classic tie knot

The classic "four in hand" knot

Here's a step-by-step guide for tying a classic "four-in-hand" knot, which is one of the most popular tie knots:

  1. Start with the wide end of the tie on your right side, and the narrow end on your left side. The wide end should hang about 12 inches (30 cm) lower than the narrow end.

  2. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, so that it forms an "X" at the neck.

  3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end, and then back over it to the right side.

  4. Bring the wide end up and over the "X" at the neck, and then down through the loop that has formed around the neck.

  5. Hold the knot with your left hand, and use your right hand to adjust the knot by pulling on the wide end and sliding the knot up toward your neck.

  6. Tighten the knot by pulling on the narrow end while holding the knot steady with your left hand. Adjust the knot as needed to make sure it's centered and symmetrical.

  7. Tuck the narrow end of the tie behind the knot, and adjust the knot one final time if needed.

And there you have it! A properly tied tie knot. It may take a bit of practice to get the hang of it, but with a little patience, you'll be able to tie a perfect knot every time.