Q&A for How to Tie a Tie

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  • Question
    Can I use a scarf as a tie?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use a scarf as a tie.
  • Question
    What type of knot should I use for school?
    Community Answer
    The four-in-hand knot should work fine for school.
  • Question
    What is the quickest way to tie a tie?
    Abhimanyu Sinha
    Community Answer
    The four-in-hand knot should work. Doesn't take more than a minutes with practice.
  • Question
    Should the label be facing outward instead of touching the front of the shirt?
    Community Answer
    It should be touching the front of the shirt for all knots except the Pratt knot.
  • Question
    Which methods are more informal?
    Community Answer
    The four-in-hand knot is easy and pretty informal.
  • Question
    Can I wear a Windsor tie to school?
    Helter Incendito
    Community Answer
    My son always uses a double Windsor knot for his tie when he goes to school and it has not presented any problems.
  • Question
    How can I remember how to tie a tie if I keep forgetting the steps?
    Community Answer
    If you keep forgetting it always helps to write it down. Each step in order neatly will help you remember. Read it a couple times, and practice over and over until you don't need the directions.
  • Question
    What is a formal knot to wear with a suit to a wedding?
    Community Answer
    I think half windsor knot and traditional windsor knot should work well, because they are more official and formal.
  • Question
    Which type of knot should I use for an internship?
    Helter Incendito
    Community Answer
    The type of knot should really depend on the size of your collar. If the shirt has a small collar, use a smaller knot like the four in hand. If it's a standard collar, use a Windsor knot.
  • Question
    What if I don't know how to tie a Windsor knot?
    Helter Incendito
    Community Answer
    Then you look at the instructions on this page and keep practicing. There are also other pages that explain how it is done. Use your favorite search engine.
  • Question
    How do I tie a tie with a broken arm?
    Community Answer
    You will almost certainly have to ask someone to help you with your tie if you have a broken arm.
  • Question
    How do I keep the narrow side from being longer than the wide side?
    Community Answer
    Try to make the wider part around twice as long as the narrow part before you begin tying.
  • Question
    How do I make my tie a V-shape from the knot?
    Community Answer
    Hold the bottom of the knot when tightening. You may find that the full Windsor is best for holding this shape.
  • Question
    How do I prevent the narrow side of my tie from "peeking" out?
    Community Answer
    I usually wear a tie bar to keep my tie in order. It can be used to secure the narrow end and also hold the tie to your shirt. Ties also typically have a small loop on the back of the wide end, which can hold the narrow end.
  • Question
    How long does it take to make the extra-formal tie?
    Community Answer
    It doesn't take much longer than the four-in-hand knot, so about a minute once you know the steps by heart. Spend some time practicing until you're comfortable with the knot before whatever event you'll need it.
  • Question
    What do I do if my tie is too long?
    Community Answer
    Undo the knot and make the skinny side longer by sliding it further down a few inches.
  • Question
    What should the size of the tie be compared to my height?
    Community Answer
    The tip should be about to your belt buckle. If you are not wearing a belt, make the tip touch about to your pant line.
  • Question
    What type of knot for a tie should I do for a graduation ceremony?
    Community Answer
    Most people use a more formal knot, such as a Windsor. If you are wearing a skinny tie, the best knot is a four-in-hand.
  • Question
    How do I tie my tie quickly?
    Community Answer
    As with any skill, you'll gain speed the more you practice. You could, however, also tie it beforehand and leave it slack enough to slip your head through, then just put it on and tighten it when you're getting ready.
  • Question
    Can I wear a silky scarf for a tie?
    Community Answer
    No, it is a scarf, not a tie. However, for practicing tying, a silky scarf should be fine. Of course, if you wish to be different, you can use a silky scarf this way for everyday wear, that's up to you.
  • Question
    Which is the best knot for a beginner?
    Community Answer
    4-in-hand is easiest and looks good. A marginally easier knot ends with the narrow end facing the 'wrong' way and is rarely used in Western countries - known variously as the Oriental, the Kent Knot, the Petit Noeud or the "Simple Knot". It is popular in China but is not covered here but is very much like the 4-in-hand.
  • Question
    How do I tie a short tie?
    Community Answer
    Try a simple knot such as the 4-in-Hand. The Windsor, Half-Windsor and others use up a lot of the length of the tie.
  • Question
    How do I make the fat side of the tie a little bit shorter?
    Community Answer
    Just make the skinny side a little longer before you start to tie the knot.
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