December 06, 2023

How to tie a Windsor knot in 8 easy steps

Large, wide, and perfectly symmetrical, the Windsor knot is a symbol of supreme elegance. It conveys seriousness and confidence, making it one of the most used knots for formal occasions and major events such as gala dinners and weddings, for significant work commitments and in politics, not to mention it has become the standard model for tying ties in the Italian military.

The Windsor knot requires a rather long tie that can be tied with class to enhance its significant volume; it is a flexible knot that adapts to different types of shirts, however, to maximize its impact, models with an open collar or with the Italian or half-French collar are recommended.

Summary

The elegance of the Windsor knot in history and cinema

The name pays homage to the Duke of Windsor and future King of the United Kingdom, Edward VIII, who in the 1930s was recognized for his particularly refined style, thanks also to the voluminous and triangular appearance of his tie knots. The original idea, however, seems to be attributable to Domenico Scappino, the tailor of the Savoy family, who first created the knot also in the 1930s: this is why the Windsor knot is also known as the Scappino knot.

In cinema, Daniel Craig's James Bond offers a perfect example of the Windsor knot: the English spy, a lover of tailoring fashion and classy accessories, capable of moving from a gala dinner to the wildest action while always maintaining an impeccable style.

PHOTO WITH @NZAFFORA

How to tie the Windsor knot in 8 steps

For the Windsor knot, choose a wide and long tie. Before sliding it around the neck, it's advisable to button the last button of the shirt and raise the collar.

STEP 1

Position the tie asymmetrically: the wider part on the left should be much longer than the narrower part on the right. Hold the left part with your left hand and overlap it over the right part, held firm by the other hand

STEP 2

The wider part of the tie should loop under the narrower part; then thread the wide part through the loop just created and pull it downwards.

STEP 3

Grab with your right hand the part you just pulled down and wrap it around the half knot created in step 2.

STEP 4

At the end of these steps, the wide part should hang on the left with the seam facing outward.

STEP 5

Take the wide part with your left hand and pass it inside the half knot from below; now turn it in front and let it fall downwards.

STEP 6

Take the tip of the wide end, thread it through the outer part of the knot and pass it through its entire length.

STEP 7

Adjust the knot by holding it steady with one hand and gently pulling the narrow part with the other hand.

STEP 8

At this point, you should be finished and the wide part of the tie should be longer than the narrow part; if not, start again from step 1: mastering the Windsor knot requires a bit of practice.

Tips for impeccable style

The Windsor knot is more suited to ties with dark tones and spaced patterns; bright colors and small, close motifs risk making it too heavy. Avoid ties made from too heavy fabrics, such as tweed, or knitted as they would make the knot too bulky. For a perfect Windsor knot, the tie should be about 6 cm longer than those used for less formal occasions.

A tie is much more than a simple accessory. Depending on the occasion, the choice of color, pattern, fabric, and especially the knot can make a difference: the Windsor knot is a symbol of a class and timeless elegance, just like the Duke after whom it is named.

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Some tie knots