How To Tie The Perfect Tie – Windsor Knot

I’ll admit the first time I attempted this knot that it was slightly off… or in my father’s words it was “absolutely terrible, no truly horrific”.  Ha, oops.  I had gone through various online tutorials myself to learn this knot and it finally came down to needing my father to teach me.  So I’m going to share with you the step-by-step technique that he taught me so you don’t end up in the never-ending spiral of unclear and/or inaccurate tutorials that I myself was drowning in!

The “windsor” is a thicker knot than the “four-in-hand” knot we went over last week, so it’s great for a spread collar and/or when you can’t seem to tie your tie short enough.  This one you’re definitely going to want to practice before the day of to get it just right for you!  So without further ado, I present you with the “windsor”:

How To Tie The Perfect Windsor Knot

1) Start with the wide end of the tie on the right and the small end on the left (you can flip these if you please, it makes no difference – just be sure to flip the rest of the directions too). The tip of the small end should start somewhere between your chest and your collar bone (this will vary depending on your height and the length & thickness of your tie). The small side of the tie will remain in place for steps 2-9.

2)  Bring the wide end over the small end to the left.

3)  Up into the neck loop from underneath.

4)  Down to the left.

5)  Under the back of the small end to the right.

6)  Across the front to the left.

7)  You can use two fingers to help keep the knot open in the front (or just hold the small end down in front) while bringing the wide end up into the neck loop from underneath.

8)  Bring the wide end down through the loop you’ve just created in the front (the one your fingers were helping to keep open).

9)  Tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end. Here is where you will adjust and create the perfect “triangle shape”. DO NOT pull or move the wide end once you have created the triangle/knot shape.

10)  From here you will hold the top of the knot lightly in one hand (be sure not to pull on it, you will undo the shape you created in step 9) and with your other hand you will pull down on the small end while you very lightly slide the knot up to tighten around your neck.

11)  The tip of the tie should end around the middle of your belt.  If not, restart and adjust where the small end of the tie starts to allow for a shorter or longer tie.

Congratulations!

You just tied the perfect Windsor knot!!  If not, no worries, because you can’t possibly have made a worst first attempt at the knot than I did.  It just takes a little practice to get the feel for it.

Different Tie Options

If you missed last week’s blog on how to tie the more basic “Four-In-Hand” knot, check it out here!  Or skip on to next week’s tutorial on how to tie the beloved “Bow Tie” here!

Wishing you a wonderful wedding day!