A prominent accessory men get to wear to brighten up their outfit is a tie. While suits are generally plain and standard on most occasions, ties come in various colors,lengths and multiple styles, lending variation to a man’s wardrobe. Indeed, a different tie can completely change the perception people have of you in a particular suit.
One of the challenges, however, is actually tying it. Not only can it be difficult at first to tie one, there are several types of knots that need to be considered for an occasion. We shall discuss three common tie knots and the occasions they are appropriate for.
Four-in-Hand Tie Knot
A common knot is the Four-in-Hand Knot, which is also the easiest. This knot is asymmetrical so it does not convey an overly formal appearance and due to its smaller and slightly elongated shape, it matches well on shirts with narrow spread collars or button down collar dress shirts. Typically, the four-in-hand knot goes best with skinny or medium-width ties and is usually preferred by tall men. Therefore, this knot is best for a dressy occasion that is not highly formal, such as parties or social outings.
Half-Windsor Tie Knot
The second knot is the Half-Windsor Knot. The half-Windsor knot is a symmetrical knot that looks like an inverted triangle with the tip cut off that goes well on shirts with medium-width spread collars. Due to its versatility and requiring less of the tie-length for the knot, big and tall men prefer it on a regular basis. It is more formal than the four-in-hand knot and therefore worn on more formal events, such as job interviews and business meetings.
Full-Windsor Tie Knot
The final knot is the Full-Windsor Knot. Full-Windsor knots go best with longer and wider ties. The shape of the full-Windsor is the same as that of the half-Windsor, but it is just larger than the half-Windsor. Since the full-Windsor is larger, it also appears highly formal and is usually worn with wide spread collar dress shirts and by men with larger necks. Full-Windsor knots go best at highly formal events, such as weddings or business meetings with highly important or powerful individuals.
The knots we discussed above are all meant for long ties. Bowties, which are also highly formal and go with tuxedos, and not suits, have a different method of tying.
Finally, anyone interested in ties should note that there are excellent silk alternatives available. Besides linen and cotton, there are also satin ties as well as those made from plant or synthetic materials. All these non-silk options offer something unique without killing thousands of silkworms in the creation process.
When looking for a tie, it is important to remember that you have a plethora of options to choose from and it is also important to choose the right shirt for your body type first.
Key Takeaway for Selecting A Tie Knot For An Occasion
- Three common knots – four-in-hand, half-Windsor and full-Windsor- cover most occasions.
- Also note the different collar types appropriate with the tie knot.
- There are plenty of silk-alternative options when it comes to ties.
