How to Tie a Windsor Knot

From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion

Knowing how to tie a Windsor knot can be helpful for the man who wants options in tying his neckties. While some men think that a tie is simply a tie, others know that there are varied ways to knot a tie to produce different looks, depending on the occasion as well as the shirt worn. Many men rely on one or two basic styles. If you're particularly interested in fashion, knowing the difference between tie styles is important.

The Windsor Knot

The Windsor knot is distinguishable from the half-Windsor in size. The half-Windsor is not actually half the size of a Windsor knot, but it is smaller. The Windsor works best with wide spread collar shirts. Its look is traditional and produces a wide triangular knot at the neck. While there exists some debate on where this tie shape got its name (whether it was after the Duke of Windsor or his grandfather, Edward VII), it's generally believed that it derived from the way the Duke of Windsor preferred his ties to be worn. Instead of the classic four-in-hand knot, which is narrower in shape, Edward VIII preferred a larger knot. As a result, he requested that his ties be made in a thicker material to produce this more substantial shape. The Windsor knot is typically worn on more formal occasions.

Instructions on How to Tie a Windsor Knot

If you're ready to try your hand at a new tie style, follow these instructions to produce a Windsor knot worthy of admiration:

Drape your tie around your neck, with the wide end on your right. The narrow end, on your left, should be much shorter than the wide end.
Bring the wide end of your tie over the narrow end, close to your neck.
Carry the wide end up through the formed loop and bring it to your left.
Now bring the wide end behind the narrow end toward your right.
Bring the wide end through the middle of the formed loop, carrying it from the right side to the left.
Now bring the wide end around the front of your tie, from the left to the right side.
Bring the wide end through the back of your loop, from the right to the center.
Use your finger to hold the front of the knot loose; bring the wide end down through the loop in the front.
Take your finger out and tighten the knot.
Hold onto the narrow end and pull the knot firmly up to your collar.

If you've never tied a Windsor knot before, following these instructions will probably take quite a bit of practice before you master the perfect knot. Look in a mirror and take your time with each step. The wrong time to practice is five minutes before leaving for your formal function when you've never attempted it before! With practice, you'll soon have the knack for tying a Windsor knot that a Duke would admire.

Following Fashions

If you follow men's fashion trends, you'll notice that tie styles come in and out of vogue, just as with various women's fashions. Sometimes, skinny ties are in; at other times, men are advised to avoid them like the plague. A great deal of how you wear your ties depends on how much you follow trends.

Many men wear one basic tie style their entire lives, either because they prefer it or because they're not interested in learning how to tie other knots. They have no use for learning how to tie a Windsor knot and that suits them just fine. The Windsor sometimes appears too fussy and contrived to certain men, and so they avoid it.

For other men, who often have formal events to attend, or who simply like appearing well dressed for every occasion, being knowledgeable about different knot styles is important. They'll know that longer ties are best for achieving enviable Windsor knots. They'll also know that their knots should be symmetrical and that Windsor knots are made to call attention to themselves, as well as to the man stylish enough to wear them..

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