How to Tie a Tie

by:
Bird Dog Bay
/

For all connoisseurs reading this feel free to skip straight to the next page, these tips and tricks are for all the beginners that were never taught how to tie a tie or simply relied on mothers and significant others to do the dirty work. But then again, if you really were an expert at knotting ties then you probably wouldn’t be reading this. Don’t worry we here at Bird Dog Bay won’t tell a soul.

Windsor Knot

A wide triangular knot usually worn for formal occasions.

  1. Wipe away the sweat beads on the forehead and relax, this isn’t rocket science and yes, you will most likely make it to work on time.
  2. Find a mirror and stand in front of it with a smile on your face (ok so you don’t need a smile but it is preferred).
  3. Start with the wide end of the Bird Dog Bay tie on your right and have it extend about a foot below the narrow end (you don’t need to take out the ruler, just eyeball it)
  4. Cross the wide end over the narrow end
  5. Bring the wide end up through the loop between the collar and your tie, then back down
  6. Bring the wide end across the front from right to left
  7. Pull the wide end up through the loop again
  8. Bring the wide end down through the knot in front
  9. Using both hands, tighten the knot carefully and draw it up snug to the collar.
  10. Congratulations! You have finished a Windsor Knot. Now look in the mirror and wink because you are good looking in the Bird Dog Bay tie ole boy.

Half Windsor Knot

A medium triangular knot that is considered to be more formal than the four-in-hand.

  1. A simpler, more modest version of the full Windsor, this knot will still have heads turning
  2. Find a mirror and stand in front of it
  3. The wide end should extend about 12 inches below the narrow end
  4. Cross the wide end over the narrow end
  5. Bring the wide end around and behind the narrow end
  6. Bring the wide end up
  7. Pull the wide end through the loop
  8. Bring the wide end around front, over the narrow end from right to left
  9. Bring the wide end up and through the loop
  10. Bring the wide end down through the knot front
  11. Using both hands, tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar
  12. Yes, you can wink again if you must.

Four in Hand Knot

The most popular of the knots and easiest to learn, the knot is long and straight but just a little lopsided.

  1. Stand in front of the mirror
  2. Start with the wide end of the tie on your right and again extending about a foot below the narrow end
  3. Cross the wide end over the narrow end
  4. Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end
  5. Continue by bringing the wide end back over in front of the narrow end again
  6. Pull the wide end up and through the loop around your neck
  7. Hold the front of the knot loosely with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front know
  8. Remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot up.

Pratt Knot

A semi-wide knot.

  1. Stand in front of the mirror
  2. Start with the tie inside out, the wide end under the narrow end
  3. Take the wide end over and under the narrow end
  4. Pull the loop down and tighten
  5. Take the wide end over to the right
  6. Pull the wide end up, behind the loop
  7. Bring the wide end through the knot and tighten gently.