Windsor knot
Encyclopedia
The Windsor knot, also referred to as a Full Windsor or as a Double Windsor (JUJU) to distinguish it from the half-Windsor
, is a method of tying a necktie
around one's neck
and collar
. The Windsor knot, compared to other methods, produces a wide symmetrical
triangular knot. The knot is often thought to be named after the Duke of Windsor
(King Edward VIII
before his abdication
). It is, however, named after his grandfather Edward VII. The Duke preferred a wide knot and had his ties specially made with thicker cloth in order to produce a wider knot when tied with the conventional four in hand knot. The Windsor knot was invented to emulate the Duke's wide knot with regular ties. The Windsor knot is worn on more formal occasions, and it is especially suited for a spread or cutaway collar
that can properly accommodate a larger knot. For correct wear the tie used for a windsor knot should be about 40 cm longer than a conventional tie. The Windsor knot is the only tie knot that is to be used by all personnel in the Royal Air Force
and the Royal Air Force Cadets (ATC
and CCF(RAF)) in the UK when wearing their black tie while in uniform. The Windsor knot is the tie knot used by the Canadian Forces, regardless of service.
The knot is symmetrical, well balanced, and self-releasing. It is a large knot, which amply displays the fabric and design of the tie when wearing a closed jacket or coat, and helps keep the throat area warm during the colder winter months.
A large knot can distract attention away from the wearer's face; therefore, a Windsor best compliments a strong square or round face, or those sporting facial hair.
James Bond
never trusted a man who boasted a Windsor Knot; "It was tied with a Windsor knot. Bond mistrusted anyone who tied his tie with a Windsor knot. It showed too much vanity. It was often the mark of a cad." -From Russia With Love
Using the notation of The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie
, by Thomas Fink
and Yong Mao, the Windsor knot (knot 31) is tied
Common variations are
This is a guide for a "softer" knot:
Half-Windsor knot
The half-Windsor knot, also known as the single Windsor knot, is a way of tying a necktie which produces a neat, triangular knot. It is larger than the four-in-hand knot and Pratt knot but smaller than the Windsor knot. The half-Windsor is derived from the full Windsor in that it is only brought up...
, is a method of tying a necktie
Necktie
A necktie is a long piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes around the neck or shoulders, resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. Variants include the ascot tie, bow tie, bolo tie, and the clip-on tie. The modern necktie, ascot, and bow tie are descended from the cravat. Neck...
around one's neck
Neck
The neck is the part of the body, on many terrestrial or secondarily aquatic vertebrates, that distinguishes the head from the torso or trunk. The adjective signifying "of the neck" is cervical .-Boner anatomy: The cervical spine:The cervical portion of the human spine comprises seven boney...
and collar
Collar (clothing)
In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck. Among clothing construction professionals, a collar is differentiated from other necklines such as revers and lapels, by being made from a separate piece of fabric, rather than a folded or...
. The Windsor knot, compared to other methods, produces a wide symmetrical
Symmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
triangular knot. The knot is often thought to be named after the Duke of Windsor
Duke of Windsor
The title Duke of Windsor was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1937 for Prince Edward, the former King Edward VIII, following his abdication in December 1936. The dukedom takes its name from the town where Windsor Castle, a residence of English monarchs since the Norman Conquest, is...
(King Edward VIII
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
before his abdication
Abdication
Abdication occurs when a monarch, such as a king or emperor, renounces his office.-Terminology:The word abdication comes derives from the Latin abdicatio. meaning to disown or renounce...
). It is, however, named after his grandfather Edward VII. The Duke preferred a wide knot and had his ties specially made with thicker cloth in order to produce a wider knot when tied with the conventional four in hand knot. The Windsor knot was invented to emulate the Duke's wide knot with regular ties. The Windsor knot is worn on more formal occasions, and it is especially suited for a spread or cutaway collar
Collar (clothing)
In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck. Among clothing construction professionals, a collar is differentiated from other necklines such as revers and lapels, by being made from a separate piece of fabric, rather than a folded or...
that can properly accommodate a larger knot. For correct wear the tie used for a windsor knot should be about 40 cm longer than a conventional tie. The Windsor knot is the only tie knot that is to be used by all personnel in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and the Royal Air Force Cadets (ATC
ATC
- Military :* Air Training Command, the predecessor to Air Education and Training Command in the United States Air Force* New Zealand Air Training Corps* Air Training Corps, United Kingdom...
and CCF(RAF)) in the UK when wearing their black tie while in uniform. The Windsor knot is the tie knot used by the Canadian Forces, regardless of service.
Description
When tied correctly the knot is tight and does not slip away from the collar during wear. It is very comfortable to wear, as the knot itself will hold the tie firmly in place while still keeping space between the collar and the neck.The knot is symmetrical, well balanced, and self-releasing. It is a large knot, which amply displays the fabric and design of the tie when wearing a closed jacket or coat, and helps keep the throat area warm during the colder winter months.
A large knot can distract attention away from the wearer's face; therefore, a Windsor best compliments a strong square or round face, or those sporting facial hair.
James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
never trusted a man who boasted a Windsor Knot; "It was tied with a Windsor knot. Bond mistrusted anyone who tied his tie with a Windsor knot. It showed too much vanity. It was often the mark of a cad." -From Russia With Love
Tying
To tie the Windsor, place the tie around your neck and cross the broad end of the tie in front of the narrow end. Then fold the broad end behind the narrow end and push it up through the inside of the loop around your neck. The left and right sides of the narrow end, and the inside of the loop, now form a triangle. The third and fourth folds should complete one rotation around the outside of the knot. The fifth fold brings the broad end over the top of the knot from the front to the back. The sixth and seventh folds again complete one rotation around the knot. The eighth fold should again bring the broad end up over the top of the knot from behind; push the end down through the loop in front of the knot that you made with the seventh fold, work out any wrinkles, and pull the knot tight. If the tie is unbalanced, untie the knot and try again giving yourself more or less length to work with.Using the notation of The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie
The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie
The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie is a book by Thomas Fink and Yong Mao. The authors were research fellows at Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory...
, by Thomas Fink
Thomas Fink
Thomas Fink is an Anglo-American physicist who has authored a number of journal articles on statistical and biological physics and two popular books. He is a Chargé de Recherche at CNRS/Institut Curie and when not in Paris lives in London....
and Yong Mao, the Windsor knot (knot 31) is tied
- Li Co Ri Lo Ci Ro Li Co T
Common variations are
- Li Co Li Ro Ci Lo Ri Co T (knot 32) "Persian Knot"
- Li Co Ri Lo Ci Lo Ri Co T (knot 33)
- Li Co Li Ro Ci Ro Li Co T (knot 35, shown in the image immediately below as "the Windsor Knot").
This is a guide for a "softer" knot:
See also
- Half-Windsor knotHalf-Windsor knotThe half-Windsor knot, also known as the single Windsor knot, is a way of tying a necktie which produces a neat, triangular knot. It is larger than the four-in-hand knot and Pratt knot but smaller than the Windsor knot. The half-Windsor is derived from the full Windsor in that it is only brought up...
– a narrower knot which references the name, as it only brings up around the loop on one side rather than both. - List of knots