If you are interested in learning how to tie a necktie than this lens is for you. Instead of wasting your time with ugly looking tie knots, this lens will give you instructions on the most popular way to tie a necktie: The Double Windsor knot.
The double Windsor is often times also called the full Windsor knot or Windsor knot. There are two types of Windsor knots. The smaller half Windsor, and the larger, more symmetrical looking double Windsor knot. Below you will find instruction on the more popular double Windsor knot.
It is a larger, very symmetrical necktie knot, that is perfectly suited for dress shirts that have a wider collar spread. When tying a necktie, it is important to match the knot not only to the tie itself, but also to the collar shape of your shirt. As a general rule, the wider the collar spread, the larger a tie knot you should tie.
Since the double Windsor knot is a larger tie knot, it requires more of the tie's length. Therefore, if you already have difficulty to tie your necktie to the right length, so that the tip of the tie ends near the center of your belt buckle, then chances are you are tall and/or have a larger neck size. If this is you, then you should consider buying XL size neckties. Extra long ties are especially made for taller men. They are about 61-63 inches in length and a perfect fit for men taller than 6 foot 3 inches.
Click here: shop for extra long ties to see my selection of XL size neckties.
The double Windsor is often times also called the full Windsor knot or Windsor knot. There are two types of Windsor knots. The smaller half Windsor, and the larger, more symmetrical looking double Windsor knot. Below you will find instruction on the more popular double Windsor knot.
It is a larger, very symmetrical necktie knot, that is perfectly suited for dress shirts that have a wider collar spread. When tying a necktie, it is important to match the knot not only to the tie itself, but also to the collar shape of your shirt. As a general rule, the wider the collar spread, the larger a tie knot you should tie.
Since the double Windsor knot is a larger tie knot, it requires more of the tie's length. Therefore, if you already have difficulty to tie your necktie to the right length, so that the tip of the tie ends near the center of your belt buckle, then chances are you are tall and/or have a larger neck size. If this is you, then you should consider buying XL size neckties. Extra long ties are especially made for taller men. They are about 61-63 inches in length and a perfect fit for men taller than 6 foot 3 inches.
Click here: shop for extra long ties to see my selection of XL size neckties.
Materials you'll need
All you need to learn how to tie the double Windsor knot is a necktie, a dress shirt, a mirror, and your neck. If you don't have a necktie, then either borrow one, or go and buy one. For a wide range of fashionable neckties, check out my store at : Ties-Necktie.com - A specialty retailer for quality mens ties, bow ties, cufflink sets, and fine silk pocket squares.
Step 1:
Button up your dress shirt and flip up the shirt collars.
Step 2:
Take the necktie and hang it around your neck so that the stitching at the back to the tie is facing your body. Make sure that the wide end of the tie hangs much lower than the narrow end. How much longer depends on the length of your torso, but as a good guideline have the wider end hang down 3-4 times longer than the narrow end of the necktie.
Step 3
Cross the wide end of your necktie over the narrow end near your neck. Hold the intersection in place with two fingers.
Step 4
Now take the wide end of the tie and loop it through the loop on your neck fro behind, and then back over to the front. Pull it a little tight and towards the center of the intersection.
Step 5
Take the wide end of the tie and go behind the unfinished knot and then through the "V" from the front of the tie. Pull the wrapping a little tight and towards the center of the intersection. The key is to eliminate the gap between the two wrappings.
Step 6
Now take the wide end of the tie and wrap it around the front of the unfinished knot. Don't tighten it too much, but leave a little room at the front of the tie-knot. This loop is needed to pull the tie through to finish the knot. Go back from behind through the loop near your neck, and then take the wide end of the necktie and pull it through the loop you just created at the front of the knot.
Step 7
Now carefully tighten the necktie knot. The more you tighten the know the smaller the knot will appear. Pull the knot towards the center of your collar and flip down the collars. You are done! You just tied your first Double Windsor necktie knot.
Illustrated on a YouTube video
Watch this video for detailed instructions on the Double Windsor knot. If you have a pen and paper take a note of the mentioned coupon code for a $10 discount on neckties, bow ties, cufflinks, and/or pocket squares at my online necktie store. By the way, this is actually me tying the necktie in the video! =)
curated content from YouTube
When to Wear The Windor Knot
Even though the Windsor knot is one of the best looking tie knots, and also one people have the most trouble to learn, it is not always the best choice if knot. There are three things to think about when choosing a tie knot:
Your Shirt Collar:
This is one of the most important things to consider. The tie knot should fill the gap between the collars. Since the Full Windsor knot is a larger tie knot, you will need a dress shirt with a wider collar spread. If the collar is too narrow, the the knot will cause the collars to stick up - quite a tacky and unprofessional look
Your Necktie Design:
The Double Windsor looks best on foulard ties, and modern neckties. Classic ties with British stripes on the other hand combine better with a smaller tie knot such as the Four in Hand knot. Also, more formal, solid color ties also look better with an asymmetric looking, and dimpled tie knot (the Four in Hand and the half Windsor are better suited in this case.
Your neck size:
If you have a small build than a tie knot that is too large might look a little clown like. Unless you want to dress like Ronald McDonald a smaller tie knot is better suited. Men with bigger necks and heavier build on the other hand are perfect candidates for the Full Windsor. If this is you, keep in mind that the Windsor knot required more length of the tie. This could make it a little more challenging to tie the tie to the right length. If this sounds familiar than shop for extra long ties.
Your Shirt Collar:
This is one of the most important things to consider. The tie knot should fill the gap between the collars. Since the Full Windsor knot is a larger tie knot, you will need a dress shirt with a wider collar spread. If the collar is too narrow, the the knot will cause the collars to stick up - quite a tacky and unprofessional look
Your Necktie Design:
The Double Windsor looks best on foulard ties, and modern neckties. Classic ties with British stripes on the other hand combine better with a smaller tie knot such as the Four in Hand knot. Also, more formal, solid color ties also look better with an asymmetric looking, and dimpled tie knot (the Four in Hand and the half Windsor are better suited in this case.
Your neck size:
If you have a small build than a tie knot that is too large might look a little clown like. Unless you want to dress like Ronald McDonald a smaller tie knot is better suited. Men with bigger necks and heavier build on the other hand are perfect candidates for the Full Windsor. If this is you, keep in mind that the Windsor knot required more length of the tie. This could make it a little more challenging to tie the tie to the right length. If this sounds familiar than shop for extra long ties.
Other Ways to Tie a Necktie
Besides the Windsor Knot there are many other ways to tie a necktie. In fact over 180 different tie knots have been recorded. Two other popular tie knots used today are listed below:
The Half-Windsor
It is the smaller brother of the Full Windsor (described above). Instead of two, only one wrapping is done for this knot. The result: A smaller and more asymmetric looking knot that is best suited for shirts with a medium collar spread. Click here to learn How to Tie a Half Windsor necktie knot.
The Four in Hand
The FIH knot is one of the oldest tie knots that was invented by British horsemen during around the 1880s. They used this type of knot to tie their scarves with one hand while holding the reigns of four horses in their other hand - hence the name "Four in Hand". It is one of the easiest ways to tie a necktie and perfect for men that are new to wearing ties. Click How to Tie a Four in Hand knot for full instructions on this necktie knot.
The Ascot Tie Knot
The ascot is a tie that looks like a mix between silken scarf and traditional necktie. The ascot is usually worn in combination of a frock coat or tailcoat jacket during formal daytime functions. The ascot is tied much looser than a traditional necktie, and it is worn tugged inside the open collar dress shirt.
The Half-Windsor
It is the smaller brother of the Full Windsor (described above). Instead of two, only one wrapping is done for this knot. The result: A smaller and more asymmetric looking knot that is best suited for shirts with a medium collar spread. Click here to learn How to Tie a Half Windsor necktie knot.
The Four in Hand
The FIH knot is one of the oldest tie knots that was invented by British horsemen during around the 1880s. They used this type of knot to tie their scarves with one hand while holding the reigns of four horses in their other hand - hence the name "Four in Hand". It is one of the easiest ways to tie a necktie and perfect for men that are new to wearing ties. Click How to Tie a Four in Hand knot for full instructions on this necktie knot.
The Ascot Tie Knot
The ascot is a tie that looks like a mix between silken scarf and traditional necktie. The ascot is usually worn in combination of a frock coat or tailcoat jacket during formal daytime functions. The ascot is tied much looser than a traditional necktie, and it is worn tugged inside the open collar dress shirt.
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If you think this lens didn't do a good enough job on teaching you how to tie your tie, then maybe this site will do for you. I made this site a while ago, and it offers information on a few other tie knots, it shows you how to tie a bow tie, and how you fold a pocket square. Then, there is also some advice on how to match your colors and patterns on suits, shirts, and ties.
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Another lens that I created that will teach you the importance of dressing well. The lens "Dress For Success" will help you get ahead in your career!
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I created this lens a while back. It is about a commonly misinterpreted dress code. I thought it would be helpful to put some light on the issue. Learn how to dress in "black tie".
How to Tie a Necktie
If you think this lens didn't do a good enough job on teaching you how to tie your tie, then maybe this site will do for you. I made this site a while ago, and it offers information on a few other tie knots, it shows you how to tie a bow tie, and how you fold a pocket square. Then, there is also some advice on how to match your colors and patterns on suits, shirts, and ties.
P.S.
Please let me know how to improve this lens. Simply leave a comment below! You input is highgy appreciated, after all, this lens is for you guys trying to learn how to tie a Windsor knot.
by Ties-necktie
So what about me should I tell here? I am Hendrik and was born in Germany. I moved to the US together with my family about 10 years ago. Since then mo... (more)
