Tie knots - does it really matter?

[O'Searcaigh]

The only neck-tie knots I ever learned to tie were (in order of learning); a sailor's neckerchief in a square knot, a full windsor when professionally dressed and finally, a bow tie which my university president said were worn only by college professors and clowns; I qualified on both counts!

[piperdbh]

I use a half-Windsor, because I don't like a big old "grandpa knot".

Tobus, you could shorten your ties on a sewing machine. Sew straight across the narrow tail about 4 inches (or more) up from the point, then cut the tail off 1/4" below the stitching.

[madmacs]

Since i had to wear a tie to school, and I was too tall for most ties to lose the extra with a windsor, it ended up with a four in hand... Which is in my experience a fairly typical tie knot in the UK... This also ended up being used when I went to work (the knot not the tie)

Currently I dont have to wear one, but wore one to dinner a few weeks ago and tied it as a half windsor (just because i could).

I have also been kmown to tie a proper black silk bow tie in the past... Albeit the very distant past...

[AFS1970]

I do not wear ties very often, but I am now beginning to get more into them. This is mostly because much of my previous tie wearing has been uniform (or non uniform but on duty) related and thus clip on. I began to hate one thing about clip on ties and that it the habit the older ones have of popping out on the sides and exposing themselves. I found a relatively new style that was pre tied and attached with Velcro in the back of the neck. That still only really worked for uniform wear but such ties do have their place.

Oddly enough this year has seen me acquire quite a nice start to a tie collection, even though I still do not have as many chances to wear them. However this has lead me to look into different knots. I tend to vary them up based on no real criteria, although I did discover that some knots go better with some shirts, I never knew the names of the collars in question. I never knew that a knot could be a sign of the formality of the occasion.

[Zardoz]

I've always gone with the notion that the shirt collars drive the knot choice. Narrower point styles get the 1/2 windsor, spread collars the full windsor. I don't care for spread collars, so basically always use the 1/2 windsor.

One other thought about tie lengths, many alteration shops can alter the width and/or length of neckties.

[crash]

Tobus,
When I tie my Colquhoun tartan ties I always use a full Windsor. I just like the symetry better I guess. I have the oposite problem. I'm on the tall side and tend to run out of tie. Maybe 1/2 Windsor for the modern and full for the ancient. ha ha

[RAF]

As mentioned by most here:
1. Yes, the size of the knot should equate to the style of collar.
2. Yes, the bottom of the tie should just touch your belt buckle or kilt waist, so height does factor into the issue.
However, and interestingly, not mentioned yet, the size and shape of your face, head and general physique also come into play. The size of the knot should be consistent with the size of the man.
Small and/or slim guys benefit more from smaller knots (i.e. four-in-hand) and narrower ties.
Larger knots tend to compliment broader faces, bigger bodies and/or bearded men
Part of it of course is Fashion vs. style. Fashion being what's "in" at the moment. Whereas Style transcends whim and adheres to general rules of dressing to suit your body type, skin coloring, etc.
Trust your instincts! Or if that fails, follow the advice of a trusted friend, fellow X'er or loved one.

[thescot]

I believe I'm correct in quoting 007 that you should never trust a man with a Windsor knot. Ha. "Bond mistrusted anyone who tied his tie with a Windsor Knot. It showed too much vanity. It was often the mark of a cad."

I first learned a half-Windsor at age 4 or 5 since I decided that only "little boys" wore clip on bow ties. My grandfather taught me, and I have never worn a clip on tie of any kind since.

I learned to use the full Windsor as an alternative as a boy--7-9 perhaps--as a means of shortening a longer tie. (I would sneak one of my dad's.) I also learned to match the collar to the knot and tie.

By age 14 or so, I learned that a four-in-hand was crooked, and I refused to wear one, but, getting taller, I learned:
1. a half-Windsor leaves the front longer
2. a wool tie is too thick for a full Windspr (usually)

In the USMC, I learned to tie the then very narrow wool tie in a four-in-hand and use the spring-loaded, one-piece collar stay to make the very small, tight knot stick almost straight out from the very tight collar on my wool dress shirt, and I came to appreciate a four-in-hand as a useful alternative for certain styles of dress, formal wear, etc.

I never heard of a Pratt knot until today--learn something every day!--and after investigating, I see that it is essentially an inside-out half Windsor. Pretty cool knot, though. I may try it out just for the heck of it.

So--back to your original question--I'm pretty sure that the knot has no connotatons these days. I use the half-Windsor mostly because a regular length tie it too short otherwise. With an extra-long tie (which is all I buy now), I can vary the knot by shifting the relative placement of the different ends before tying.

And that's a lot more than you cared to know.

[Chas]

Tie widths change with the dictates of fashion and I have many ties waiting for the fashion pendulum to swing back. I still have a kipper tie somewhere!

Apart from the bow-tie knot, I only ever learned one style of knot. There are, I understand, over a dozen different styles of knot, but I only use one.

So to me it, does not matter

Regards

Chas

[kc8ufv]

Only kind of knot I ever learned was the four-in-hand, and that's what I wear every day to work. Unless I'm wearing my 8-bit tie, but that tie is something else, and wouldn't work with ANY traditional knot.