How To Choose A Necktie Knot

For anyone who wears a suit and tie often, wardrobe can become mundane and predictable. One way to make a boring suit and tie interesting is to wear different necktie knots. It is important to consider several factors when choosing a necktie knot such as the occasion, tie fabric, tie length, the wearer's height and stature, and the shirt's collar. This guide examines five types of necktie knots and considers these factors.

As a narrow and not completely symmetrical knot, the Kelvin knot is appropriate for any dress shirt with a traditional collar. When tied, the Kelvin appears small, but still maintains a full shape. As it is a normal-sized knot that does not stand out as being too large or too compact, the Kelvin knot is appropriate and attractive for any occasion and any tie fabric, but you may want to do some experimenting with collar types to find what looks best.

The Oriental knot is also known as the small knot or the Kent knot. This thin, triangular, and symmetrical knot is good for someone who has a small build because it keeps their tie in proportion with their body. Also, this tie is good for someone who is tall because the small knot does not require as much fabric, and therefore does not compromise the length of the tie as much as a large knot would. However, as a side note, someone who is taller than 6 feet, 3 inches should purchase extra long ties. The Oriental knot gets its name from its popularity amongst Chinese youth. This knot, along with the four-in-hand, is one of the easiest knots to learn to tie. It is suitable for wool or thicker ties, is stylish and appropriate for any dressy occasion, and can be worn with any traditional collar.

If you have a wide collar, the St. Andrews knot is great. This large knot is known for being "funky" because of its deep dimple in the middle of the knot. The narrow, slightly asymmetrical triangle shape is not one for a conservative setting or business meeting; however, the knot is very popular. The St. Andrews knot's popularity is especially noticeable in the teen population - you are likely to see this knot at a high school prom or formal dance. The St. Andrews knot is best worn with thick tie fabrics and can be worn with virtually any type of collar, with spread collars being the most suitable.

The Plattsburgh knot is a wide, symmetrical knot that forms a triangular shape. A spread-collar shirt goes best with a Plattsburgh knot, which is most easily tied using older, stretched-out ties. It is said the knot is named after Plattsburgh, New York, where Thomas Fink was born. Fink invented the knot and was also co-author of "The 85 ways to Tie a Tie." In this book, Fink and co-author Yong Mao look at ties from a historical, cultural, and mathematical standpoint.

If you are looking for a triangular, wide, and symmetrical knot that will use up a lot of the length of your necktie, learn to use the Hanover knot. The Hanover knot is quite large, slightly larger than the Balthus knot, but is also quite versatile. This knot can be used with a wide variety of dress shirts and for almost any occasion, though usually more formal than not. The Hanover knot can sometimes appear too bulky if used with a thick material such as wool.

The Hanover knot is difficult to master, as there are nine steps involved in tying it. You need to be sure your shirt's collar is large enough to support and look good with the Hanover. Also note, it is not a self-releasing knot.