Learning how to tie a four in hand knot is a critical skill that every aspiring dapper gentleman should master. A rite of passage, learning this tie knot will allow you to make the leap into the world of formal wear without much fuss! In this detailed guide on how to tie a four in hand knot, we will cover the history of the knot, the types of ties and collars that it works with, the type of occasion that a four in hand works with, and finally, the tie knot tutorial itself.
The time is set. You’ve bought a classic navy suit with an extra crisp dress shirt. But there’s a conundrum. You need to tie that tie, and are utterly confused as to how to tie one. You want something simple, functional and aesthetic without looking like you’re full of pomp. Whether it’s for daily work, an evening out or date night, you need to know how to tie a damn tie so that you can look the part and then some!
Cue the four in hand tie. Known as the simplest of tie knots, the four in hand is an incredibly easy way to look dapper without having to learn the intricacies of more complicated variants.
The Four In Hand Knot is easy to tie, slim, tapered and slightly asymmetrical, and is indisputably the most prevalent tie knot out there.
History Of The Four In Hand Knot
The Four In Hand Knot derives its name from the four horse carriage. The knot resembles the way in which the carriage driver would knot his reins to keep his horses in hand! This was popularized by the Four In Hand driving club in London, which was founded for the purpose of recreational carriage driving.
Type Of Collar
A Four In Hand Knot is best worn with a narrow point collar, given the slimness of the knot. The spread of a point collar – the distance between the two collar points, is small, with the collar tips pointing down vertically. Given the increased vertical lines that a point collar creates, they are best worn with rounder faces. Hence, while four in hand knots are universally the most prevalent knot, they are best suited towards a rounder face.
Type Of Occasion
A four in hand tie can be worn for daily work or your next wedding reception, but works especially well in less formal settings such as on an evening out or date night!
Types Of Ties
The four in hand knot works well with slimmer ties, or ties made from heavier fabrics, such as knitted ties (please note that knitted ties are slimmer ties, but made from heavier fabrics). Heavier fabric ties such as a knitted tie don’t lend well to a half or full windsor knot, given that the fabric itself already lends considerable substance to the development of the tie knot.
Knit Ties are absolutely perfect for a four in hand knot!
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of Knit Ties
How To Tie A Four In Hand Knot
- Start with the wide end of the necktie on your left, extending about 8 inches to a foot below the narrow end of the tie (please note that you should try to estimate the amount of fabric that the knot will use, as this should be the length of the hanging below your waist line – that amount of fabric creates the knot, which will then lead to the tip of the tie reaching your belt buckle!).
- Cross the wide end of the tie over the narrow end of the tie.
- Bring the wide end of the tie underneath the narrow end of the tie
- Continue bringing the wide end of the tie OVER the narrow end of the tie.
- Holding the thin end of the tie with one hand, pull the wide end of the tie through the loop.
- Pull the wide end of the tie through the tie knot. To create that elegant necktie dimple that every dapper gentleman craves, create a divot with your index finger and thumb with your left hand as you pull the wide end through with your right hand.
- Tighten and adjust the tie knot! You want to ensure that the tip of your tie reaches your belt buckle or the middle of your belt buckle (please note that you do not want the tip of your tie crossing your waistline!). It is therefore imperative that the appropriate amount of fabric in step 1 is hanging below your waistline when you start the tie tying process.
Below is a detailed infographic presented by Real Men Real Style:
The below video is a four in hand knot tutorial presented by founder of The Dark Knot, Rishi Chullani:
Finally, here is a video by Gent's Lounge, indicating the three tie knots that every gentleman should know!
And that’s a wrap for this one. We hope that you have found this guide helpful.
Please feel free to view The Dark Knot’s range of exquisite Silk Ties.
