Have you ever tried to tie a tie but ended up falling apart? Start with these simple guidelines, a good tie, and a mirror and a little patience, and you'll soon become an expert at tying ties. There are several ways to tie a tie. So we give some of the methods here, starting with the easiest.
If you want to help tie someone else's tie, read the guide in the article How to Fit Someone Else's Tie.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Four Finger Tie
Step 1. Wrap the tie around your neck
With the collar lifted and the shirt buttoned perfectly, place the tie around the shoulders. Place the wide end of the tie on the right side, with the smaller end about 30 cm higher on the left.
Tip Avoid flared collars with this little asymmetrical tie.
Step 2. Move the wide end of the tie to the other side
Cross the wide end of the tie over to the left, past the other end. Hold both sides of this tie with your left hand near your neck.
Step 3. Pull the wide end of the tie behind the other end
Release your right hand. Then tuck the wide end of the tie into the other end. Take the wide end of the tie and pull it back to the right side.
Step 4. Twist the wide end of the tie
After this the wide end of the tie should point to your left.
Notes:
The front of the tie should be facing forward again (so the seam is hidden).
Step 5. Move the wide end of the tie to the other end one more time
Tuck the wide end of the tie under it and pull it up through the loop around the neck.
Step 6. Pull the wide end of the tie under the tie around the neck
Pull the wide end of the tie down, "through" the tie at the front of the tie.
Step 7. Tighten the tie by pulling it towards the small end of the tie
Make sure that your tie is straight and of the right length.
- This four-finger tie is slightly asymmetrical at the neck. Don't worry, this is normal.
- Many men with short necks choose this method, because the tie at the top is very small and makes the neck look thinner.
Method 2 of 4: Pratt Bonding
Step 1. Start by laying the tie from the inside out
The wide end of the tie should hang over the right and the small end on the left.
This medium sized tie fits most collar types and body proportions
Step 2. Cross the wide end under the small end
Step 3. Bring the wide end through the knot around the neck
Step 4. Pull the wide end to complete the knot around the neck
Tighten up.
Step 5. Bring the wide end over the small end from left to right
Step 6. Pull the wide end through the knot
Step 7. Bring the wide end down through the knot at the front
Step 8. Form the tie into a triangular shape and pull the small end to secure the tie with the collar
Method 3 of 4: Half Windsor Ties
Step 1. Choose a half Windsor tie as an alternative to the four finger tie in tying a tie
The half Windsor bond is larger, resembles a triangle and is considered to be more distinctive than the four finger tie (but not as distinctive as the full Windsor bond). Most men choose this tie because it doesn't pile up too much when worn.
Step 2. Place the rope around your neck with the wide end on your right side
Adjust so that the length of the strap is about three times the width of the other.
You may need to try this step a few times to get the right length of the tie right. Some people like the length of the wide end of the tie about 12 inches below the other end
Step 3. Cross the wide end with the other end of the tie
Step 4. Bring the wide end of the tie around the neck under the other end
Step 5. Take a wide section around the neck
Tighten up a little.
Step 6. Bring the wide end of the tie through the other end, forward, moving from right to left
Step 7. Slide the wide end through the knot, around your neck
Step 8. Bring the wide end of the tie through the tie at the front
Step 9. Tighten a little and form the knot into a triangular shape
You'll want to make your tie a little wider than the tie in the first method.
Step 10. Tie the tie around the collar by pulling the small end of the tie (which should now be hidden under the wide end)
If your tie has a loop under the wide end of the tie, you may need to slide the small end through the loop to prevent it from sticking out behind the wide end of the tie.
Method 4 of 4: Traditional Windsor Ties
Step 1. Choose traditional Windsor ties as a more formal alternative to half Windsor ties
The Duke of Windsor started this style of tying the tie in the 1930s. This tie tie style is still famous today because it is considered to show an elegant and confident style. This tie is considered more dignified than the four finger tie, but is a little tricky to do. This tie should be worn in conjunction with a wide collared shirt.
Step 2. Place the tie around your neck
One end should be wider than the other. Make sure that the wide end of the tie is on the right side, and about 30 cm lower than the smaller end on the left.
Step 3. Cross the wide end over the small end
Step 4. Bring your tie up through the knot
Step 5. Bring your tie back down
The wide end of the tie should be to the left of the small end.
Step 6. Pull the wide end under the small end towards the right
Step 7. Pull the wide end through the knot, this time on the right side
The wide end of the tie should now be pointing from the inside out.
Step 8. Cross the wide end over the small end again, from right to left
Step 9. Bring the wide end under the tie knot
Step 10. Fold the wide end through the knot of the tie and through the tie at the front of the tie
Step 11. Tighten the knot into a triangular shape using both your hands
Slowly tighten the small end closer to your neck.
For a more modern, casual look, tie the knot a few inches or a few inches below the collar. But for formal events, it's better to use the traditional distance away from the collar
Tips
- Look in the mirror while tying the tie.
- Try several times with different sizes to see which one is right for you.
- There are several different types of tie ties you can make, some of which are more suitable for formal occasions (such as Windsor ties), while others are more casual.
- In general, the wide end of a tie should be twice as long as the small end.
- To make an indentation, grasp both ends of the tie and gently pull it tight. Small indentations should appear close to the bond. Use your thumb and forefinger to press down on the bottom of the tie to form a V and the hollow will deepen.
- Create abbreviations to help you memorize the steps for tying a tie, such as up, down, loop and in.
