mosha

ok im a like a tie retard and i've looked at instructions online and I still cant figure out how to tie a good windsor. any help??

Willravel

http://www.tie-a-tie.net/windsor.html

I don't know how far beyond that I can help you.

ratbastid

I wear a Four-in-Hand, myself. I like that it's narrower and more vertical than other options. I don't mind that it's slightly assymetrical; I keep the knot a bit loose, and that compensates for it. I don't wear a Windsor because I don't like how wide it is.

Bossnass

I also think that it is nearly impossible to tie a full windsor with most ties. I don't have many ties; most of them are pretty cheap. I ended up trying a couple windsors and ended up with a giant knot and a tie hanging to the top of my stomach. So with those ties, I go for the half windsor.

I did inherit a few ties from my grandfather. They are notably over a foot longer than any tie I've ever purchased. They are also a thinner and softer silk. If I DON'T tie a full windsor, they are too long and the knot is too small.

Which means that it is my personal belief that you need either expensive modern ties or old old school ties to tie a proper windsor knot.

ubertuber

I'm actually the opposite of Ratbastid - being a stocky guy, I like the wide knot a windsor gives. I do think it is harder to get the length right, but it really helps to keep the tie from looking stupid against my neck and shoulders.

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Anxst

I use a four-in-hand myself, mostly becuase I grew up wearing a cravat and waistcoat for formal occasions. My father taught me the four-in-hand for cravats, or that knot ends up HUGE.

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Charlatan

I'm with ratbastid on this... the knot in your tie should never be as big as your head.

Besides, I find that by the time I have tied a Windsor, the tie is too short.

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Chamaeleontidae

I like the Half Windsor Knot, particularly for thinner / silky ties. I think it looks more even. For thicker ties, or if I'm rushed I use the Four in Hand.

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Daniel_

I was taught Four-In-Hand as a child, but generally use a full Windsor these days.

As said above, you need a high quality tie to do a big knot.

I would say that the size of YOU and the size of the TIE should dictate the knot you pick. I have a large build, and a fat kneck (18 1/2 collar size), so I can wear a large tie.

For my wedding I wore a cravatte tied in a full Windsor.

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╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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Pip

On the rare occasions I wear a tie I go for the Windsor, because it's the manliest knot in my opinion. Might as well go all the way when donning the man scarf.
Anyways, to me at least the key part is the tightening. Using the guide willravel linked, I go through steps 5-6 fairly loosely, and then go back and really shape the "triangle" bit by carefully pushing/pulling on both the sides of the tie. Those who tie the knot and then tighten it just by holding the knot and pulling on the wide end and still end up with a neat knot, I have no idea how they do it.

Derwood

full windsor is the only tie knot i know.

those diagrams really ought to be from the tier's perspective...

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"You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

Daniel_

They are - but he's in a mirror....

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

kazoo

Knots can be tied tight and small or loose and large. Symmetry affords a finished appearance.

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healer

I prefer symmetry as well. I wasn't aware that these knots had names, other than the Windsor. The four-in-hand is my idea of how NOT to tie a tie, but that's personal opinion.

I was taught a Pratt knot and have been using it/teaching it to others my whole life.

Not sure if I'm comfortable with the name though

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el cowboy

I think it's important to take into consideration the shape of your collar as well: If the collar has long acute tips that point more towards your belt than your shoulders, than a thinner knot is in order. If the collar has stocky obtuse tips that point more towards your shoulders than your belt, than a wider knot is in order.

Of course both of these items (collars and knots) can be made to match neck and head size.

el cowboy

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el cowboy

now for a question:

I've had great success tying a bow tie made from cotton and other relatively rough fabrics - but tying a bow tie made from silk, which is very slippery, has been difficult...

any suggestions?

el cowboy

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krwlz

Ive only ever learned the windsor (and I only know that because I looked at that link, and thats a windsor, lol) though I may give a few others a shot now that Ive seen this site.