Snaza
The Snaza Journal

Ties and knots

Tie your first knot, then choose the right one for the collar, the tie and the occasion. Every knot has its own step by step guide.

15 guides

Rolled navy, burgundy, and olive silk ties rest across a folded white shirt on pale linen

A good knot starts with the right tie length and ends with a small dimple under a centered knot. The four in hand is the easiest place to begin and works with almost every collar. The half Windsor and full Windsor are larger and more symmetrical, the Pratt sits between them, and the bow tie belongs to black tie and to anyone who enjoys it.

Every guide here describes left and right from your own point of view, so you can follow along in front of a mirror without reversing anything. Start with how to tie a tie, then choose the knot that suits your collar and the occasion.

Guides

  1. From the wearers view two hands cross a navy textured tie beneath a raised white shirt collar

    Ties and knots

    How to tie a tie: the easiest knot for beginners

    Learn how to tie a tie with the four in hand, the easiest dependable knot: six steps from your own point of view, then length, dimple and which knot to try next.

  2. A navy textured tie forms a slightly leaning four in hand knot under a crisp white point collar

    Ties and knots

    Four in hand knot: how to tie the everyday tie knot

    Tie a four in hand knot step by step from your own point of view, with a checkpoint after every move, the collars it suits, and fixes for a knot that runs long.

  3. A burgundy textured half Windsor knot with a center dimple sits under a pale blue spread collar

    Ties and knots

    Half Windsor knot: how to tie it step by step

    Tie a half Windsor knot step by step, with checkpoints after each move, the collars and tie fabrics it suits, and fixes for a knot that looks lopsided or bulky.

  4. A broad silver silk full Windsor knot fills a white cutaway collar between navy peak lapels

    Ties and knots

    Windsor knot: how to tie a full Windsor, step by step

    Tie a full Windsor knot step by step, with a checkpoint after every move, the collars and ties it needs, and fixes for a knot that is lopsided, bulky or too short.

  5. A neat forest green pin dot Pratt knot sits beneath a blue and white point collar

    Ties and knots

    Pratt knot: how to tie the Shelby knot, step by step

    Tie a Pratt knot, also called the Shelby knot, step by step. Learn why it starts inside out, which collars suit it, and how to fix a knot that twists or runs long.

  6. A compact charcoal knit tie knot and square ended blade sit against a pale blue button down shirt

    Ties and knots

    Oriental knot: how to tie the simple knot for thick ties

    Tie an Oriental knot, also called the simple knot, step by step. See why it suits thick, skinny or short ties, and how to fix a knot that slips, twists or runs long.

  7. A black grosgrain bow tie sits slightly uneven beneath a white evening collar and black lapels

    Ties and knots

    How to tie a bow tie, step by step

    Learn how to tie a bow tie step by step, with a checkpoint after each fold, how to find the hidden opening, and how to fix a bow that is lopsided or loose.

  8. A deep green Eldredge knot shows layered diagonal bands beneath a pale blue spread collar

    Ties and knots

    How to tie an Eldredge knot

    The Eldredge knot is a braided tie knot made with the narrow end. Clear steps from your own point of view, the tie it needs, and when it looks right.

  9. A burgundy paisley silk ascot sits neatly inside a light blue shirt framed by navy tweed lapels

    Ties and knots

    Ascot tie: how to tie and wear one today

    What an ascot tie is, how it differs from a cravat, how to tie the everyday version step by step, and where it still looks right instead of costumed.

  10. A blue tie ends at the center of a silver belt buckle over charcoal trousers

    Ties and knots

    How long should a tie be, and where should the tip land

    How long should a tie be? Where the tip should land, standard and extra long tie lengths, how your knot changes the result, and matching tie width to lapels.

  11. A crisp white presidential fold sits in the breast pocket of a textured navy wool jacket.

    Ties and knots

    How to fold a pocket square: four folds worth knowing

    How to fold a pocket square four ways: the flat presidential fold, one point, two points and the puff, plus which fabric suits each and what to match it with.

  12. A person reaches from behind to adjust a burgundy tie knot on someone wearing a white shirt

    Ties and knots

    How to tie a tie on someone else

    How to tie a tie on someone else: stand behind them, face them and translate each move, or tie it on yourself and hand it over. Clear steps for each method.

  13. A burgundy textured tie forms a three lobed Trinity knot beneath a white collar and charcoal jacket.

    Ties and knots

    How to tie a trinity knot, step by step

    Tie the trinity knot step by step with the narrow end, from the wearer's view. Which ties and occasions suit it, how it differs from the Eldredge, and fixes.

  14. A relaxed hand extends from a navy jacket with a white French cuff secured by a round silver cufflink.

    Ties and knots

    How to wear cufflinks with a French cuff shirt

    How to wear cufflinks: which shirts take them, how to fold and fasten a French cuff, kissing vs barrel style, cufflink types, and when to wear them with studs.

  15. A silver tie bar sits horizontally across a navy grenadine tie framed by a white shirt and charcoal jacket

    Ties and knots

    Tie clip placement: where to put a tie bar

    Tie clip placement made simple: which shirt buttons it sits between, how wide it should be, how to clip it to the shirt, and when to leave it off.