Which tie knot for which occasion & how to tie them

When I was 22 and got my first job that required me to wear a tie everyday, my brother taught me how to tie a Windsor knot, and I pretty much rode that knot for the last 10 years.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to wear a tie less and less, but my appreciation for formal wear has increased by leaps and bounds.  For my wedding for instance, I was scouring the internet for advice on which knot to tie for what sort of collar, and what was appropriate for the most formal day of my life.  I figured it would be a good idea to give you all a break down of all this info, concentrating on the 4 most common knots for a tie, as well as a bow tie, which is currently a huge fashion “do.”

Windsor

Falsely named after the Duke of Windsor, the Windsor knot (also known as the full Windsor or double Windsor) is a wide triangular knot that is usually worn for formal occasions. This type of knot looks best worn with a shirt collar that is considerably cut-away.

How to:

Half-Windsor

If you’re looking for something a little more assertive, try the half-Windsor knot. A medium triangular knot that is worn more formal than the four-in-hand, it can be worn for any occasion (preferably with standard shirt collars) and works best with somewhat wider ties made from light to medium fabrics.

How to:

Four-in-Hand

Also known as a simple knot, the four-in-hand is believed to be the most popular method of tying ties due to its simplicity. The knot dates back to England in the days of the coach-and-four where the men driving the coach knotted their ties in this manner to help prevent them from flapping in the wind. The knot produced by this method is on the narrow side, slightly asymmetric, and appropriate for all occasions. It works best with wide ties made from heavy fabrics and should be worn with a tab, button-down or regular spread collar. It’s a classic knot for any occasion and is most widely used.

How to:

Prince Albert (I know, I know)

A very compact knot, the Prince Albert goes well with shirts with long collars. The best result is achieved with narrow ties made of soft materials. This knot is similar to the four-in-hand, and is helpful for shorter men who find their ties hang too long, or for those who like longer and larger knot.

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Bow Tie

The origin of the bow tie dates to the 17th century when Croatian mercenaries fought in support of Louis XIII against Cardinal Richelieu. As the Croats walked the streets of Paris, their brightly colored scarves caught the attention of the Court. The upper class began wearing creatively tied versions of the scarves around their necks and the bow tie was born.  These are appropriate for all occasion, and either show that you are very hip or very nerdy.  Confidence a must.

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Now, do something debonair!

Source: Brooks Brothers