On the half-Windsor

It struck me today how there are basically two types of knot that guys use to tie their ties; the four-in-hand and the half-Windsor. On investigation a few years I found that there are 5 standard knots; the two mentioned above plus the Pratt, the full Windsor and the Christianson.


I started to wonder why blokes choose the knot that they do and do they stick to that knot all through their lives. I asked some colleagues today at work why they tie the one they do, and it basically appears that the knot they use is the one their fathers used. Kinda makes sense. I asked said colleagues how many other knots do they know or use, and they didn't know any others.


I use a half-Windsor if I'm wearing a suit, that means pretty much every day then! By suit I mean a work suit, with a tie needing collar stiffeners. The half Windsor is quite a full knot but importantly for me, is symmetrical. Not that I'm OCD or anything, but that it lies neatly and symmetrically between the collar points, complementing the collar style and the cut and fit of the suit.

But if I'm wearing one of my vintage suits with a vintage shirt (40s or 50s) then I will tie a four in hand. This is a slightly looser knot that is asymmetrical and was worn a lot more often back in the era of the suit I'm wearing. An appropriate knot for an appropriate suit.


I do like the dimple that occurs with a well tied half-Windsor, obviously with a 100% silk tie, mine are usally from TM Lewin, CT, Thomas Pink or on a very good day; a Turnbull and Asser.

Below is a link to show you how to tie a different knot, to suit a different style of shirt. Becuase a full Windsor (sometimes called a double Windsor) will not suit a skinny pointed collar shirt, more suited to a four in hand I'd say.


http://www.tie-a-tie.net/


And here's one for the more rare Christianson - www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Ye-oS_Bfk


And here's one for twelve knots! www.tie-necktie-video.com/necktie-knots.html