How to Tie a Necktie

Follow these directions for a simple four-in-hand necktie knot that'll look great anywhere, from work to weddings.

With your collar upturned, drape the necktie around your neck so that the middle of the tie lies flush against the back of your collar, seam down. Hold the wider end of the tie in your dominant hand (and the narrow end in your other hand) and pull it down so that the tip rests about one foot lower than the tip of the narrow end.

Bring the wide end across the narrow end and clasp it with your non-dominant hand a few inches below your neck, where the two pieces intersect.

Reaching under the narrow end with your dominant hand, grab the wide end and pull it behind the narrow end, back toward your dominant side.

Bring the wide end back across the front, where your knot is starting to form, and then, switching hands, bring it up through the loop between your neck and the tie and pull it all the way out over the narrow end.

Still holding the wide end, create a small loop within the knot with your other hand and, starting with the tip, push the wide end down through the loop.

Squeezing the knot gently with your non-dominant hand, pull down on the narrow end with your other hand, and slide the knot upwards until it touches the front of your collar. Center the knot. The tip of the wide part of the tie should hit the top of your belt buckle. (The narrow end should be shorter, and not visible in the front.) Flip your collar down.

You don't have to resort to a clip-on tie for formal events that call for a bow tie. Use these steps to get your bow tie looking great.

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Make the end of the bow tie that's by your dominant hand a few inches longer than the other end.

Cross the longer end of the bow tie over the shorter end.

The longer end of the tie should go under the short end, then back out to the front from the center.

Fold the short end of your tie so it sits horizontally

The long end should drape over the short end of the tie, creating a cross effect.

Fold the longer end of the bow tie horizontally, like you did the short end.

There should be a loop at the back of the short end of the tie. You can carefully slide the long end of the tie through that opening.

Pull the ends to tighten the knot, then adjust as needed until it looks great.

There's more than one way to tie a necktie, so consider some of these options to add a little extra panache to your ensemble.

This classic knot is one of the easiest to master, and works for pretty much any occasion—though some fashion sites recommend upgrading to a half or full Windsor knot for the most formal events. .

The full Windsor is another classic necktie knot, which results in a larger knot that'll help provide a little balance for larger tie wearers. It involves a few more loops of the wide end of the tie to create that thicker necktie knot.

A smaller version of the Windsor knot, this also involves a few more loops of the wider end of the tie to create a knot that stays perfectly in place.

This newer style of knot works best with a wider tie, as the knot may appear too small if you use a skinny tie.

This relatively easy knot to create is great for taller men, as it leaves a little more tie material at the end. It's also tied with the seam side showing, but ends with a perfectly polished knot. P.S. This is also known as the Shelby knot, as it was popularized by a newscaster who sported it in the 1970s.

This funkier, new necktie knot gets its name from the three front-facing parts. It's a great knot for someone looking for something distinctive that stands out—and who's willing to go the extra mile to make it. (It's a complicated knot that requires looping the thin end of the tie multiple times in distinct ways to create it.)

This very fancy knot with a braid-like detail is a perfect one to use when you're looking for a little extra panache, and you're comfortable with the basic knots. You'll also want to use it with a solid color tie, as using it with bold patterns can result in an off-kilter look .

Want to make sure you've totally mastered the necktie? Follow these tie-tying tips.

The tip of your tie should end at the middle of your waistband or belt when you're standing up. You may want to experiment with a few different knot options to ensure your tie hits just where it should—or consider buying a long tie if you're over six feet tall.

Skinny ties look better on skinnier people, while wider ties are a better pick for men with a bigger build.

To make your tie look even more debonair, you can create a dimple in the front of the tie beneath the knot. To do that, put your index finger right under the knot, when it's still loose, then pull it tight.

A tie bar helps hold your tie into place, but it can also help correct a too-long tie after the knot's done. Simply adjust the end of the tie to where it should sit, then place the tie bar between the third and fourth buttons, holding the excess tie fabric above the bar. This part should be loose anyway, to allow you some freedom of movement, so it's fine to have it be a little looser.

It's important to take note of your collar shape when choosing a a knot type for your tie. For narrow collars, it's best to stick with slimmer nots such as the classic four-in-hand knot. For wider collars, go for a larger knot such as the full Windsor or Pratt knot to maintain a more balanced look.

Avoid overly complex knots when using a tie with a thicker material to prevent it from becoming overly bulky. For ties with a thinner material, such as silk, a more detailed knot is often the most suitable choice.

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