Monty Don, take note: A gentleman's guide to tying a tie

Francis Blagburn
Updated
Monty Don with menswear doyenne Paul Smith, who was certainly not judging him, yesterday - REX/Shutterstock
Monty Don with menswear doyenne Paul Smith, who was certainly not judging him, yesterday - REX/Shutterstock

With a name like 'Monty Don', you would assume that the television gardener is an impeccably dressed man. It's a moniker that screams suave sophistication But as viewers of the BBC's Chelsea Flower Show coverage discovered yesterday evening, the Cambridge man somehow cannot tie a tie. 

Wearing a nice navy suit and soft blue shirt, Don ruined everything – everything – by tying his bright red tie with a scraggy, back-to-front, choking knot that made it look faintly like it was his first ever attempt at the simple dressing act.

So what advice could we impart for Don's benefit. Well, the necktie has its fans, it has its haters, but the long and short of it is this: it's going nowhere. With knitted ties coming into fashion and new trends such as wider ties showing up on the catwalk, this most versatile of men's accessories is as important today as it ever was.

Knowing how to tie a tie is one of the most essential skills a modern man can have, and the best part is: it's easy. 

10 of the best men's ties - and the tie knots to try them with

Instructions on how to tie a tie

The most common technique is the four in hand, a relatively laid back looking knot suitable for smart casual events or formal events that have a relaxed edge, like drinks on a terrace or dinner with the in-laws (if relaxed is the correct word for that). Major plus: it's the easiest knot to master.

To tie a four-in-hand knot, follow these instructions:

  • Lay the tie around your neck with the wider end of the tie roughly twice as far down than the narrow end

  • Holding the narrow end in place, bring the wide end over it

  • Bring the wide end behind the narrow end

  • Take the wide end over the narrow end again

  • Bring the wide end behind the narrow end and up through the big loop close to your neck

  • Carefully feed the wide end down through the knot, adjusting the knot as you go

  • Holding on to the knot with one hand and the wide end with the other, bring the wide end downwards to tighten the knot until it sits in place

  • If it doesn't quite look right, repeat the process, adjusting the lengths of each side accordingly

Full Windsor

The Windsor knot was not invented by the Duke of Windsor, but it was inspired by the bulky knots he had a penchant for. It's a symmetrical knot suitable for formal occasions that pairs well with open collars such as spread collars and cutaway collars due to its bulky shape.

Half windsor

A half windsor is slightly less formal than a full windsor, and is suitable for both formal and smart casual scenarios. It works well with ties made of thicker materials, and spread collars.

Prince Albert knot

The Prince Albert knot is a formal knot with a charming asymmetry and a compact look. An advantage is that it works with any type of collar, and let's face it, if you're going to spend the time to learn a fancy knot, you might as well make it one you can pair with a range of different collars. As the knot uses more fabric, it shortens the tie, so works better for shorter than taller men.

Eldredge Knot

The Eldredge knot is the most elaborate knot in common usage, and requires work to get right, but it is a sure-fire way to turn heads for all the right reasons when properly executed in the right context. It's an attention-grabber, so in the same way you wouldn't turn up wearing a cobalt suit if it wasn't appropriate, you have to judge whether the scenario allows for some display.

Pratt knot

A Pratt knot is also known a Shelby knot after the American TV news anchor who popularised it in the 1980s. It's starts with the seams facing up, which feels counter-intuitive but can soon be gotten used to. The major plus is that it produces a dimple in the tie without any additional effort.

Dimple

If you wish to put a dimple in a tie without using a Pratt knot, follow these instructions:

Bow tie

A clip-on bowtie is more acceptable than a clip-on tie, but it still looks a little cartoonish - a style mishap that can let down the dinner suit it's paired with. Learning to tie a bow tie can be a little tricky, but in the end it's invariably worth it for one of the most charmingly stylish, classic looks men's formalwear can provide.

"HOW TO TIE A BOW TIE" by The Hill-Side from The Hill-Side on Vimeo.

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