the front of the knot from left to right. Slip a finger under this third horizontal loop.
6. Bring the tip of the thick end to find yourself underneath the loop around your collar and feed it up behind the knot, down over the front of the knot, and through that third horizontal loop.
7. Pull the thick end through the horizontal loop you’ve just made in the front
8. Adjust the tie by holding the knot in one hand and pulling gently on the narrow end with the other.
9. Finally, you’ve learned the easiest way to knot a tie. However, are you now ready for a challenge?

The Four-In-Hand Knot

1. Start with the wide end of the tie on the right and the small end on the left. loop the tie around your collar. Thick end on the left, 3-4 inches less than the skinny end.
2. Cross the thick end ahead of the skinny end.
3. Then, wrap the thick end around behind the skinny end and cross horizontally from right to left.
4. Bring the thick end horizontally across the front of the knot from right to left. Slip a finger beneath this horizontal band.
5. After, turn the tip of the thick end upward and in, sliding it beneath the loop around your neck.
6. Feed the thick end down through the loop you’ve held open together with your finger.
7. Now, pull the thick end all the way through the loop and comfortable the knot down tightly.
8. Finally, tighten the knot by holding it gently in one hand and tugging on the skinny end with the opposite.

British horsemen are alleged to invent The four-in-hand knot. This tie scarf was used by them to fix the reins of a 4-horse shot. The four-in-hand knot is perhaps the most well-known and one of the easiest knots. However, it’s not quite suitable for very formal occasions. This knot requires less of the tie’s length, making it an excellent choice for tall men trying to tie a daily length tie. The narrower shape is ideal for narrow-spread collars and button-down collar dress shirts.

Half Windsor Knot

1. Drape the necktie around your collar with the wide end on your right hanging down to your thigh and the thin end on the left at about your rib cage.
2. Cross the wide end in front of the thin end from right to left, making an X-shape below your chin.
3. Then, loop the wide end of the tie horizontally around and behind the thin end.
4. Take the wide end over from the top and through the opening of the X and pull tight.
5. Hold the wide end with your right hand and wrap it in front of the thin end, from your right to your left.
6. Now, keeping the triangle intact with your left hand, bring the wide end towards your chest and from behind the loop, pass it over the X.
7. Using the index finger of your left hand, open up the triangle that has now formed over the X and pull the wide end all the way through.
8. To adjust the length, pull the knot up towards your collar while pulling the thin end of the tie downwards. You may need to adjust the horizontal loop to make sure it’s flat and even.

Along with the Four-In-Hand knot, the Half Windsor is an extremely versatile knot, and most suitable for men that are just beginning to learn how to tie a tie. This knot is the perfect choice for formal occasions and celebrations, and it should be worn with a wide-collared shirt.  Because the half Windsor requires less of the tie’s length than the larger Windsor knot, it is also an excellent choice for big and tall men trying to wear a regular length tie.

Full Windsor Knot or Double Windsor Knot:

1. Drape the necktie around your collar with the wide end on the right hanging 4-6 inches lower than your waistband.
2. Now, cross the wide end horizontally in front of the slim end, making an X-shape just below your chin.
3. Tuck the wide end up and beneath the loop around your neck, coming out point-upward behind the X. Use one finger to hold the X in place.
4. Pull the wide end all the way down.
5. Bring the wide end around behind the knot and pass it horizontally from right to left.
6. Flip the wide end tip upward and tug it diagonally across the front of the knot.
7. Loop the wide end over the top of the loop around your collar and bring it back down. It should emerge on the left of the thin end.
8. Bring the wide end horizontally across the front of the knot, from left to right. This forms a horizontal band. Tuck a finger through it and hold it in place.
9. Bring the wide end underneath the loop one more time, around the collar with the tip aiming upward.
10. Turn the wide end downward and slide the tip through the horizontal loop you saved with your finger in step 8.
11. Pull the wide end all the way down and smooth out any creases or slack in the knot.

When I’m asked how to tie a tie, the Full Windsor Knot is always mentioned. Also known as the Double Windsor, the Full Windsor has a large, triangular symmetric shape and is perfect for widespread collars, and on men with a large neck. Additional tie length is required for the Windsor knot because of the two wrappings. Tall men with a larger neck size will need a tie that measures between 61 – 64 inches.

Bow Tie Knot:

1. Start with the bow tie draped around your neck with the seams facing down and the right side longer than the left.
2. Place the right end over the left end, making an X-shape just below the chin.
3. Loop the longer end behind the ‘X’ to create a simple knot similar to the first knot while tying shoelaces. Pull tight and leave the longer end resting on your shoulder.
4. Placing your index finger on the widest part of the curve of the shorter end, fold it to create a bow shape. Place the folded tip across your collar with the shorter end as close to your neck as possible.
5. Holding the bow created above with the forefinger and thumb of your left hand, bring the longer end straight down over the shorter end in the middle of the bow.
6. Using your right hand, fold the longer end back towards the chest, pinch the fold and double the tip over to make a wing.
7. Tuck the folded tip of the longer end behind the folded tip of the shorter end and through the small loop, you formed when you first passed it up behind the knot.
8. With the wings in place, tug the loops behind them to tighten the vertical front knot.
9. Hold the front of the knot down with one finger, and wriggle the wings until they’re symmetrical.
10. Make final adjustments. Ensure your bow tie lies flat and horizontal against your collarbone. You’re done! Now you know how to tie a tie and how to tie a bow tie.

Whether it’s for business or a social occasion certain ensembles always look better with a tie. With these five options, you won’t need to ask for help from your friends or the neighbor in desperate times. Now suit up and amaze people with your style.