How to Tie a Necktie
How to Tie a Necktie
It's a big day and you've carefully selected a tie that
coordinates with your shirt and trousers. Maybe you've taken a
designer necktie off a motorized tie rack, or pulled a silk tie
out of your sock drawer. You've showered and shaved, buttoned
and buckled, and now it's the moment of truth. You drape the tie
around your neck and stare at the mirror in front of you. What's
the secret - left over right and through...no, that's a granny
knot. How do you tie a tie? "Honey" you holler, only to be met
by the sounds of an empty, echoing house. You contemplate - are
you too old to raid your five-year-old's drawer and borrow his
clip-on Mickey Mouse tie? Yes, you are! But, because you're a
mature and rational adult you can be confident that you can
conquer this minor challenge in your busy day.
The simplest type of tie knot is known as the "Four In Hand"
knot. Not only is it simple, but it works with the majority of
tie fabrics and shirt styles. The Large side of the tie should
be on the Left and it should also be the Long side. It should
hang about 12 inches below the right side. (Remember: Left,
large and long.)
Cross the large side over the small side and then cross the
large side back under. Then bring the large end up through the
"hole" that is underneath your chin. Finally, tuck the large end
down through the flap that was formed when you made the first
cross. Tug alternately on the top and bottom layers of the tie
to tighten securely up to the top button of your shirt.
Or perhaps you prefer to strike out on the wild side of fashion
and have selected a bow tie to accentuate your gelled hair and
specially grown-to-just-the-right-length stubble. A bow tie is
symmetrical but should still be placed so that the left side is
slightly longer than the right side. As it hangs, fold the end
of the right side in half vertically to form the base loop. Now,
cross the left side over the right side and bring the unlooped
end up through the hole under your chin then down on top of the
looped end. With one hand, secure the tie at the point where the
long end crosses the loop and with the other hand, make a loop
out of the non-looped end. Push the newly looped end underneath
the straight, vertical piece and tug at the loops to tighten and
straighten the bow tie.
Now go and enjoy your big event! Relax - you've already done
the hardest part.
About the author:
Terrance Farley is the webmaster of How to Tie a
Tie and it has become his mission to provide information
about the most important and neglected article of men's
clothing, the tie.
Written by: Terrance Farley