How to Tie a Windsor Tie Knot

A knot with a pedigree.

It is a large knot with a symmetrical shape.

It goes perfectly with a wide collar or a cut collar.

We often think that it is difficult to do, but that is not true. Today we are going to learn how to tie the Windsor knot.

We've created a simple image tutorial to help you make it below.

History of the Windsor knot

The Windsor is a very large symmetrical knot with a triangular shape . Although this knot is self-detachable, it will not slip when tied correctly. The loops that form the back of the knot leave a little space between the collar line and the tie, making the Windsor very comfortable to wear.

The Windsor knot is sometimes called a double Windsor . This is to distinguish it from the smaller half Windsor. This is the largest of the four most popular tie knots .

The Windsor knot creates a comfortable space between the collar and neck while holding the tie in place.

Coming from the royal heritage of the English, this knot enjoys great prestige when worn. This is why it is primarily a power node for business.

The Duke of Windsor , Prince Edward, never actually used the Windsor knot. He preferred a large triangular knot, the simple one, with a very thick tie. The Windsor knot has been imitated by the public to achieve its edgy style with a regular tie. It is believed that it was the Duke's father, George V , who invented the Windsor knot.

The Windsor knot is also a bit controversial. In the 1920s and 1930s, America became infatuated with everything that was fashionable, like the Duke (at the time Prince Edward). During a demonstration of the Windsor knot in America in 1936, two steps were reversed. This created a knot of impossible complexity.

No one knows if it was a hoax or an honest mistake. But this has led to the erroneous belief that it is extremely difficult to learn how to tie a Windsor knot. However, our guide below shows that this is not true.

Also discover the history of the tie .

10 Benefits of the Windsor Knot

• Creates a firm knot with a symmetrical shape.

• It has a very large triangle that harmonizes with a wide collar or a cut collar.

• A large, thick knot like the Windsor can draw attention away from the wearer's face; it is best suited to a square or round face , or a hairy face.

• To be worn correctly, the tie must be at least 4 centimeters longer than a classic tie .

• The thick knot at the collar of a full Windsor uses a lot of fabric . Use a classic, long silk tie to do this. Avoid tweed or knit ties, as they will be too bulky for this knot.

• Windsor knots are best suited for very formal events , such as weddings or business meetings with very important or powerful people.

• This is the preferred knot for men who are corpulent or have a wider neck . The Windsor will be proportional to your face and body size.

• Use darker tones and more spaced out patterns with this bow . The Windsor can seem overwhelming when the tie has bright or garish designs.

• As the Windsor is wider, the tie also appears very formal .

• Wear the Windsor whenever you have a tie with a lot of looseness and want a thick, well-structured knot.

The shape of the Windsor is the same as the half Windsor, but it is 25% larger than the half Windsor.

When to use the Windsor knot?

The Windsor knot is a thick, wide, triangular tie knot that provides confidence.

It is therefore a node of choice for presentations, job interviews, court appearances, etc..

It looks best on wide collared shirts and is actually quite easy to make. While anyone can use this knot to tie their tie, it works especially well for men with longer necks because its wide shape shortens the perceived height of the neck a bit.

It's important to consider the occasion and the type of tie you're wearing!

If you are going out with friends or have a date and you are wearing a skinny tie, it is best to opt for a four-handed knot.

Since, by nature, a skinny tie does not have a lot of fabric and the shape of the tie is thinner, it is best to opt for a more vertical knot such as the four in hand.

If, on the other hand, you're attending a fundraiser or cocktail party, a larger bow will look more professional. Here again, facial considerations must be taken into account.

If you are thinner and have an angular face, a Windsor knot can help balance it out by making your face appear wider.

How to tie the Windsor knot

To tie the Windsor knot, choose a tie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:

Step 1 

Start with the wide (“W”) end of your tie on the right, which is about 6 inches below the narrow (“N”) end on the left. Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Step 2: 

 Pass the wide end through the loop between the collar and your tie.

Step 3:

Then bring the wide end down.

Step 4: 

Pull the wide end under the narrow end and to the right. The back of the wide end of the tie should be visible.

Step 5: 

Pass the wide end through the loop between the tie and your neck.

Step 6: 

Pull on the wide end to tighten the wrap. Next, take the wide end and wrap it around the narrow end so that the front of the wide end is visible again.

Step 7: 

 Then pull the wide end up through the loop.

Step 8:

Bring the wide end down through the knot in the front.

Step 9: 

And, using both hands, carefully tighten the knot and pull it up to the collar.

Congratulations, you made it! You see, it's not rocket science after all. Just practice tying the Windsor knot a few more times until you can tie this tie knot in less than two minutes.