A necktie is more than just a classy accessory to add to your dressy outfit. It’s also a blank slate that you can style in countless different ways to show off your personality, add some flair to an outfit, or perfect your look for a specific occasion. Learning how to tie a tie in various ways will help you find the best tie knots for all occasions. From serious, formal events to more casual gatherings with friends, knots of different sizes, symmetries, and patterns are the best way to adapt your shirt and tie combo to match any setting. Adding even a few of these knots to your arsenal will help you make sure you’re always dressed your best.
One of the most well-known knot styles, the Windsor is a traditional and distinguished knot used for formal events. It stems from the personal preference of King Edward VIII, who was also the Duke of Windsor, hence the name.
Also known as the Full Windsor or the Double Windsor, this knot is well-balanced and symmetrical. It’s larger than the Four-in-Hand knot, which was particularly stylish at the time the Windsor came into prominence. The Windsor is slightly complicated to tie, but the knot itself is secure enough to keep its place while still being easy to release, making this a reliable and comfortable option for a night out.
Because the Windsor creates a weighty and dignified appearance for your outfit, it is an incredible formal knot option, perfect for serious gatherings and formal business events. However, you might be overdoing it if you wear a Full Windsor with a business casual look.
The Half Windsor originated in the 1950s as a sleek, modern take on the traditional Windsor knot. It’s a medium-sized knot that is easier to tie but still delivers the symmetrical, balanced, and clean look of the Full Windsor. Moreover, the Half Windsor requires less tie length, making it a great option for taller tie wearers who don’t want to end up with an awkwardly short tie length.
The Half Windsor is less formal than the Full Windsor, but it’s still dressier than the Four-in-Hand and other more stylishly casual knots. This makes it great for everyday professional wear and semi-formal ceremonies and gatherings.
Another extremely popular knot that all tie wearers should know is the Four-in-Hand. Fun fact: the Four-in-Hand, along with the Half and Full Windsor knots, make up the three tie knots that US Armed Forces must know and wear.
The Four-in-Hand is easy to learn and requires fewer steps than either Windsor knot. Its small knot and slightly asymmetric design make it a fashionable yet traditional option. This knot balances a practical and respectable look with fun, accessible style. The Four-in-Hand is less formal than Half and Full Windsor knots, but it’s still serious enough for business meetings and semi-formal ceremonies. It’s also a great option for parties, dinner with friends, and other social gatherings.
The Prince Albert, otherwise known as the Double Knot, also gets its name from a British royal: Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. He popularized this variation of the Four-in-Hand knot. Like the Four-in-Hand, the Prince Albert is easy to tie and great for more casual social occasions. The difference between the two is that the Prince Albert adds an extra loop around the knot before passing the end of the tie through the neck loop. The result is a slightly bulkier knot that still delivers the asymmetrical style of the Four-in-Hand.
A less common alternative to the Four-in-Hand is the Kelvin knot. This bulkier, inverted variation is the perfect way to make a standard tie knot stand out. It’s slightly more angular than the Four-in-Hand and brings more substance to the knot itself, making it a sleek focal point for your outfit. However, like the Four-in-Hand, the Kelvin is best suited for social occasions with a less formal dress code.
If you want to learn how to tie a tie knot that works for all occasions, the Pratt is a fantastic option. The Pratt knot—or the Shelby knot, depending on who you’re giving credit to—evokes a level of formality somewhere between the Four-in-Hand and the Half Windsor. It’s a simple and straightforward knot for your daily work outfits, an evening out on the town, a wedding reception, and other similar events.
The Pratt knot is similar in shape to the Windsor and Half Windsor, but it’s less symmetrical, giving it a more modern look and feel. Additionally, the Pratt knot is slightly bigger than the Four-in-Hand, but it doesn’t require too much tie length. This makes it a well-balanced option for taller or broader tie wearers.
The Trinity offers a sophisticated knot pattern that will make your entire outfit stand out. This is a much more complex knot to tie, but the result is a subtle yet stylish design that adds plenty of personality to your look. To tie a Trinity knot, you must use the skinny end of the tie and loop it over the knot multiple times. This creates a patterned knot that boasts three equal parts. It’s a classy fashion statement that is well worth the effort of learning.
Keep in mind that the Trinity knot is slightly larger than a Full Windsor, so it works better with a spread collar. Additionally, the added flair of the triangular proportions makes it ideal for more fun, celebratory occasions like weddings or semi-formal parties.
Looking for something even more intricate than the Trinity knot? Try your hand at the Eldredge, an exquisitely layered knot that presents a strong fashion statement. Like the Trinity, this knot consists of the narrow portion of the tie, allowing for the finer lines that make up the elegant, layered look of the knot. The Eldredge knot is asymmetrical and bold, making it perfect for adding a bit of pizazz to your outfit. This knot is a bit too flashy for more serious gatherings, but if you want to stand out at parties, weddings, and social events, the Eldredge is a fun knot to master.
Large, symmetrical, and weighty, the Balthus knot is a strong choice for a formal outfit. The Balthus adds a layer to the Full Windsor knot, making it a broad and substantial knot for the top of your outfit. Because of its size and conical shape, it works best with a wide spread collar. You also want to use a longer tie so that you have enough material to work with and avoid making the tie length too short.
The Balthus is fancy for the sake of being fancy. If you ever find yourself dressing to the nines, the Balthus knot is a great way to add some fun and flair to your outfit. It’s particularly suitable for occasions like fine dining, a night out at the theater, and ballroom dancing.
No matter what you’re dressing up for, DAZI is here to help you look your best. Check out our colorful and creative range of suit ties for sale when you visit us online today.
