Knowing how to tie a tie is a life skill.
From our school uniform days to edgy street-style phases to weddings and other formal events, a tie can really tie a look together. This indispensable wardrobe piece has the power to enhance the elegance of a suit or sprinkle a dash of chic into your grunge OOTD.
Tying a stylish skinny tie (or even a classic bow tie) is a beneficial skill to have in your back pocket when you’re called to rise to the occasion.
From the Four-in-Hand knot all the way to the Trinity knot, there are a thousand and one ways to tie a tie. Let's discover the most popular ones!
The Types of Tie Knots
How to Tie a Four-in-Hand Knot
The Four-in-Hand knot is a beginner-friendly technique that you can perform with your eyes closed…but not on the first try, of course.
This particular knot works nicely for wide neckties made with heavy fabric. This will be your go-to knot if you are aiming to achieve a traditional aesthetic with a basic button-down shirt.
Step 1:
Start off by raising the shirt collar. Then drape the tie around your neck with the wide end on the right side, extending approximately 12 inches below the narrow end of the tie.
Step 2:
Bring the wide portion of the tie across the narrow part.
Step 3:
Next, bring the wide part under the narrow portion.
Step 4:
Place the wide side back over the top of the narrow portion.
Step 5:
Now, bring the wide side up through the large loop at the neck area.
Step 6:
Hold the knot loosely and insert the wide end in a downward direction via the loop in front.
Step 7:
Hold the bottom narrow part of the tie with one hand. Afterwards, slide the knot upward with the other until it sits neatly. Now, lower the shirt collar to see the finished product.
Holding the bottom narrow part of the tie with one hand, slide the knot upward with the other until neat and snug. Lower the shirt collar to complete the look.
Step 8:
Go flaunt your freshly tied tie!
How to Tie a Full Windsor Knot
The Full Windsor knot is defined by a sleek triangular shape that helps you make a good impression during corporate events, job interviews, or formal social gatherings. On the flip side, it's also great for laidback dinosaur-themed neckties that you wear on your days off!
This necktie knot style looks best when paired with a spread collar shirt.
Don't be fooled by its serious name, because the Windsor knot is only a medium in terms of difficulty level. Once mastered, you could probably achieve it with one eye open.
Step 1:
Place the tie around your neck, with the wide end hanging about 30% longer than the narrow end.
Step 2:
Once you have the tie in place, cross the wide end over the narrow end. Then bring it up through the neck area from underneath.
Step 3:
Pull down to the left.
Step 4:
Cross over to the right side from behind.
Step 5:
Pull it up towards the neck loop.
Step 6:
Push it through the neck area and pull down toward the right.
Step 7:
Cross it over to the front and then back up through the neck portion.
Step 8:
Feed it through the front loop that you have just made at the front. Now, tighten it by pulling down on the wide end and sliding the knot with your other hand to adjust to your preference.
Step 9:
Go out there and flaunt your sleek Full Windsor knot!
How to Tie a Half Windsor Knot
The world of neckties wouldn't be complete without the Half Windsor knot.
A Half Windsor knot offers a symmetrical triangular form that exudes a sense of classic flair. Being smaller than its Full Windsor big brother, this tie knot is a match made in heaven for wider, medium-weight ties. To boot, it pairs like a charm with any type of dress shirt, making it an in-demand tie knot in corporate settings.
Step 1:
Akin to the Full Windsor knot, start by draping a tie below a raised shirt collar. Once again, ensure that the wise end is on the right side and extends roughly 12 inches longer than the narrow end.
Step 2:
Cross the wide portion over the narrow portion.
Step 3:
Next, cross the wide part behind the narrow part in order for the inner side to be facing outwards.
Step 4:
Now, it's time to bring the wide end up and over to the left side.
Step 5:
Pull your tie end through the opening at the neck area so it lays the inner side out to the right.
Step 6:
Next up in the process, bring the wide end over the narrow end from right to left. Make sure that the correct side is facing up.
Step 7:
Place the wide end up through the neck loop once again.
Step 8:
Insert it through the loop at the front of the collar to bring it down.
Step 9:
In order to adjust the knot, slide it in an upward motion with one hand, while holding the tail with the other. Lower the short collar, et voilà, you have just successfully tied a Half Windsor knot!
How to Tie a Trinity Knot
Moving up from the basics, the Trinity knot is a slightly more advanced way to tie a tie.
The Trinity knot radiates undeniable sophistication and—you guessed it—is modelled after the Trinity symbol. Due to its exquisite appearance, this tie knot will make a strong fashion statement during formal functions.
Step 1:
Begin with the wide end of the tie placed on the left and the narrow end on the right. To achieve the perfect trinity, the tip of the wide end should rest at the top of your belt buckle. We will only be moving the narrow end.
Step 2:
Cross the narrow end over to the left.
Step 3:
From underneath, bring it up into the neck loop.
Step 4:
Now, bring it back down to the left.
Step 5:
Bring it around the back of the wide end to the right.
Step 6:
Next, bring it up to the centre, towards the neck loop.
Step 7:
Now, let's pull it through the neck loop and down to the left.
Step 8:
Place it across the wide end to the right. Afterwards, bring it up into the neck loop from underneath again.
Step 9:
You will see that you have created a loop. Pull the tie end through that loop, and keep it loose.
Step 10:
Bring the narrow end around the back of the wide end to the right.
Step 11:
Bring it across the front towards the middle and through the loop you made in the previous step.
Step 12:
This is the part where you tighten and tuck the rest of the narrow tie end behind the neck loop on the left side.
Step 13:
Head out and dazzle onlookers with your debonair Trinity tie knot!
How to Tie an Eldredge Knot
Once you've mastered the basic tie knots, you’ll be ready to conquer the boss level of tying a tie: the Eldredge knot.
If you thought that tapered fishtail braids can only be achieved with hair, then you haven't seen what the Eldredge knot can do yet! Be warned—this intricate tie knot is not for the squeamish. Then again, the tying process may be an uphill battle, but the view at the top is totally worth it!
Step 1:
Start by placing the wide end of the tie on the left and the narrow end on the right. Similar to the Trinity knot's starting point, make sure that the tip of the wide end rests at the top of your belt buckle. Once again, only the narrow end will play an active role.
Step 2:
Bring the narrow part over the wide end to the left.
Step 3:
Go under the wide end and to the right.
Step 4:
Next, bring it up to the centre, towards the neck loop.
Step 5:
Now, let's go through the neck loop and to the left.
Step 6:
Go across the front, to the right side. Next, bring it up into the neck loop from underneath.
Step 7:
Pull it down to the left and around the back of the wide end towards the right side. Remember to keep this part loose.
Step 8:
If you're not tied up in confusion at this part yet, take a moment to applaud yourself before you bring it across the front and towards the left. Now pull it through the loose loop that you made in the previous step.
Step 9:
Move the narrow end towards the left to tighten it.
Step 10:
Go up to the centre and towards the neck loop. Next, go ahead and pull it down through the neck loop and to the left.
Step 11:
Let's go up to the centre and towards the neck loop. Now, down through the neck loop again, but to the right this time. Once again, keep this portion loose.
Step 12:
This is the part where you bring it across the front towards the left and through the loop that was created a moment ago.
Step 13:
Now, we can pull the narrow end towards the left to tighten it nice and snugly. You're nearly there; we promise.
Step 14:
Finally, tuck the rest of the narrow end behind the neck loop on the left side.
Step 15:
Mesmerize everyone with your spellbinding Eldredge knot!
Tie Your Look Together with AusCufflinks
Now that you’ve figured out how to tie a tie, it’s time to master the art with pieces that reflect your playful, classic, lighthearted, conservative, creative, retro, or preppy personality.
With the vast array of tie options at AusCufflinks, any tie knot will transform into a work of art.
