Behind this somewhat racy title lies a very pertinent question: which tie is the most appropriate? As you can imagine, the answer to this question is a little more complicated than it seems, depending on a number of factors.
After all, there are dozens of different knots, from the simplest to the most outlandish. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and is more or less appropriate depending on a number of determining criteria: the context, your outfit, your skin tone, your country’s culture (in France, for example, we worship the demi Windsor, even though it’s a difficult knot that doesn’t often do honor to the wearer). Here’s a quick three-point summary to help you decide which tie knot suits you best!
Bien déterminer le contexte
In principle, if you wear a tie, it’s out of professional obligation. Few amateurs wear a tie outside a business context. Either way, it’s no big deal, and the point is to make wearing a tie pleasant and flattering rather than derogatory and embarrassing! Let’s assume, then, that you have to wear a tie to work. In this case, you can forget about ¾ of the knots that can be found on the internet. Focus on four main knots: the four-in-hand, the Prince Albert, the half-Windsor and the Windsor. All others are less suited to a formal world.
Prendre en compte les proportions de sa tenue et la forme de son visage
Of the four knots mentioned above, two are long and thin: the four-in-hand and the Prince Albert. They are the most versatile of all and will go with all your outfits. Especially if you have narrow, thin collars. They will enhance all faces, especially square ones, by lengthening them a little (which helps to rebalance the face). The two Windsor knots, on the other hand, take up more space, so shirts with wide, flared collars should be worn. They’ll enhance thin faces, giving them volume (same principle reversed as the previous example).
Travailler sa goutte (ou dimple en anglais)
Personally, I can’t imagine a nice tie without a nice drop. The gout? This is the little hollow that nestles delicately at the end of the knot. Properly worked, it lends volume and depth to your tie, rather than a smooth, flat look (all too often seen, alas). It also subtly shows off the refinement of its wearer, who wears it with ease and elegance.
As you can see, there’s no such thing as a perfect knot. If I had one last piece of advice to give you, it would be to pick one and work on it! The result will be increasingly flattering and well-balanced, and you’ll also save time by mastering it.
