Three Classic Tie Knots for Every Occasion
In our latest series of styling videos, we explore three classic tie knots, what is unique about each knot and when to wear them. The knots featured below are the Four in Hand, Full Windsor and Half Windsor knots.
These three knots are perfect for any occasion, from work attire to being wedding season ready. In addition, we have a technique tying video for each knot which not only demonstrates how to tie in a nice compact fashion, but also how to achieve a perfect dimple every time
THE FOUR IN HAND KNOT
The Four in Hand tie knot is probably the most commonly used knot used and takes its name from the traditional four-horse carriage. It is understood that carriage drivers knotted their reins in a similar way to ensure their four horses remained in hand.
This knot is sometimes called ‘the schoolboy knot’, and is a personal favourite within the team. It's a small, neat, compact knot that is one of the original tie knots. This type of knot is considered the easiest one to teach and learn, which explains why we learn it at school.
Step 1
Take the blade over tail, wrap it once around and again keeping it clean and ensuring no creases.
Step 2
Push the blade up and over the backhole, keeping it flat and clean. Then pull the blade through the loop and make sure it's full at the edges
Step 3
Place your thumb underneath the tie and tease a dimple. Pull your knot up to the neck and straighten until you achieve your desired effect.
THE WINDSOR KNOT
The Full-Windsor knot, is arguably the most formal knot you can use on your tie. This is the fullest, widest knot, and so goes best with wider and longer neckties.
The name of this very famous tie knot comes from the Duke of Windsor who wore his ties slightly larger in a symmetrical knot. The Windsor knot was popular post war and associated with people who like a large tie knot. However, there is still an option to keep this knot nice and compact. ensuring it’s not too oversized.
Did You Know? James Bond famously never trusted anybody that wore a Windsor knot because it was a sign of a cad or a traitor.
Step 1
Start by putting the blade over the tail, then up and through, around and then up again.
Step 2
Push the blade over the first part of the knot, keeping it nice and neat to ensure it's compact. This is achieved by tugging firmly on the blade.
Step 3
Go around and through, keeping tight triangle. Push the blade through ensuring a full clean edge
Step 4
Place your thumb underneath and tease a dimple. Pull your knot up to the neck and straighten until you achieve your desired effect.
THE HALF-WINDSOR KNOT
The Half-Windsor knot is smaller versus the full version and therefore more casual in form and style. Nonetheless, its appearance is sleek and sharp, perfect for formal events such as work or weddings. The main difference between this and the full version is that it has less turns. The end result means a tie knot that is slightly smaller but more symmetrical than a ‘Four in Hand’ knot.
This type of knot is extremely versatile and useful to know as it sits somewhere in the middle and is the most versatile know across all tie fabric bases.
If you’re a fan of the Windsor knot and you’re tying a thicker tie like a shantung or a cashmere it gives you a smaller knot. On the other hand, if you’re tying a ‘Four in Hand’ knot and it is a very fine silk like a crepe, it can give you a thicker knot.
Step 1
Start by putting the blade over the tail, then up and through, around and then up again. Ensure the knot is clean with no creases.
Step 2
Wrap around across the inverted triangle, up and through for the last time.
Step 3
Push the blade through ensuring a full clean edge.
Step 4
Place your thumb underneath and tease a dimple. Pull your knot up to the neck and straighten until you achieve your desired effect.
We hope you enjoyed our tie knot styling series and video guides. If you have any questions regarding any of our products please email us at info@rampleyandco.com and we’ll be happy more than happy to help!
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WHAT MAKES OUR TIES SO SPECIAL?
1. All our ties are handmade in England by tie makers with decades of experience producing the finest ties. This ensures that each tie is entirely unique as well as being produced to an exceptionally high standard. We carefully select our interlinings based on the individual fabric being used, which ensures the perfect balance of weight and movement to prevent creasing.
2. We choose to work with only the finest fabrics to make our ties. Our wool and cashmere fabrics are woven in the UK from the world renowned Fox Fabrics and Scabal. We also only work with the finest silk, printed in Macclesfield, England, an area that traces its history of textile production back hundreds of years.
3. Our ties are produced as a classic 3-fold tie with a self-tipped finish, which provides a nice weight while not using an excessive amount of fabric. Self-tipping is widely considered as a finer way to finish a tie, where the back of the blade is made from the same fabric as the tie itself. Self-tipped ties are generally found on premium quality neckwear due to the higher cost of production.
4. We produce our ties with the versatile dimensions of an 8cm (3.15 inches) wide blade and 150cm (59 inches) long. This ensures our ties will pair nicely with the width of most jacket lapels. We also add a stretch loop while slipping the tie, a continuous piece of thread that allows the fabric to move when worn. This special stitch is another indicator that a tie is handmade.
