To Tie A Tie: A Guide to the Perfect Knot

There is a lot more to tying your tie than the school knot you were taught on you first nervous day at middle school, you have the plain knot, the cross knot, the double knot, the double cross knot along with the Windsor and half Windsor. From a young man buying his first suit for a family hatches, matches and dispatches to the company executive the right knot tied correctly can make a big impression. Below are some things you should consider before tying your tie;

How long should your tie be?

Your tie should reach to the point where the wider part of the tie ends near the centre of your belt buckle (If your trousers have belt loops please wear a belt) taller men, men with large necks and men that like a large knot like a double windsor should consider longer length ties (60 inches plus).

Which tie knot for which dress shirt?

It is the aim to tie your tie so that the tie knot fills most of the gap at your collar. Shirts with a wider collar spread should be matched with a wider and more triangular tie knot. The full Windsor knot, also called double Windsor tie knot, is the best choice here.

Large or small tie knots?

The size of the knot depends to the most part of the type of shirt you are wearing. Another factor on which size knot is most fashionable depends on the current fashion trends. In the 90s knots were small and narrow. Today wider and thicker necktie knots are in style. Finally the type of tie has some to do with the size of the knot. Traditional British are better suited for traditional tie knots such as the Four in Hand, while modern Italian silk ties look best with larger tie knots.

What tie knot for what style of necktie?

For most ties, the full, or double Windsor tie knot, looks best. For skinny ties a narrower knot is a more stylish choice which is often times also slightly loosely tied. Solid colour ties made from a smooth satin silk also look more elegant with a smaller tie knot and a dimple. British ties look great with a Four in Hand knot and with button down collar dress shirts.