How to Tie a Tie(Half Windsor Knot)

How to tie a Half Windsor Knot for your next Formal meeting

A great looking tie, set of hands and a mirror

Slim End: Right Hand

Start by draping the tie around your neck, under your collar. Whether you choose to have your collar flipped up or down is personal preference based on what you find easiest and most comfortable. Ensure that the back blade, or narrow end of the tie is over your right hand shoulder.

Wide End: Left Hand

Next, you’ll want to position the main blade, or wide end of the tie, over your left hand shoulder. Note; the pattern of your tie should be facing outwards at this stage, otherwise the seam will be showing when you’ve finished tying your tie.

Get The Length Right

To make sure you get a good finished length of your necktie, ensure the small end on your right is roughly the width of a hand and a half above the bottom of your trouser waistband. It’s a lot easier to adjust the length now, before the knot is formed!

Cross The Ends

Pass the wide end of the tie on the left over the narrow end of the tie on the right, to form an X shaped cross at the neck.

Bring It Back

Now, bring the wide end of the tie back under the narrow end, so it rests on your left side again. Note; the seam of the tie should now be visible on the wide end.

Over The Cross

Next, loop the wide end of the tie over the top of the crossed ends of the tie. The easiest way to do this is by feeding the tip of the wide blade right past your top collar button. Once you have completed this step, the wide blade will end up on your right hand side, with the seam facing out.

Loop It Around

Pick up the wide end of the tie again and pass it over the knot that is starting to form. This movement will bring the tip of the wide end from right to left, over the narrow end.

Pull It Through

Now, pull the wide end of the tie under the know that is forming at your neck. This will form the front of the Half Windsor Knot, ready for the next step.

Post The Tie

Almost there! Next, you need to “post” the wide end of the tie through the front of the knot you made in the previous ste

Finish The Knot

Before you tighten your Half Windsor Knot, ensure you have enough length left in the wide end. Now would also be the time to pinch the wide end under the top of the knot to achieve an elegant dimple. Then, pull the wide end of the tie to finish the Half Windsor Knot, and bring the knot to meet your shirt collar by sliding it up the narrow end of the tie. You’re set to go!