Four-in-Hand Knot

The four-in-hand knot is a method of tying a man's necktie. Also known as a simple knot or schoolboy knot, the four-in-hand is believed to be the most popular method of tying ties due to its simplicity. Some reports state that in the 1800's carriage drivers tied their reins with a four-in-hand knot, while others claim that the carriage drivers wore their scarves in the manner of a four-in-hand, but the most likely explanation is that members of the Four-in-Hand Club in London began to wear the neckwear, making it fashionable. The knot produced by this method is on the narrow side, slightly asymmetric, and appropriate for all occasions.

How to Tie a Four-in-Hand Knot:

1. Place the tie around the collar the right way visible (i.e. the seams and label not visible). The relative length of the narrow and wide ends can be adjusted with practice so that the tie is the desired length. A good starting guide is to have the wide end 30 cm or 12 inches lower than the narrow end.
2. Place the wide end of the tie across the front of the narrow end about 12 cm or 5 inches from the collar.
3. Fold the wide end behind the narrow end and loop the same (wide) end over the front.
4. Put the wide end through the back of the large loop (which is around the neck).
5. Push through the same (wide) end through the smaller loop (around the tie) and pull it through carefully. Be careful to make sure that the wide end does not begin to fold near the forming knot and straighten it if this occurs.
6. Pull the larger end until the shape of the knot is what you want.
7. Pull the thin end carefully, to move the knot closer to your collar.
8. Make small adjustments until you are happy with the knot.
9. To take the tie off:

   1. Pull the free end of the knot around the neck while holding the knot and it should loosen.
   2. Pull until there is no longer a loop around the neck.

General Tips:

• Check for symmetry. Adjust the knot so that you achieve optimal bilateral symmetry. Re-tie or upgrade to the Windsor if necessary. A slightly leaning knot can be wriggled with so it looks OK, but a seriously cockeyed knot will have the tie falling down your lapel and just look terrible. There are exceptions to this rule. Some knots are meant to be asymmetrical (often worn in Italy, for example).
• Keep it tight. A properly tied tie will, unfortunately for the wearer, need to be pulled extremely tight against the neck. A tie too loose may convey unprofessionalism.
• The Vicious V. According to the film, Outside Providence, a properly tied tie must possess the Vicious V. This is the sharp V formed by the scruching of the tie where it exits the knot.
• For the tall. Tall people will find that the knot sometimes will end up way "up" on the tie where it is narrow resulting in a small unflattering knot. You may want to look for specially made ties for tall people that will solve this problem.
• Be sure to dimple. Where the wider end of the tie exits the bottom of the knot there should be a clean symmetrical dimple.
• Untie your tie. Untie your tie after you are through wearing it, also untie it the same way you tied it. Your tie will last longer.

Information and diagrams courtesy of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-in-hand_knot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necktie
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Tie_A_Tie