How to Tie a Full Windsor for Beginners
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A skill that not many people can master, we’ll show you how to tie a Windsor knot so you can get some practice in and look the smartest on the big day.
A key best man duty - by learning how to tie a Windsor knot, save yourself from the unnecessary stress of rushing to complete your outfit on the wedding morning. A favourite of the armed forces for its smart appearance, there are a great deal of options out there and it can be quite confusing. One thing is for sure though: this knot is a classic that you’ll want to nail by the time the wedding comes around!
How to Tie a Windsor Knot
💡 Tip: Place the lower (wider) end of the tie over the shoulder of your dominant hand. These instructions apply for right-handers, so do the same in reverse if left-handed.
- Lift your shirt collar and place the tie loose around the back of your neck, with each side draping over each shoulder
- Take hold of the wide end and place it over the thin end
- Bring the wide end towards your neck, passing it upwards past your chin through the newly-created loop
- Pull the wide end down and to the left
- Pull the wide end around the back of the thin end to the right side
- Pull up the wide end towards your face again, wrapping over the neck loop
- Feed the wide end through the loop and down to the right once again
- Cross the wide end over to the left
- Pull up the wide end through the loop from underneath
- Feed the wide end down through the newly made smaller loop
- Pull to tighten, using the thin end for control
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How to Tie a Double Windsor Knot
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basics, so why not learn how to tie a double Windsor knot and challenge yourself? Even though there are a few extra steps involved, you might prefer the double Windsor knot style over the single. After all, there’s no harm in learning how to do both!
- Like before, turn up your shirt collar and place the tie loosely around your neck, with each side draping over your shoulders
- Bring the wide end to the left, over the thin end
- Bring the wide end up through the loop from underneath (towards your face)
- Pass over the main loop and pull the wide end back down to the left
- Bring the wide end around the back of the thin end, pulling it towards the right
- Pull the wide end back up towards your face, going over the main loop as you go
- Pass the wide end through the loop, past your chin and down towards the right again
- Pull the wide end over to the left
- Bring the wide end up through the loop again from underneath, towards your chin
- Feed the wide end through the newly-created knot loop
- Pull the wide end to tighten the knot, using your other hand to hold the knot and thin end to control tightness
How to Wear a Tie
Learning how to tie a tie is one thing… but familiarising yourself with tie rules and how to wear them is just as important! After all the effort you’ll put into your outfit, you’ll want to make sure that everything is just right… and wearing your tie correctly should definitely be a priority.
1. Make Sure it's the Correct Length
As a rule, the wide end of the tie should sit just above, if not slightly touching, your belt or beltline. If it goes past the buckle, you’ve gone too far!
2. Wide End Longer than Thin End
Remember, the wide end of the tie is the one that will be in plain view, so minimising the visibility of the thin end is crucial to wearing a tie correctly. Luckily, most (if not all) ties have a loop stitched into the back of the wide end. Pass the thin end through this loop to keep it in place.
💡 Tip: If the thin end is slightly too long or you don’t have a loop to hold the thin end, tucking it through one of your shirt button openings is a great idea. Alternatively, tuck the thin end into the opening at the back of the wide-end tip.
3. Use Caution When Tightening the Knot
The final step of the knot-tying process can mess up all your effort and hard work if you pull the wide end too much. Remember that the wide end of the tie controls how tight the knot is, so we recommend doing the last step carefully when tying a Windsor knot, or any other kind of knot for that matter.
4. Leave a Dimple Below the Knot
An extra nod to style and sophistication, the dimple below the knot shows that you’ve taken pride and care in your appearance and is highly regarded as an extra touch that’s quick and easy to do.
5. Buy A Tie Clip or Tie Bar
A smart accessory and a perfect way to avoid mishaps, you won’t have to worry about the thin end of the tie with a tie clip. Both inexpensive and a great accessory for any tie-wearing guest, this is a must-have if you’re looking to smarten up your outfit.
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