A tie is a thin piece of fabric that is knotted around the neck, normally worn for formal events like dates, weddings, marriages and so on. Eventually, it snuck itself into informal dressing to be a form of fashion statement by young guys or teenagers. Surprisingly it even has a lot of different knots that it can be tied into.
There are several good types of tie knots which are primarily made to be worn for different occasions with different styles of dressing. Though some look as if they could go with any fashion whatsoever, others are rather more limited to the type or style of dressing. Here are a few types of tie knots.
1. Four-in-Hand Knot
This a famous and simple knot. It is quick to do and very effective in matching all kinds of collar dressings. It is a bit asymmetrical. Although it fits with any collar, it is not advised for formal settings. To tie a four-in-hand knot:
- Begin with the small end of the tie on the left and the wide end on the right. Make the tip of the small end above your belly button, though this may vary with the height and thickness of the tie. Only move the wide end.
- Place the wide end over the small end on the left side.
- Go under the small end then to the right.
- Over the front to the left.
- Take it to the neck loop from the under.
- Then down through the loop at the front you created.
- To fit the knot, pull down on the wide end and slide it up to adjust it.
2. Prat Knot
It is similar to the Windsor knot; it is also called the Shelby knot and it goes the shirt that the collar is open. It should neither be too thick nor thin and it is advisable to start with the seams facing out. To tie a prat knot:
- Begin with the small end of the tie on the left and the wide end on the right. Make the tip of the small end above your belly button, though this may vary with the height and thickness of the tie. Only move the wide end.
- Place the wide end over the small end on the left side.
- Go up towards the center then to the neck loop.
- Then through the neck loop and take it to the left
- Over the small end towards the right.
- Take it to the neck loop from the under.
- Then down through the loop at the front you created.
- To fit the knot, pull down on the wide end and slide it up to adjust it.
3. Half Windsor Knot
Also known as the single Windsor knot. It has a triangular outlook which appears neat. It resembles the Windsor knot but is not as thick and less difficult to knot with smaller steps. Though it goes with the same dressings as Windsor, it is not asymmetrical. It is bigger than the four-in-hand knot and Prat but is smaller than the Windsor knot. To tie a half-Windsor tie.
- Begin with the small end of the tie on the left and the wide end on the right. Make the tip of the small end above your belly button, though this may vary with the height and thickness of the tie. Only move the wide end.
- Place the wide end over the small end on the left side.
- Go under the small end then to the right.
- Go up towards the center then to the neck loop.
- Then through the neck loop and take it to the left
- Over the front towards the right.
- Take it to the neck loop from the under.
- Then down through the loop at the front you created.
- To fit the knot, pull down on the wide end and slide it up to adjust it.
4. Bow Tie Knot
This is one of the most essential types of ties that is used mostly in formal occasions like weddings. To tie a bow tie knot:
- Place the bow tie around your neck with the seams facing down and the left end shorter than the right end.
- Carry the longer right end of the bowtie over the short left end, making an x.
- Loop the longer right end behind the x, then pull tight and leave it on your shoulder.
- Arrange the shorter end right and left to make the shape of a bow.
- Use your hand to hold the bow and bring the longer end downward going across the middle of the bow
- Bring the longer end backwards to the chest and then hold the fold that was made.
- Push it through the loop at the back of the shorter end to create two wings.
- Drag the bow loops at the back of the wings to tighten it.
- Then make sure the bow is symmetrical, if not adjust it.
- Make sure it lies flat horizontally
5. Windsor Knot
It is also known as the double Windsor. This tie knot is in the shape of a symmetrical triangle and usually matches a French collar shirt or open collar shirt. This knot is perfect for elegant occasions. It is also knotted best with long ties. To tie a Windsor knot:
- Begin with the small end of the tie on the left and the wide end on the right. Make the tip of the small end above your belly button, though this may vary with the height and thickness of the tie. Only move the wide end.
- Place the wide end over the small end on the left side.
- Loop from underneath up to the neck.
- Go down to the left.
- Then go around the back of the small end to the right.
- Go towards the centre up, then towards the neck loop.
- Go through the neck loop and down towards the right.
- Over the front to the left.
- Towards the neck loop from the under.
- Go down to the loop created in the front.
- To fit the knot, pull down on the wide end and slide it up to adjust it.
Every knot has a different function and different style is portrays. Do not try wearing one for the other. Go through and pick the best for which event you have to attend.
