OT: Which knot is your favorite for ties?
- Thread starter JMORC2003
- Start date
I like the one where the little brown eel comes out of the cave... Swims into the hole... Comes out of the hole... Goes back into the cave again.
When I was young, I went with the full Windsor, but the knots were just too big, so now I use the half Windsor. (Unless, of course, I'm wearing a bow tie. Then I tie it like I tie my shoes.)
Too late again, lol.
With regard to the thread title, it's a trick question. The answer is none of the above, since striving to never wear a tie should be the goal. Damn, I hate ties - luckily I haven't worn one in a few years.
Ha, I might be one of the most-qualified to answer this question on the board, I have been wearing a tie 4-5 times per week for almost 30 years.
The knot depends on the thickness of material/batting and width of the tie; rule of thumb, the thicker and wider the tie, the simpler the knot. Use four-in-hand for a thick or shorter overall length tie; a longer tie might need a full Windsor. You aim is to get the end to fall even with the middle of your belt buckle. Up to one inch in either direction is acceptable.
I currently own well over 100 ties and rarely wear them more than twice a year. Half Windsor has always been my go-to knot. Don't forget the dimple when you tighten it.
The knot depends on the thickness of material/batting and width of the tie; rule of thumb, the thicker and wider the tie, the simpler the knot. Use four-in-hand for a thick or shorter overall length tie; a longer tie might need a full Windsor. You aim is to get the end to fall even with the middle of your belt buckle. Up to one inch in either direction is acceptable.
I currently own well over 100 ties and rarely wear them more than twice a year. Half Windsor has always been my go-to knot. Don't forget the dimple when you tighten it.
30 different tie knots
http://www.shirtsmyway.com/articles/different-ways-how-to-tie-a-tie-knots.php
http://www.shirtsmyway.com/articles/different-ways-how-to-tie-a-tie-knots.php
Learned that when I was about 12, and never learned another one. I believe it's called a Pratt knot.
I wear a tie every day too, but I nearly always wear a full Windsor. While a fashion person would probably disagree, I think beyond the tie material, part of it depends on what you do for a living, or what the function is. The full is more conservative. Better for conservative occupations, court, weddings, etc. I'll tie a half if I am going to an event or dinner or anything like that where I am not wearing a suit. Four in hand is perfect if you are wearing a skinny tie with a white short sleeve shirt and playing in a green day tribute band.
I've always aimed for the top of my belt buckle, and if it comes up a tough short, I will leave it. I hate when it is too low. I think one of the funniest things tie wise is when people have it way too short or too long. Either way looks ridiculous.
The dimple in the center is key. I'm always amazed at how many people are on TV, especially local news, with sloppy knots. You would think someone would be able to tie it for them.
50 years ago, my father taught me how to tie the full windsor. (He was thrilled because my older brother -- almost ten years older -- could not tie a tie.) When I was a first-year law student, a friend suggested that the half windsor would look better with the thinner ties then in fashion, and he taught it to me. Since then, I have always used the half windsor. I have never learned either the bow tie knot or four in hand. At least some people think a four in hand is more fashionable than either windsor, but I've never gone to the trouble of learning it.
When I became a law professor thirty years ago, I started wearing a tie only when teaching class. About four years ago, I was ill at the beginning of the semester and started not to wear a tie when teaching. I asked the students on our evaluation form whether not wearing a tie was OK, and everyone who responded said "yes." So I now wear a tie rarely. (I've done so three times this year, twice for viewings and once for a panel I was speaking on.
I expect ties to continue to become less fashionable. The only good thing about a tie is that it gives some color to the outfit, and distinguishes the wearer from everyone else wearing a suit, but as men wear suits less, that may cease to be a fashion concern.
When I became a law professor thirty years ago, I started wearing a tie only when teaching class. About four years ago, I was ill at the beginning of the semester and started not to wear a tie when teaching. I asked the students on our evaluation form whether not wearing a tie was OK, and everyone who responded said "yes." So I now wear a tie rarely. (I've done so three times this year, twice for viewings and once for a panel I was speaking on.
I expect ties to continue to become less fashionable. The only good thing about a tie is that it gives some color to the outfit, and distinguishes the wearer from everyone else wearing a suit, but as men wear suits less, that may cease to be a fashion concern.
I only learned how to do a full windsor. Don't wear ties often enough to put the effort in to learn anything else.
Like your last point, lawprof. Male fashion is incredibly boring. Look at any televised award ceremony like the Oscars. Women look great, men look like mannikins. Once, when Moms Skillethead and I were taking dancing lessons, the guy of the pair doing the teaching said, "Men, here's the deal. Nobody is looking at you. You have one job out there and that is to make your partner look great."
Though it differs depending on the other external factors, I'm usually going with the Half Windsor.
It might sound odd, but I actually enjoy putting on a tie. Although my office allows people to be relatively casual, most people are still business casual most days. Every Tuesday I wear a tie to work ("Tie Tuesday") and have persuaded a few guys to join the club. Interestingly, it's the younger guys who are more eager to participate. I find that it's a way to stand out from the crowd and get noticed.
It might sound odd, but I actually enjoy putting on a tie. Although my office allows people to be relatively casual, most people are still business casual most days. Every Tuesday I wear a tie to work ("Tie Tuesday") and have persuaded a few guys to join the club. Interestingly, it's the younger guys who are more eager to participate. I find that it's a way to stand out from the crowd and get noticed.
Been wearing ties to work for Over 30 years . Surprised at how many on here have posted either they don't care about ties or don't know what they are wearing . A tie makes the look each day along with a clever shirt selection. They joy in wearing suits everyday is the tie . I enjoy it and I feel great with a nice suit with tie/ shirt.
Went half Windsor most recently, but as I said when I started the thread I usually do four in hand. People probably aren't going to notice or remember, but if they are that fashion conscious, then might be a nice touch to change it up with each interaction.
I really thought the full windsor went out of style a long time ago. It produces an awfully big knot that looks absurd with a wide tie. It was "in" only when narrow ties were in.
