Tie knots?

[catherix]

I always wear a full Windsor, big fat knot. I hearing guys write "double Windsor," enlighten us... is it the same thing?

Yep same thing. I think technically it's called a full, and a half is a half. But a lot of people call them a double.

[Schick_Fan]

"It was tied with a Windsor knot. Bond mistrusted anyone who tied his tie with a Windsor knot. It showed too much vanity. It was often the mark of a cad"

Nuff said.

Four-in-hand for me most of the time, otherwise whatever I'm feeling for the occasion besides a Windsor. I don't base my knot choice solely on this. I do sometimes like the more symmetrical look, however there are other knots that do the trick.

[Dennis]

Wow - a lot of full Windsors here. I stick with half Windsor and Pratt-Shelby. I don't like the asymetrical look of the Four in Hand. My ties aren't long enough for full Windsors apparently, or I just have a long torso.

[The Knize]

Full Windsor. (I prefer it over the Double Windsor, immensely.)

I hear all the people talking about how they like the 4-in-H for its asymmetry, but I actually think that this is one time when symmetry is a good thing. Your outfit can be asymmetrical elsewhere, that's fine, but I like the "zig zag" of tie and collar to not attract attention through asymmetry.

I thought a "full" Windsor and a "double Windsor" were the same thing?

I used to use a Shelby-Pratt knot consistently, not really worrying about the collar or anything else. Now I find myself switching around and more frequently using a full Windsor for spread collars, Shelby or half Windsor for regular non-spread/non-button down collars, and four-in-hand for button-down collars or when I am feeling "cheeky." I find full Windsors fairly bulky in general. I am one of those who kind of likes the asymmetry of the 4-n-hand. It is a classic knot, and that is what it is supposed to look like. I do use it as a mosre casual knot, I guess. I think the half Windsor is necessarily asymmetric, by the way. That does not bother me too much either, but I think one reason I prefer the Shelby knot usually is that it is more symmetric. Each of these always with a dimple, by the way. I used to be more carerful to get the dimble correct and centered. Now I do not worry over it as much for some reason. Off center a bit looks fine to me!

Glad to hear you say that ties are a place you can save some money and have it not show that you are. I think i have read lots of stuff about how important it is to have an impressive tie so one should spend some bucks on them. I think you can get a tie that is impressive looking and that I cannot tell from a fairly expensive one for not so many dollars.

[Doc4]

I always wear a full Windsor, big fat knot. I hearing guys write "double Windsor," enlighten us... is it the same thing?

Yes, Full and Double, when referring to the Windsor knot, are the same thing.

Full Windsor. (I prefer it over the Double Windsor, immensely.)

I thought a "full" Windsor and a "double Windsor" were the same thing?

Glad to hear you say that ties are a place you can save some money and have it not show that you are. I think i have read lots of stuff about how important it is to have an impressive tie so one should spend some bucks on them. I think you can get a tie that is impressive looking and that I cannot tell from a fairly expensive one for not so many dollars

I suppose it is a bit easier to "luck into" a good looking tie if you spend a lot of money, but there are ugly ones at any price level. It can be harder to find the discreetly attractive ones in the bargain bins ... these tend to be the ones that can't be sold at anywhere near full price ... but ties that start out life as inexpensive ties can be just fine for part of a splendid outfit.

(Yes, you will notice a difference in feel with a much more expensive tie, but that aspect only you ... and the sultry brunette who unties your tie after a few cocktails ... will notice. And she's probably not paying much attention to your tie at that point.)

[Krona Kruiser]

I choose my knots according to the collar on the shirt I'm wearing. With deep spread-away (English style collars), the full Windsor looks best. For button-down oxford cloth shirts (I wear these most frequently in the Fall and Spring) I go for the 4 in-hand. For everything in between, either a half-windsor or 4 in-hand is my best bet. Since it's been a hot summer, I've only been pulling off the 4 in-hand. It's also the least "pretentious" of the knots. Full Windsors are nice but with smooth and thin ties. I don't like knots that compete with the size of my head.
BTW, there's a great coffee table book called how to TIE a TIE: choosing, coordinating, and knotting your neckwear by Daniel K. Hall. It has step by step instructions for the Oriental knot to the Pratt. It's a nice read. Before RAD I had TAD. Here's my modest collection:

[Doc226]

Full Windsor every time, you can make it tighter to make it smaller.

[catherix]

I choose my knots according to the collar on the shirt I'm wearing. With deep spread-away (English style collars), the full Windsor looks best. For button-down oxford cloth shirts (I wear these most frequently in the Fall and Spring) I go for the 4 in-hand. For everything in between, either a half-windsor or 4 in-hand is my best bet. Since it's been a hot summer, I've only been pulling off the 4 in-hand. It's also the least "pretentious" of the knots. Full Windsors are nice but with smooth and thin ties. I don't like knots that compete with the size of my head.
BTW, there's a great coffee table book called how to TIE a TIE: choosing, coordinating, and knotting your neckwear by Daniel K. Hall. It has step by step instructions for the Oriental knot to the Pratt. It's a nice read. Before RAD I had TAD. Here's my modest collection:

Lol I think I might have had this TAD you speak of at one point in life... Luckily its settled down.

Full Windsor every time, you can make it tighter to make it smaller.

I think most of my ties are just too thick for a full Windsor. Funny that so many on here go with it on the daily. I rarely see it in my line of work, mostly just 4 in hand.

[parihart]

I am a chemist and work in a lab, so i don't get a chance to wear a tie too often. I love wearing suits and ties. I should have picked a different career. Problem is, I'm not good at anything but chemistry, well cooking- but that’s chemistry too. When I do wear a tie, it depends on the time and occasion. Anything before 5pm I use a half-Windsor, anything after 5pm is a full-windsor with a spread collar.

[Krona Kruiser]

Full Windsor every time, you can make it tighter to make it smaller.

With thin silk, yes. It doesn't work with knit or embroided ties.

[mspk1111]

double windsor, its balanced so it never looks bad no matter how tired you are, just need to make sure you get the lengths right.

[Doc4]

I am a chemist and work in a lab, so i don't get a chance to wear a tie too often. ...

Chemists can wear ties all the time.

Mee-meep meep meep.

Indeed.

[Jawaburger]

With thin silk, yes. It doesn't work with knit or embroided ties.

My experience differs. YMMV.

[eelhc]

For an alternate to the full windsor try a shelby. It is a symmetric knot that is not as bulky. Personally I prefer a four in hand knot with a single dimple/pleat perfectly centered on the knot. If I tie a full windsor or the shelby I go for a double dimple/pleat.



I also wear a bowtie on occasion... They're not really that hard to tie.

[AjaxLepinski]

The knot I use depends on the width of the tie (and of course, the collar as described by Krona Kruiser). Some ties are so wide and/or not long enough to tie a Half or a Double Windsor. If it's is too short and you tie a Windsor, the tie-end won't reach the hold down strip on the back of the tie. Some ties are so wide that if you tie a Double Windsor (or even a Half Windsor), the knot becomes ridiculously large. On my wide ties, I'm forced to use the Four-in-Hand knot. My widest of ties can't be tied with anything but a Four-in-Hand without looking silly. I can't believe how wide some ties are! I accidentally bought one that is so wide, it can't be worn with any of my shirts - the collars aren't tall enough to conceal the tie in the back! I don't think I would want a shirt that had a collar tall enough to accommodate such a wide tie!

[Devilpup]

Either a full or half windsor

[Pat.G.Boisvert]

Half windsor for me... unless I am wearing a bowtie! =)

[Scott S]

Depends on the tie, which depends on the shirt. In short, a thicker tie- half Windsor or maybe the small knot. If its a thin tie- double windsor. I'm a tall guy and I prefer the end of the tie to land at, or just above, my belt line. I need all the tie length I can get.

[Demented]

Full Windsor.

[lt114]

Half-windsor for me for the most part. I will go with a four in hand occasionally if I'm wearing a point collar.