How to tie a double windsor knot

Imagine you’re getting ready for a big interview or a special event, and you want to show up looking your best. You’ve selected a crisp dress shirt and an elegant suit, but the finishing touch–a neatly tied tie–feels elusive. You remember hearing about the double Windsor knot, known for its polished and symmetrical appearance, and wonder, “How do I tie a double Windsor knot?”

To tie a double Windsor knot, start with the wide end of the tie on your right side, hanging longer than the narrow end on your left. Cross the wide end over the narrow end, then bring it up through the loop around your neck. Pull it down and to the left, wrapping around the narrow end from behind. Bring it across the front from left to right, then up through the loop again. Pull down on the wide end to tighten, then slide the knot up to adjust.

To elaborate, begin with the tie draped around your neck with the wider end on your right side. The narrow end should hang about six inches lower than the wide end. Cross the wide end over the narrow end to form an “X” shape, and then bring the wide end up through the neck loop from underneath. This creates the first layer of your knot. Next, take the wide end and wrap it behind the narrow end, moving it to the left.

Now you’re going to bring the wide end across the front from left to right. Tuck it under the narrow end to create a bridge and then bring it up through the neck loop again. This step is crucial as it allows you to build a fuller knot. After passing the wide end through, bring it down through the loop you’ve just created in the front. Now, you should have a knot that looks thick and symmetrical.

Finally, hold the narrow end of the tie with one hand, pull gently on the wider end to tighten the knot, and slide it up towards your collar to adjust it perfectly. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to tie a double Windsor knot effortlessly whenever the occasion calls for it, ensuring you always look sharp and sophisticated.