The idea of tying a tie seems pretty simple, right? You just kind of wrap and pull and tighten pieces of fabric until it creates this knot and you’re good to go! Uh, well, not entirely.
Once you get the hang of it, sure it can become second nature – but, it is something that needs to be learned. Both men and women should know how to tie a tie. It is a skill that whether you’re the person needing to wear one or assist someone else in putting one on, is very handy and good to have.
In this blog post we have broken down how to tie a bow tie, as well as three of the most popular knot types (yes, there are multiple) for neckties step-by-step.
This “how to” is great for those that maybe don’t know how to tie a tie exactly, need a refresher course, or just want to learn something new! It might seem like a silly or unnecessary skill, but trust us, not all pre-tied ties can save you – so just learn yourself.
BOW TIE
Step 1: With the tie (untied) around the base of your neck, hold the end in your left hand about an inch and a half below the end on the right.
Step 2: Cross the left end over the right and then bring the left end back up through the loop you just created.
Step 3: Form the front loop of the bow by doubling the right end of the tie and placing it across all of the points.
Step 4: Hold the front loop in between your thumb and index finger on your left hand. While dropping the long end (right) over the front.
Step 5: Take your index finger on your right hand and point it upwards on the bottom half of the longer end – going up behind the front loop.
Step 6: Gently ease the loop through the knot you have created behind the front loop. Straighten out your ends and tighten the bow. Voila!
NECKTIES
Now, there are many different ways to tie a necktie, but we’ve decided to pick the Top 3 most popular ways and break them down step-by-step for you. The following tying styles you will see are: The Four-in-Hand, Full Windsor, and Half-Windsor tie.
Four-In-Hand
Step 1: With the tie (untied) around the base of your neck, take the wide side on your right and pull it down a foot below the left (narrow) side.
Step 2: Taking the wide side (again), cross it over the left (narrow), and then back under.
Step 3: Continue to bring the wide side back around, making one more pass from the wide end across the front of the narrow end.
Step 4: Take the wide end and gently pull it up through the loop you have created.
Step 5: While holding the front knot you have created with your index finger, place the wide end through the loop in the front.
Step 6: Once through, remove your finger and tighten the knot by holding the narrow end of the tie and tightening it up in place.
Full Windsor
Step 1: Much like the four-in-hand, start with the tie (untied) around the base of your neck and pull the wide side on the right and pull it down about a foot below the left (narrow) side.
Step 2: Take the wide (right) end and cross it over the left (narrow) side and then bring it upwards through the created loop.
Step 3: Take the wide end and bring it down, then around behind the left end, then back up on the right.
Step 4: Pull the wide end through the loop you have created and then again across the narrow end.
Step 5: Turn the wide end and then pass it (again) through the loop you have created.
Step 6: Slide the wide end through the knot created in the front and tighten around your neck until comfortable.
Half-Windsor
Step 1: Much like the other two, start with the tie (untied) around the base of your neck and pull the wide side on the right and pull it down about a foot below the left (narrow) side.
Step 2: Cross the wide end over the narrow end and then back under.
Step 3: Proceed by bringing up the wide end and then pulling it down through the loop you created.
Step 4: Bring the wide end around the front of tie going from left to right, and then up through the loop.
Step 5: After bringing the end up, bring it back down through the knot in the front. To adjust, pull gently to tighten until comfortable.