Sunday, March 22, 2009

How To Tie Your Tie

Knowing how to tie a necktie or how to tie a bow tie is all well and good, but unless you know when to apply your knot knowledge, then you are nearly as bad off as the poor fellow who does not even own a tie.

Some tie knots look better under certain conditions than others. Before you know how to tie your tie, you need to know what you have. Decide on the following three things, which are what tie, what shirt, and what look you want. If you have a run of the mill discount rack dress shirt, chances are that it has a pretty standard opening at the collar. Especially, if the collar does not button down, consider using the half Windsor or Four in H1and knots.

If the collar does button, then you might be able to get away with a slightly larger knot, such as those used for shirts with a wider spread at the collar. These shirts usually get labeled as designer shirts, but if you are lucky enough to find one on the discount rack, then it does not matter. The knots to use for wide spread shirt collars are the Windsor, Hanover, and St. Andrew knots. Even if the collar does not button down, then you will look classy.

Tie material is just as important as collar construction. Knowing when to knot your tie in what way depends on the ties length and the material's heft. Extra thick material needs knots such as the Oriental Knot or the St. Andrew Knot. Thinner tie material dictates a Half Windsor or Victoria Knot. Those two knots also work for short ties, but the Four in Hand or Pratt Knot should be kept in mind as viable short tie options as well. Extra long ties require bigger knots such as the Windsor, Half Windsor, Victoria, Balthus or Double Windsor, or St. Andrew knots work well.

When it comes to fashion situations that do not fit the mold, there are a number of possible necktie knots. Older, worn out ties like the treatment from the Plattsburgh knot. If your desire is to have a bit of an asymmetrical knot tying your tie a bit askew can often give a flashy edge to your style such as the Kelvin Knot, Nicky Knot, and St. Andrew Knot all work well. More flamboyant knots can be the Windsor or Hanover knot, both of which tie into a large, triangular shape, or the St. Andrew Knot. The St. Andrew Knot is often seen as being a bit funky, so take care with when you wear it.

Two things are important here. First, we know you are only going to learn a few knots. Second, be sure to learn a few, and not just one. Two knots for different thicknesses of tie material should be great. Windsor, Half Windsor, and Four in Hand are great knots to know. Four in Hand is for the more curious for the quirky, learning the Cavendish or the Grant Chester will set you apart. Now, with your knowledge of ties and knots, pick a few and knot away.

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