How to Tie a Tie

At some point in a man's life, he'll want to know how to tie a tie. Whether he gleans the information from his father, other elder male relative, friend or simply wings it, chances are he hasn't read the directions on paper. After all, it's not a lesson taught in school! For anyone who has ever wanted to truly understand how a tie is tied, look no further. Men and women alike can benefit from this useful information!

A tie is an essential in a man's wardrobe.

Let's face it: Not every man needs to wear a tie. There are jobs that simply don't require them. Casual environments are much less inclined to deem ties necessary. Young men who've never worn school uniforms likely won't find themselves in the position of tying a tie until they're quite a bit older – those clip-on ties sure come in handy when you're a child! And it's certainly not unusual for the first major tie experience to occur on the date of a major occasion, such as a homecoming dance or prom night, a job or college entrance interview or a fancy party that requires dressy attire.

In other cases, ties are necessary. You'll probably never see a high-flying businessman, such as a lawyer or Wall Street professional, without it (at least not in work-related environments). Students who wear school uniforms are usually required to wear them, too, and high school students will undoubtedly want to know how to tie a tie -- as opposed to clipping a tie on! Ties are the ideal way to pull an outfit together and give it a polished, clean-cut finish.

Before beginning, it's important to note that there are several different types of knots. Knotting experts agree that each knot has its own merits, but the basic knot, also known as the four-in-hand knot, is considered the most popular. Other knots include the Pratt, Windsor, Half Windsor, Kelvin, Oriental and St. Andrew, just to name a few.

Since it's the most common, let's start with the four-in-hand knot. Considered appropriate for any occasion thanks to its clean, simple look, the four-in-hand is best produced with a tie made from a heavy fabric. In simple terms, here is how to achieve this knot:

• Place the necktie around your collar. Bring the wider end about a foot below the slender end and cross it over.
• Wrap the wide end underneath and then back around the front of the slender end.
• Bring the wide end up and pull it through the back of the loop at the top.
• Hold the knot loosely and bring the wide end all the way down through the loop, pulling cleanly. Finish by centering the knot.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Prince Albert knot. This knot is more compact and is best produced using a slender tie constructed of soft fabric.

• Drape the necktie around your collar. Wrap the wider end of the tie over the slender end, behind it, back over it again and then around the back once more.
• Pull the wide end behind the knot on top and through the loop.
• Follow by pulling the wide end over the tie's outer layer.

It goes without saying that the small knot is discreet. Ideal for ties made of thicker materials, this knot is relatively simple to learn. Its only "tricky" maneuver is in the first step, so cross that hurdle and you'll be well on your way to the perfect small knot!

• Place the necktie around your collar. Twist the wide end so that the seam of the tie shows (essentially, you're showing the back of the tie).
• Pull the slender end over this twisted wider end. Then pull the wide end over the slender end.
• Bring the wide end underneath the knot and pull it through to the front.
• Then pass the wide end beneath the tie's outer layer and pull through.

For the tie-tying novice, written directions cannot take the place of an actual live depiction. However, if there are no tie experts around to walk you through the process and you want something to supplement the written tutorials here, take a peek at these helpful resources. You'll find picture tutorials that give you a visual aid to rely on in addition to the text.

• Brooks Brothers
• NeckTies.com

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