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July 30, 2007

How To Tie a Necktie

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man in suit with woman behind him nuzzling his neck

Photo Credit: Valentin Casarsa/iStock

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When it comes to tying a necktie there are a few options:

The Four in Hand: Most notably recognized as the super tight necktie, often mistaken for a jailhouse noose.

The Double Windsor: Quite the opposite of the Four in Hand - big, sloppy and often sported by Gentlemen's Club doormen.

The Single Windsor: As with everything good in life, this style represents moderation. It's the happy medium to the previous styles and the one I'll be teaching you how to tie.

The refined look that the Single Windsor tie exudes will make you stand out in a crowd, however the look is not loud enough for you to be mistaken for an extra in Snatch.

To start, turn up the collar of your shirt and button the top button. Next, drape the necktie around your collar with the wide end on your right side, extended approximately 12 inches below the narrow end.

Note: If you are wondering which end of your tie is the narrow end it's because you are wearing a piano tie similar to the one that Duckie wore in Pretty in Pink. Stop reading this now. Go out, and buy yourself a big girl (or big boy) tie.

Cross the wide end over the narrow end and bring it up and around to create a knot in the center. Next, bring the wide end down through the loop you have just created. Then, pass the wide end of the tie back around the front of the knot. As you bring the wide end around the narrow end again stop half way and bring it up through the center, then straight down through the middle of the knot. Tighten carefully.

If both of the ends do not meet perfectly, simply start over and adjust the length of your tie accordingly. As a general rule, if you are of average height it is best to have the bottom of the wide part of the tie hit your belt while standing up straight.

If you are tall, your tie may drop slightly below your belt. If your tie is well above your belt, you're probably a circus clown and your tie is most likely equipped with a gag water shooter.


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