How To Tie a Windsor Knot

Guides

By: Alexandra Engdahl

2023/04/03 • 3 min

The Windsor Knot, also known as the Full Windsor Knot, is a sartorial classic first made popular in the 1930s by people trying to emulate the fashionable Duke of Windsor’s style.

We’ll dive into some more history below, but first up, let us share a simple step-by-step guide to mastering this classic tie knot. There are some handy diagrams at the bottom of this page.

Start with the wide end of the tie. The smaller end should extend down toward your belly button, ending some inches above it.
Now cross the wide end over the smaller end.
Take the wind end and bring it up from underneath so that it goes through the neck loop.
Bring the wind end down and then to the left.
Now draw the wide end under the smaller and to the right.
Pull the wide end upward, toward the neck loop.
To tighten it, pull down the wide end.
Then draw the wide end over the smaller end.
Pull the wide end up through the neck loop.
Tuck the wide end through the tie’s knot.
Finally, tighten the knot to your liking.

What is the Windsor Knot?

The Windsor Knot is a symmetrical, wide knot, best created with silk ties made from a thinner fabric, and worn with a dress shirt with a wide spread or cutaway collar. Once you master this knot, you will enjoy the comfort, security and heritage of the fascinating Windsor Knot. It’s a statement knot, perfect for when you want an elegant and more toned-down alternative to the bow tie.

The Windsor knot is named after King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, who abdicated in December 1936, meaning he lost his royal title and became the Duke of Windsor. The Duke was widely admired for style, especially the wide tie knot he wore.

In his memoirs, published in 1960, the Duke of Windsor recounts that he did not actually wear the tie knot that was named after him, but admits he always preferred a wide tie knot. Together with his tailor, the Duke developed a custom wide tie reinforced with an extra layer of fabric, to create a wider-looking knot. Since the Duke was hugely admired for his style, especially in the USA, people began to emulate his look and it became known as the Windsor Knot.

In the British and Australian air forces, the Windsor Knot is the only acceptable knot in certain uniforms. It also appears in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, From Russia, with Love. In fact, there’s a whole chapter named after it.

Why Choose a Windsor Knot?

The Windsor Knot is comfortable, elegant and conveys a certain level of sartorial sophistication. While fashion is about personal choice and expression, if you want to connect with an emblematic and historical menswear tradition, the Full Windsor Knot makes an excellent choice.