Tying a Tie

Top 5 Mistakes Men Make When Tying a Tie

Tying a tie takes practice. Below are the five biggest mistakes men make when tying a necktie. Avoid these Faux Pas and you are one step closer to the perfect tie knot.

1. Wrong Tie Knot
Wrong tie knot? Yes, you read right! There are many different ways you can tie a necktie. Choose a knot that matches your collar spread. The knot should fill the gap between the collar. For more information please read our tutorial on How to Tie a Necktie

2. Too Long, Too Short
Tie your necktie to the right length. The tip of your necktie should hang down to reach the center of your belt buckle. If tying a tie to the right length has been a challenge for you then you may want to consider tying a smaller tie knot, or you may need extra long ties – neckties especially made for the man taller than 6 foot 3 inches.

3. Sloppy Finish
All too often we spot men wearing neck ties that are tied sloppy. Neither the narrow end, nor the back of the tie should be visible when wearing a tie. This is especially noticeable when in the knot area. Make sure the narrow end of the tie stays behind the wide end while tightening the knot. What commonly happens is that the narrow end slips to one side.

4. Bling and Tie Jewelry
There are many tie accessories that are supposed to “dress up” your necktie. Most common are tie pins, chains, clips, and tie bars. The only acceptable option here are tie bars. Keep the design simple and match the color to your belt buckle, cuff links, and wrist watch.

5. Stains
Most ties are made from silk – a delicate natural fiber that can not be machine washed. Make sure that your hands are clean before tying your tie. Also, your hands should be well manicured. Long fingernails and calices can pull out threads of the fabric, permanently damaging your fine silk tie. Should your tie get stained then you may also want to read our guide on How to Clean a Silk Tie.

Other Suggested Readings:
Necktie Fashion Faux Pas
More Tips for Tying a Tie

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team

How to Tie a Tie With a Kent Knot

Chances are that you already know how to tie a necktie, but even if you have mastered one of the many options to tie your tie, knowing different tie knots is important when matching the knot to the dress shirt, the tie itself, and even the dress code. Below are instructions on how to tie a Kent knot.

Kent Knot vs. Other Tie Knots
The Kent knot is the knot that requires the least of the tie’s length. It is therefore a perfect choice for taller men that want to wear a regular length necktie. Because it is a smaller knot it is great for very thick ties such as knitted neckties or 7-fold ties.

Kent Knot Instructions:

1. As with every tie knot, start out by laying the necktie around your neck with the broad end hanging lower than the narrow end. Turn the broad end over once so that the back of the tie is showing.
2. Place the narrow end over the wide end as illustrated in Step #2 above.
3. Wrap the narrow end with the broad end of the necktie and pull the broad end through the loop near the neck as shown in Step #3. Don’t pull tight but create a loop in front of the untied knot.
4. Now take the broad end and pull it through the loop created in Step #3.
5. Carefully pull tight adn style the knot to your liking. It is that simple!

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team

The Purpose of the Dimple and How to Make One

The dimpled tie knot is what differentiates the necktie newbie from the seasoned necktie aficionado. If you are new to wearing ties then you may ask yourself what the purpose of this somewhat odd looking crevice is. Any tie aficionado will tell you that a properly dimpled tie knot will add more texture to the tie. The knot will give a slight bulge and have a more lively look. In addition the dimple partially folds the fabric near the top of the tie which creates a more textured look, gives more shine, and creates a much better drape.

Now that you know the purpose of the dimple, you may want to learn how one is made. First, there are a few tie knots that are better suited to make a dimple. One of the best suited necktie knots is the Double Windsor knot. The dimple is created during the final step of tying the tie, right before the knot is tightened. Before tightening, slide one finger inside the knot and carefully create a fold on top of the tie. Make sure that this fold goes all the way through the back of the tie. If it doesn’t then the dimple will not stay in place. Then carefully tighten the knot, and as the knot gets tighter, slide out your finger. With a little bit of practice making a dimpled tie knot will be just as easy as learning >how to tie a necktie.

You May Also Want to Read:
How to Store Your Ties
How to Fold a Handkerchief

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team

Raymond Kelly and His Neckties

We at Bows-N-Ties are always on the look for interesting stories related to mens fashion and, as probably expected from us, anything related to Ties. We came across the following story in the NY Times about Raymond Kelly, Police Commissioner of New York, and his distinct taste in ties and tying neckties.

From the article it is quite evident that Mr Kelly takes great pride in how he dresses and that he pays much attention to the little detail when dressing in suit and tie. Not only does he have a very distinct taste in finest Italian and French designer ties, but he also knows his fair share on how to match clothing patterns and colors. His necktie knot is always a perfectly tied double Windsor knot (for instructions on this tie knot we also invite you to our section titled: How to Tie a Necktie. In addition to a perfectly tied “dimpled” Windsor knot, Mr Raymond Kelly is usually spotted with a neatly folded handkerchief and a pair of cuff links.

Mr Kelly’s favorite designers are the Italian labels Kiton and Brioni, as well as French luxury brand Charvet – all brands that can cost in excess of $200 per tie. When asked about his budget on ties, he says that it is all about finding deals. When it comes to patterns, his favorite are small and intricate foulard type designs as well as the occasional striped necktie. What he doesn’t like are plaid patterns which belong, according to him on Kilts and not a tie. Favorite color? Orange Ties – since orange, according to him, represents Anti-Terror.