New Tie Knot Ideas

Let's face it: unless you are going to knot your tie well, there is not much point in wearing it at all. Because if your tie is sloppily yanked over to one side or lopsided, then it would probably look better if you weren't wearing it at all.

If you're one of those guys who is shaking his head reluctantly right now, then that probably means you are an inevitable tie-loosener, right? You're one of those men who can only stand to wear a tie for about 30 minutes before you start pulling it to one side or the other. Or maybe you simply try to avoid wearing a tie in the first place. Well, I think it's time for you to face the facts: wearing a tie is inevitable. So instead of avoiding tie-wearing situations, arm yourself with the right tie accessories and the right tie knot, and enjoy wearing your tie instead of dreading it. There are many interesting tie knots out there to try, all of which go above and beyond the basic one your dad taught you when you were a child. Try these three tie knots on for size.

Four-In-Hand- The Four-In-Hand is a good knot to master for when you need to look good in a hurry. It is also a great knot for when you want to wear a tie with an outfit that is a little less casual than a suit. It is considered to be a classic knot and is appropriate for many occasions. This particular knot is easiest to complete with a wide tie made of heavy fabric.

To complete the Four-In-Hand-

Place the tie around the back of your neck with the skinny end hanging on one shoulder and the thicker end on the other shoulder. Make sure the underside of the tie, the side with the label, is facing your shirt and not the outside world.
Slide the tie to adjust the length of the skinny end by making it longer or shorter, depending on the size of your neck. If you have a large neck, you will generally need the skinny end to hang down longer on your shoulder than the thicker end on the opposite shoulder. If you have a smaller neck, the skinny end and the thicker end should hang at about the same length on your shoulders before you make your knot.
Cross the fat end of the tie over the skinny end. Make an X shape around the second button on your dress shirt, and fairly close to your neck.
Fold the larger end of the tie around the smaller end. Then, pull the thicker end of the tie through the noose and through the knot that will have been created by this process. Adjust the knot so that it is straight and centered.
Half Windsor- The most traditional tie knot, and the one that you probably already know, is called the Windsor. The Half Windsor is an equally professional and conservative knot, but many like it because it is less effort. It is considered to be a little bit more assertive as well as more formal than the Four-In-Hand. It works best with a slightly wide tie that is made of medium to lightweight fabric.

To complete the Half Windsor-

Proceed with steps 1-3 of the Four-In-Hand.
Fold the larger end of your tie around the smaller end. Then, loop the fat end through the neck and pull the two ends slightly apart so that the larger end is on one side of your body and the thinner end is on the other.
Fold the thicker end over the center, then bring the large end of the tie through the noose, tucking it into the knot you made. Tighten and adjust the knot as necessary.
Pratt- The Pratt knot, which is also sometimes called the Shelby, is sort of an "in between" knot. By this I mean that it is not as large as the Windsor, but it is not as narrow as the Four-In-Hand. It is a nice symmetrical knot that goes well with most dress shirts and works for pretty much any occasion.