Re: Tie knots - does it really matter?
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.
Jim Killman
Writer, Philosopher, Teacher of English and Math, Soldier of Fortune, Bon Vivant, Heart Transplant Recipient, Knight of St. Andrew (among other knighthoods)
Freedom is not free, but the US Marine Corps will pay most of your share.
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