How to Tie a Windsor Tie

A knot with a pedigree.

It is a large, symmetrically shaped knot.

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

It's often thought to be difficult to tie, but that's not true. Today, we're going to learn how to tie the Windsor knot.

We have created a simple picture tutorial below so you can do it.

History of the Windsor knot

The Windsor is a very large, symmetrical, triangular knot . Although this knot is self-untying, it doesn't 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 the double Windsor . This is to distinguish it from the smaller half Windsor. It is the largest of the four most popular tie knots .

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

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

The Duke of Windsor , Prince Edward, never actually used the Windsor knot. He preferred a wide, triangular, simple knot with a very thick tie. The Windsor knot was imitated by the public to achieve its avant-garde style with an ordinary tie. It is believed that the Duke's father, George V , invented the Windsor knot.

The Windsor knot is also somewhat controversial. In the 1920s and 30s, America became enamored with all the latest trends, such as the Duke (then 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 whether it was a hoax or an honest mistake. But it led to the mistaken belief that learning to tie a Windsor knot is extremely difficult. However, our guide below shows that this isn't true.

Also discover the history of the necktie .

10 Advantages of the Windsor Knot

• Creates a firm knot with a symmetrical shape.

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

• A wide, thick knot like the Windsor can distract from the wearer's face; it is better 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 for 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 stocky or have a thicker neck . The Windsor knot will be proportional to your face and build.

• Use darker tones and more spaced-out patterns with this knot . The Windsor knot can look overwhelming when the tie has bright or garish patterns.

• Because the Windsor is wider, the tie also looks very formal .

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

The shape of the Windsor is the same as that of 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 gives confidence.

It is therefore a prime location for presentations, job interviews, court appearances, etc.

It's best suited to shirts with wide collars and is actually quite easy to tie. While anyone can use this knot to tie their tie, it's particularly flattering for men with longer necks because its wide shape slightly shortens the perceived length of the neck.

It is important to consider the occasion and the type of tie you are wearing!

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

Since, by nature, a thin tie does not have much 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 knot.

If, however, you are attending a fundraiser or a cocktail party, a larger bow tie will look more professional. Again, facial considerations must be taken into account.

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

How to tie a Windsor knot

To tie a 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 end ("W") of your tie on the right, which is about 15 cm below the narrow end ("N") on the left. Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Step 2: 

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

Step 6: 

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

Step 7: 

 Next, pull the wide end upwards through the loop.

Step 8:

Pull the wide end down through the knot at the front.

Step 9: 

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

Congratulations, you did it! You see, it's not rocket science after all. You just need to practice the Windsor knot a few more times until you can tie this tie knot in under two minutes.