How To Tie a Tie

From classic knots to dapper details, here’s how to master a tie, bow tie and pocket square for every sharp-dressed moment in your life

Content editor

Nabeela Saghir

Man wearing white shirt, neutral trousers and a belt, tying a brown patterned tie

How to tie a necktie

Tying a neck tie feels far simpler when you start with a classic knot. The Four-in-Hand is a favourite for good reason: it’s quick to learn, works with almost any shirt and gives a relaxed yet polished finish every time.

Here’s how to tie it:

Drape the tie around your neck with the wide end on your right, hanging lower than the narrow end.
Cross the wide end over the narrow end to the left.
Bring it behind the narrow end and back to the right.
Wrap it across the front again to the left.
Pull the wide end up through the neck loop.
Feed it down through the front loop you’ve just made.
Tighten and adjust until it sits neatly at your collar.

Shop all ties Shop men's shirts

Man wearing navy striped blazer over blue shirt and striped tie

How to tie a Windsor knot

Best suited to shirts with a wider collar, the Windsor knot has a broad, symmetrical shape – perfect for weddings, interviews or any time you want to impress.

Here’s how to tie a Windsor knot:

Drape the tie with the wide end lower than the narrow end.
Cross the wide end over the narrow, then bring it up through the neck loop and down.
Wrap it behind the narrow end and back up through the neck loop.
Cross it across the front, pull it up through the neck loop and down through the front loop.
Tighten and centre the knot so it sits neatly at your collar.

Top tip: If you prefer a slimmer style, knowing how to tie a half-Windsor knot is a great alternative – simpler, less bulky, and perfect for medium-spread collars.

Shop striped ties Shop men's blazers

How to tie a bow tie

Tying a bow tie may seem tricky at first, but mastering it is a small victory that instantly elevates any black-tie outfit.

Here’s how to tie the perfect bow tie:

Drape the bow tie around your neck with one end slightly longer than the other.
Cross the longer end over the shorter end near your collar.
Loop the longer end under the shorter end and pull it tight to form a simple knot at your neck.
Fold the shorter end horizontally to create the front of the bow.
Drop the longer end over the centre of the folded bow.
Fold the longer end back on itself and tuck it behind the front bow.
Adjust and tighten until the bow sits neatly and symmetrically at your collar.

Shop bow ties Shop men's tuxedos

Man wearing checked brown blazer over matching waistcoat, white shirt and a navy tie with blue pocket square

How to fold a pocket square

A perfectly folded pocket square is the finishing touch that elevates any suit, showing attention to detail without overcomplicating your look. Even a simple fold can make a big difference, complementing a well-tied tie effortlessly.

Here’s how to do a classic Presidential fold:

Lay the pocket square flat and fold it in half from left to right.
Fold it in half again from bottom to top to form a smaller rectangle.
Adjust the width to match your jacket pocket.
Place it in your pocket so only a neat rectangle peeks out above the pocket line.

For a softer, more casual look, the puff fold works beautifully: simply pinch the centre of the pocket square, lift it, and gently tuck the bottom into your pocket, letting the edges puff naturally.

Shop pocket squares Shop men's accessories

Tie the look together