Tie Knots | Tie Care | Accessories | Tie Tips
TIE KNOTS
-WINDSOR
Thick and wide with a triangular shape, the Windsor knot is best suited for spread collar shirts. It's perfect for when you're dressed to impress!
-FOUR IN HAND
Narrow, slightly asymmetrical and extremely versatile, the four-in-hand knot is one of the most widely used. Befitting for any man, this knot is perfect for most button-down dress shirts.
-SIMPLE DOUBLE
Narrow and asymmetrical in shape, this elegant knot is best suited for classic collar dress shirts.
-HALF WINDSOR
Symmetrical and triangular, this knot is slightly more narrow than the full Windsor knot. This impressive knot can be worn with any dress shirt.
-PLATTSBURGH
Symmetrical and wide, the Plattsburgh knot tapers to create a triangular look. Great when worn with spread collar shirts, this knot is perfect for use on older, stretched neckties.
-PRATT
The Pratt Knot is prominent and wide, though not as wide as the Windsor knot. Working well with any dress shirt, this knot makes a bold impression.
-ST ANDREW
Large, narrow and slightly asymmetrical, the St. Andrew knot has a depth which allows it to stand up and drape well. The deep dimple in this tie makes a defining statement and is not suited for the conservative banker.
-ORIENTAL
Small and triangular in shape, this easy-to-tie conservative knot is perfect when worn with any dress shirt.
-SMALL
Extremely small and triangular in shape, this is the most simple tie knot and is ideal for narrow neckties or thick woven ties. This knot is conservative and perfect for any dress shirt.
-KELVIN
Narrow and slightly asymmetrical, the Kelvin knot is small yet full. This knot is elegantly worn with classic collar dress shirts.
-ATLANTIC
Unique, small and slightly asymmetrical, the Atlantic knot is a refreshing change from traditional tie knots. This knot will surely set you apart from the common tie wearing crowd.
-DIAGONAL
Small, unique and asymmetrical, the Diagonal knot is a refreshing change from traditional tie knots. The asymmetric nature of this knot gives it an elegantly casual presence.
-PERSIAN
Very wide, triangular and symmetrical, the Persian knot is ideal for thin neckties and spread collar shirts. This knot has an impressively bold presence.
-BOW
Wearing a bow tie is a sign of confidence. Perfect for formal and elegant events, they also make a bold statement in more casual settings. Though it may seem intimidating, this knot is easily mastered with practice.
-ZIPPER
Zipper ties are a perfectly simple solution to a night out in style. With the convenience of a clip on, zipper ties also offer the classic style of a traditional necktie.
-THE DIMPLE
The ultimate visual results of your knot depend heavily on the dimple. The dimple governs the fullness and stunning dimension of your tie.
The Dimple is an extremely important aspect of tying a tie. Even if you follow the steps on how to tie a tie perfectly, the ultimate visual results depend heavily on the dimple. The dimple in a necktie governs its fullness and brings dimension to your tie.
A good knot should always have a dimple. The dimple is the little indentation right below the knot of your tie. A good dimple is made before you tighten the knot. You start by putting your index finger in the fabric directly under the knot while lightly squeezing the side of the fabric as you tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end of the tie. The dimple should be centered in the middle of your knot.
TIE CARE
-REMOVING YOUR TIE
The first step to caring for your necktie is to make sure you remove the tie from your neck the correct way. Always untie your necktie when you take it off at the end of the day. Leaving your ties knotted creases the fabric and permanently changes the once-crisp fabric in your tie.
When removing a necktie, typically the first instinct is to yank on the tie knot and pull the narrow end of the tie through the knot. For ties that you want to destroy over time, this is a great way to do it. If you aren't interested in ruining your neckties, you may want to try an alternative method for removing them.
The best way to remove a necktie is to reverse the steps you took to tie it in the first place. Carefully unravel the knot, making sure to avoid stretching and pulling the fabric too harshly. This is one key factor to ensure that your ties stay crisp and looking new.
-CLEANING
Ties seem to have a way of getting into pastas, salads, coffee, pen ink, and so on. A great way to minimize the chances of this is by securing your necktie with a tie lock, clip, or chain. At meals you can tuck a napkin into your shirt collar, protecting your necktie from spills. Even still, sometimes spills are inevitable. They happen to the best of us. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done for a necktie which has been stained.
When your favorite necktie is soiled, act quickly! Immediately dab away any excess liquid with a soft and damp cloth. Be careful not to use too much water on silk neckties, as this may cause any soiled spot to get larger. Always start small, and work from there. Be careful not to rub the spots too harshly, as this can cause the fabric in the silk to break and look worn.
If you can't manage to remove the spot, be sure to avoid the drycleaner down the street. That is, unless the drycleaner down the street specializes in cleaning neckties. Most drycleaners do not have the proper equipment for necktie cleaning, but you may want to call around to find out if one near you does. Standard drycleaning methods cause silk ties to lose their color, that vital lustrous finish, and the rolled edges that help to give your tie its dimension.
It is recommended that you have your favorite ties cleaned at least once a year, even if there are no noticible stains. You may not see the dirt at first glance, but that definitely doesn't mean that it isn't there. More likely than not, those ties are looking more dirty and grimey than they did when you first wore them. Brighten up and rejuvenate those favorites, then wear them again with pride and confidence!
-WRINKLES
Wrinkles are inevitable in most neckties. Even after wearing a tie for only a few hours, that is enough to cause ripples and wrinkles in the fabric. There are a few methods for removing these unwanted pests, and these methods should be performed at least once every few months. This will help to keep your favorite neckties looking their best.
-USING AN IRON
If you're thinking that standard ironing is the best route to take for removing wrinkles, stop right there! Never iron a necktie as you would any other article of clothing. This will flatten the rolled edges of the tie, causing it to lose it's remarkable dimension. Compare two identical neckties, one having been ironed flat, and you will instantly see the difference. You definitely want to preserve those fantastic rolled edges. The best way to remove wrinkles from a tie while preserving its depth is to hold a hot iron about an inch above the wrinkle. Let the steam from the iron pass over your tie while you smooth the creases out with your hand.
-THE SHOWER METHOD
Another great and incredibly easy way to remove wrinkles from your necktie is to hang that tie up in the restroom while you shower. Sound a little too simple? You'd be surprised at how the steam from a hot shower relaxes the fabric in your necktie. After you're done with your shower, let the tie rest for a little while longer. Be sure not to handle your tie while you're dripping wet, as water may damage the silk. After you've dried off, simply smooth the fabric in your tie with your hands. In no time at all you'll be ready for a wrinkle-free night on the town!
-ROLL IT UP
If you know you'll be needing that favorite wrinkle-ridden in a few hours, take the easy route to removing those wrinkles and ripples from your tie. Begin by holding the narrow end of your tie with your thumb, and wrap the wide end around your hand until it is completely rolled up. After you've completely rolled your tie, place it on a flat surface for a few hours. You'll be amazed by the results!
-STORAGE
Every man has a favorite necktie from his tie collection. If you want to keep your favorites looking crisp and new, proper necktie storage is a must! A great way to ruin the ties you love is to ignore the way they're treated, even when you aren't wearing them. Storing your neckties the correct way takes only moments, and it will keep your favorites looking great for years to come. The pay-off is well worth it!
When you're ready to retire that tie for the day, be sure to hang it up unless it is a knit tie. Knit neckties will stretch if you hang them, and should be stored by carefully rolling them up. Make sure to avoid any harsh folds or creasing when hanging or rolling your neckties.
No matter what type of tie storage you choose, any proper tie storage method will help to keep your ties looking as sublime as possible. Proper storage for your ties will help to preserve them, but most importantly it'll help you save your hard-earned money!
-TIE HANGERS & RACKS
There are many different types of tie racks and hangers which are perfect for hanging your ties. Never use a standard clothing hanger to hang your neckties. Ties twist on clothing hangers and typically slip off, ending up in a pile on the floor. Most tie hangers and racks secure your neckties and allow you to hang many of them while utilizing a very small amount of closet space. Some tie hangers fit right in your closet beside your clothes, and others are easily mounted to a wall or door.
-TIE STORAGE BOXES
Another great way to store all of your ties is to roll them carefully and store them in a tie storage box. Rolling neckties isn't just for knitted ties, it's a great way to store any tie! Tie storage containers protect your prized neckties from the elements, and render them nearly dust-free.
-TRAVEL STORAGE
Travelling for both business and pleasure is common, and many trips involve wearing a necktie at some point. There are a couple ways to successfully travel with your favorite necktie.
One way to travel with your necktie is to gently fold your tie in half, then in half again. You can store your folded necktie in your suit jacket pocket. This method is better than haphazardly packing your necktie, but still may result in wrinkles and creases.
The best way to store your necktie for travel is with a tie travel case. These travel cases are typically small cylinders which enable you to carefully roll your ties and pack them securely. Each travel case holds a single necktie, so you won't have to worry about fumbling around with more than one necktie on the go.
Not only are they great for travel, but these cases can also be used to store your neckties at home, at the office, in your briefcase, and even in the glove compartment of your car! Many of these cases are clear or use a special opening (or viewing window) so you know exactly which ties are readily available to you.
ACCESSORIES
-Pocket Squares
The influence of a pocket square in a man's wardrobe is one of great significance. Simply wearing a pocket square in the pocket of a nice suit jacket turns the entire ensemble from perfectly fine to superbly refined.
-Tie Bars
A tie bar is a piece of tie jewelry which slides across the middle section of your tie and attaches to your shirt. Tie bars are available in a variety of styles including simple silver and gold, engraved textures and fountain pen shaped tie bars to compliment the necktie of your choice.
-Tie Clips
Tie clips are similar to tie bars in appearance, however they are attached to the tie by a clip or clasp rather than sliding the fabric through the jewelry. Tie clips, also known as tie clasps, are available in a wide variety of styles design to compliment any type of necktie. Styles include simple solid silver and gold, various patterns and are also found featuring elephants or soccer balls!
-Tie Locks
The Tie Lock is one of the easiest ways to enhance your professional appearance in a modern and stylish way. The professional man can have a perfectly straight and secured necktie without causing damage to his tie or dressing in out-of-date styles. The Tie Lock works with your clothing and is simple to use. It creates no holes, creases, or any other form of damage to your necktie. Most importantly, the Tie Lock is invisible when worn so it enhances your style rather than detracting from it.
-Tie Tacs
The tie tac is perhaps the most widely known piece of necktie jewelry. The tie tac is made of two separate pieces. One portion of the tie tac is comprised of the ornamental piece which is also the pin portion of the tie tac. The other portion, the tie tac base, is made up of the back to the pin as well as a chain. Attached to the chain is a small bar, which fits through the button hole on a dress shirt. This serves to help prevent your necktie from getting into things that it shouldn't. Tie tacs are available in many different styles including precious stones, solid colors, patterns and logos. Use caution when wearing a tie tac, as they slightly and permanently damage your necktie with each use.
-Tie Chains
The tie chain is unique piece of tie jewelry which can be very elegantly worn. Tie chains can be found in a wide variety of chain styles as well as chains featuring precious stones. The upper portion of the tie chain is attached to a shirt by hooking onto one of the buttons. The tie is then pulled through the loop of the chain so the bar is hidden while the chain is in front of the tie, holding it naturally in place.
-Collar Bars
Without the collar bar, collars without reinforced tips could flare up like butterfly wings. A collar bar is an elegant solution, providing an exquisite touch to make a gentlemen wearing a suit look sharp and dignified. In addition, collar bars serve to elegantly props the knot of a necktie into position, giving it an equally sharp and refined look.
-Cuff Links
Cuff links are a great way to compliment your necktie as well as your entire ensemble. They can be found in a wide variety of styles including precious stones, solid colors, various patterns, cartoon characters, currency coins, and many more. Many cuff link sets are also available with matching tie clips as a complete accessory set for your wardrobe. A man wearing a set of cuff links is a man who pays attention to fine detail, and it shows.
TIE TIPS
When tying a tie for the first time, allow yourself time to re-tie the knot until you get the right length. Part of good grooming means paying attention to the details. Those who are important to you will notice and appreciate the effort.
When tying your tie, remember to button your shirt all the way, including the collar button. Flip your collar up to drape the tie around your neck for a sharper look while making it easier to tie.
Using a mirror is especially helpful when learning how to tie a necktie. This will allow you to see exactly what steps you are taking for that perfect knot. It also allows you to adjust your tie knot easily and appropriately with a clear view of your tie length.
The material of your necktie governs the size of your tie knot. While larger knots are well-suited for soft silk and thin material, woven silk and thick material may be too bulky for larger tie knots.
Before you begin, notice where the narrow end of your tie is in relation to the bottom of your shirt. This way if your tie is too long or too short once you finish the knot, you'll have a reference point for the next try.
A good dimple is made before you tighten the knot of your necktie. Start by putting your index finger in the middle of the fabric directly under the knot while lightly squeezing the sides of the fabric. As you do this, tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end of the tie. This technique is easily mastered over time.
The best way to remove a necktie is to reverse the steps you took to tie it in the first place. Carefully unravel the knot, making sure to avoid stretching and pulling on the fabric too harshly. This is one key factor to ensure that your ties stay crisp and looking new.
You may not see the dirt at first glance, but that definitely doesn't mean that it isn't on your tie. Brighten up and rejuvenate those favorites by having your ties cleaned at least once a year so you can wear them again with pride and confidence.
You'd be surprised at how the steam from a hot shower relaxes the fabric in your necktie. Simply hang your tie on the towel rack, avoiding areas where your tie may get wet. After you're done with your shower, let the tie rest while you dry off. Wait a short while and smooth the fabric of your tie with your dry hands. You'll be ready for a wrinkle-free night on the town in no time!
When finishing your bow tie knot, use both hands to adjust each end and slowly tighten your knot. The finished result should be about as wide as your shirt collar. Try this knot without the use of a mirror, except while making adjustments. After a few tries you will find that bow tie knots really aren't as difficult as you may have thought!
The knot in a tie should stay snug on top of the collar button. A tie that is too tight will creep up the collar and prove to be quite uncomfortable. A tie which is too loose looks sloppy and gives you a careless, untidy presence.
After completing your necktie knot, the tip of the tie should fall just over your belt buckle. If the length is off, your tie will look disproportionate and unfitting. A well-dressed man's tie is always an appropriate length.
After removing your necktie, keep it rolled into a coil overnight before hanging it on a tie rack. This will allow the lining of the necktie to flatten out for a better knot the next time you wear it. This will help to preserve your neckties over time.
Always untie your necktie when you take it off at the end of the day to keep them looking their best. Leaving your ties knotted creases the fabric and permanently changes the once-crisp fabric in your tie.
No matter what type of tie storage you choose, any proper tie storage method will help to keep your ties looking as sublime as possible. Proper storage for your ties will help to preserve them, but most importantly it'll help save your hard-earned money!
