How to Tie a Tie Like A Style Pro

Business or social, a tie finishes a suit. While some of you may have fond memories of your father teaching you to tie your school tie one balmy morning, for many of us we’ve just been faking it all along. From the clip-on tie to simply leaving it knotted or muddling through as best as you can, maybe your tie game hasn’t been on point for a while now and you want to know how to tie a tie. Or maybe you’re a tie-tying pro, looking for some tweaks and tips to make cool tie knots that catch the eye. Never fear, the experts of the Oliver Wicks team have everything you need to know about ties and tie knots.

The History of Tie Knots for Men

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a quick look at the history of the tie knot. By now, you probably know that a lot of men’s suiting comes from the military - we need only look at the double-breasted suit or khaki pants as classic examples. 

Ties are no different. Deep in the 17th century for the Thirty Years’ War, Louis XIII commissioned uniforms that had a piece of fabric as a necktie. The name was pretty literal - it was needed to close the top of the uniform. Though, it’s clear he thought the style looked suave, too. As the soldiers he was dressing were his Croatian mercenaries, the French called the item ‘La Cravate.’

You might recognize the name as a different neck adornment. Today, ties and cravats are two distinctly separate items. The fluffy cravat fell out of favor, and by the 1920s we see Jesse Langdorf decide to cut the fabric in a completely new way, inventing the modern tie - and the tie knots we know and love, too! As the Art Deco era went into full swing, ties became an important way to show off your personality, hence bold fabrics, colors, and patterns. This continued through the end of the World Wars. 

The 50s saw the skinny tie rocket onto the scene. Despite rumors saying it was only made because tiemakers wanted to use up fabric scraps, they became a nice way to celebrate more tailored suit styles. We briefly saw the Disco Era bring us kipper ties, or ultra-broad ties, that haven’t fared as well in modern fashion. Today, you’ll find a wealth of styles, fabrics, colors, and designs, all perfect for your personality to shine through no matter your mood or destination.

Where did the tie knot styles fit in? As with many things, it starts with royalty and the urge to be fashionable, or to look the part in terms of formality. You’ll notice many of the classic tie knots share names with royal figures, dynasties, or locations, and that’s more-or-less indicative of who popularized them. As with modern fashion, people desperate for the notice of those in power would adopt a style, and so a trend is born!

Are Tie Knots Difficult to Learn?

You’ll likely discover that you’ll pick up the movements quickly, but you’ll then have to practice ‘dressing’ the tie nicely. This can be tricky, and it does take a bit of patience, but you’ll get it… Every tie wearer has been there at some point!

Taking a look at all these fancy-pants names today, plus complicated instructions, can seem overwhelming. Tying a tie any way is a skill, and there are many knots to learn, if you want to. Unless you were a dedicated boy scout, don’t worry if you feel a bit nervous about getting to grips with tie knots. While it may take a bit of time and practice to feel great about them, you’ll have so much space to explore your own style and taste afterward. Plus, of course, full bragging rights!

Is it easier to tie your tie yourself, or for someone else to do it? This is a question stemming from the many debates around tying a bowtie. In both scenarios, it’s often much easier for someone to tie a tie for you than working out how to tie it yourself. It’s often easier to get a symmetrical finish the first time with another pair of hands and without the use of a mirror image. However, relying on someone else means you limit yourself, too. Most men like to be self-reliant, especially in their fashion choices.

Think of it as similar to measuring your sleeve length or other dimensions. The good news is that it isn’t exponentially hard to learn to tie a tie yourself, and even fancy tie knots are a skill anyone can learn.

What Are The Different Types of Tie Knots?

Now that you know more about the tie itself, let’s dive deep into some types of tie knots. Don’t forget, there are many resources to browse and we provide custom suits and expert support. You can reach out to us at custom@oliverwicks.com for any further questions. 

The Four-In-Hand Knot

This is, perhaps, one of the best tie knots for men to learn. It’s mildly asymmetrical, and suits every type of collar and tie. You can wear it daily, for business or pleasure, and it’s easy to learn. In fact, it’s one of the three tie knots mandated by the U.S. Armed Forces, with all serving members required to use it for their service uniforms. It’s somber enough for a funeral, but practical enough for a business meeting.

The Four-in-Hand rose to prominence when it was worn by a club packed with the most fashionable gents around - which is where the name comes from. Don’t worry, you don’t need to have four hands to tie it!

If you just want a simple, respectable tie knot for office or casual use, then feel free to learn the Four-in-Hand and skip the rest!

Windsor Knot

This is sometimes called the Full, or Double, Windsor knot. It’s a large, symmetrical, self-releasing knot that’s easy on the tie fabric, and easy on the eye. While it is named after Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, the style was made popular by his father, King George V. Rumor has it that King George V preferred wide tie knots, going as far as to make thicker ties, and he wanted something meatier than the Four-in-Hand.

This is a great winter knot, and fills in a spread collar beautifully. It’s a great compliment to any man’s formal wardrobe, so it’s worth learning. Some people see it as a vain or fancLearn the Half Windsory knot, but sometimes you need a little fancy. It looks surprisingly good with some formal sports coats. You might want to avoid it with business casual looks, though.

Learn the Windsor Knot

Half Windsor Knot

Do you like the look of the traditional Windsor, but want something sleeker and slightly more modern? Then look no further than the Half Windsor knot, first adopted in the 1950s This is a medium-sized knot that’s simpler to tie than the Windsor, and has a sleeker, more modern profile. It’s still very symmetrical, without winding up too much of the tie, so it’s also a great choice for taller men who like the Windsor knot but find it unbalanced.

The Half Windsor creates a crisp and clean focal point for a suit, so it’s great in business as well as for a night in town. This is one of the two types of tie knots every man should know, with the Four-in-Hand taking the other medal. All in all, the Half Windsor is the ‘daily choice’ for many suit-wearing professionals. 

Learn the Half Windsor

Double Knot (Prince Albert)

While ‘Prince Albert’ has been co-opted by the piercing crowd, this style is timeless. Essentially, it’s the Four-in-Hand with an extra loop. Prince Albert was Queen Victoria’s beloved husband, and the knot is clearly named with him in mind, but there’s no real evidence he wore it! It creates an asymmetrical knot that is very well placed for long ties (or shorter men who want to use up some tie length). 

Learn the Double Knot

Trinity Knot

The Trinity is a great way to graduate your mastery of men’s tie knots to a new level once you’re comfortable with the basics. Unsurprisingly, it’s modeled on the trefoil, or trinity sign. It’s more complex than the classic Windsor and Four-in-Hand knots, so it draws the eye in and makes a subtle statement at formal functions.

The end result is an interesting one indeed. For those familiar with the smooth face of a basic tie knot, the Trinity knot is immediately noticeable, yet subtle enough to look commanding and confident. If you’re looking for a fancy tie knot, but don’t want to invest a ton of energy in learning them all, the Trinity could be perfect for you to add that little bit of mystique to your look. 

Learn the Trinity Knot

Eldredge Knot

The first few times you struggle through this complex (yet stunning) tie knot, you’ll be forgiven for wondering if that should say ‘eldritch’ instead. It’s definitely a step up from the basics of tying a tie, with close to 15 steps, and one of the most intimidating tie knot names, too. It’s a new style, invented in 2007 by Jeffery Eldredge. It’s very different from classic men’s tie knots, using the thinner tie end as the primary driver. You might see it on models for the best suit brands, or someone looking to make a fashion statement.

It makes a nice large knot, and actually creates an effect not unlike a fishtail braid. It’s a gorgeous way to make a statement, but make sure you master the easier knots first.

Learn the Eldredge Knot

These are, of course, far from the only tie knot types out there. There’s at least 20 styles, and likely a lot more, so if you enjoy expressing some personality through your ties, you’ll never get bored. 

How to Choose a Tie Knot

As a true dapper gent, you want to make the right match of tie knot for the occasion - but how do you evaluate that? 

As with our advice regarding the fit of suits, and why suit alterations matter, the idea of proportionality and balance play a role. It all begins with the fit of your suit and how it balances you, as well as the occasion! So forget the color, or style, of the tie and the knot itself, initially. Here are some quick-and-easy guidelines to start with:

• Slim faces and spread collars: You want to deemphasize the narrowness of your face and fill the wide collar. Wider, bolder knots work great.
• Wider faces and tight collars: Obviously, the reverse. You want to create the illusion of a slimmer line, so a narrower, simpler knot.

Next, move to the function. When you’re out on the town, you can do as you please. For the office, you typically want a comfortable, functional, and simple knot, probably a balanced, narrow or medium-width and somewhat symmetrica knotl. You wouldn’t typically use a wide or skinny tie. Larger, crisper knot styles with a touch of embellishment are best for formal eventing, and to create personality.

Now you can consider the tie itself. Knots look different depending on the fabric and style of the tie, so you want a good match.

There is a bit of deduction in finding the right knot for you, your collar, your occasion, and your style, and then to match the knot to the right type of tie (or vice versa). 

Remember, you can’t go wrong with a neatly presented Half-Windsor, or Four-in-Hand for professional use. . The Windsor and Double Knot make a great secondary pairing for more variety. We’d advise against wearing the Trinity or Eldredge knots in formal work environments - They’re just a bit too flashy, and it may come off that you’re trying too hard.

How to Tie a Tie for a Tuxedo

We see this question asked a lot: What type of tie knot should you use for a tux? The answer is, none at all! Remember, a tuxedo works with a black-tie dress code, and you need a bow tie for that. It’s not like the shirt cuff debate, whether to wear suspenders or a belt, or even the pleated pants argument which has more room for style. You would only pair a tuxedo and a tie for some more out-there fashion looks, but if you’re reading an Oliver Wicks article, it’s probably safe to assume that you favor traditional styling and gentleman-like etiquette.

What is a Tie Dimple?

The tie dimple is that little ‘pinch’ under the bulk of the knot. It makes a nonchalant vibe to the look, as well as letting the fabric cascade and show off a little. Adding a great dimple is a bit of an art form for the snappy dresser. When you see a gentlemen displaying a perfectly put together dimple, you can think to yourself “This guy knows the tie game exceptionally well!”.

Before Tying Your Tie…

With these easy tips on tying your tie, you can set yourself up for success all-around. Remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. Learn to tie the two basic tie knots well (Four-in-Hand and Half-Windsor), and then you can move on to the fun stuff as you feel comfortable. We’d argue that these are the two ‘must-knows’, but beyond that, you can go as far into the tie world as you wish, or you can stop there. Let us know your favorite tie knot!

We hope you have found the tie and the Fit That Suits You. If you’re after a practical guide, with instructional videos, we’d suggest creating an account on our site (free of charge, with no purchase obligations). Here you’ll be able to access our measurement videos, which walk you through every step of measuring in an easy-to-follow process that can have you measured from head to toe in 15-minutes or less. To learn more, check out the links in this article for in-depth resources on sizing and measurements from Oliver Wicks.

Top Tip - Practice your chosen tie knot in advance… Don’t leave it to the morning of your wedding day, or job interview!