For many guys, the four-in-hand necktie knot is all that exists. It is the simplest of tie knots, and it is usually the first kind of necktie knot that a boy learns. However, what many men do not realize is that there are several very simple variations on the four-in-hand knot - the variations might include just one extra pass of the tie. With knowledge of this common tie knot, as well as its variations, any guy can upgrade his wardrobe.
There are different theories on the origin of the four-in-hand knot. Some believe it came from the way carriage drivers tied their reins; other say carriage drivers wore their scarves tied in the knot. Most likely though, the name of the tie came from the Four-in-Hand Club in London. This necktie variation is the most popular knot in the world and is a true classic. In fact, it is estimated that over 80% of tie wearers knot their tie with the four-in-hand knot. The simple, elongated, and slightly asymmetric style is appropriate for any occasion. For men of shorter stature, this works great as it slightly increases the perceived length of the neck. In many cases, the four-in-hand knot is the first style that a young man will learn to tie, which may be the reason for its nicknames "simple knot" and "schoolboy knot."
The tie is widely acceptable and is becoming even more popular as of late due to the growing popularity of thinner ties that go perfectly with the four-in-hand. The popularity of the skinny tie is largely due to the hit television show Mad Men and other cultural icons like Robert Pattinson, Justin Timberlake, and alternative bands like My Chemical Romance. Also, many feel that the four-in-hand is the best knot to wear with button-down shirts and straight collars. However, the four-in-hand works well with almost any type of tie and nearly any type of shirt.
The Cavendish knot is a versatile knot that comes out looking very similar to the four-in-hand knot. The Cavendish can be worn with virtually any type of tie, in practically any setting, and by anyone. The knot was originally named by two Cambridge University physicists. The physicists, Thomas Fink and Yong Mao, worked in the Cavendish laboratories developing more than 80 different ways to tie a tie, and they also wrote the book "85 Ways to Tie a Tie." On the Cavendish knot, the physicists said, "This is the principal 8-move, 2-centre knot. As its sequence suggests, the Cavendish is a concatenation of the two four-in-hand, one being a mirror image of the other. This gives an idea of its shape: similar to the four-in-hand, but much bigger."
Similar to the Cavendish, the Grantchester knot is very closely related to the four-in-hand. However, unlike the four-in-hand, the Grantchester offers a very nice, symmetric, and large knot that works well with nearly any type of shirt or collar. The knot is definitely more complicated to tie than the four-in-hand, but the look is well worth the effort. Also, if you find your tie hanging too low with a four-in-hand knot, the Grantchester could be a good alternative because it uses more material. Since the Grantchester knot uses so much tie material, it can sometimes appear a little too large if a heavy tie fabric is used. Avoid fabrics such as knitted, woven, or wool ties.
The Victoria knot is almost the same as the four-in-hand knot. The only difference is that the Victoria requires an extra pass of the wide end across the knot, making it a slightly thicker and wider knot. As this knot uses a lot of material, it is best suited for use with thinner tie fabrics to avoid any unwanted bulk. Like the four-in-hand, this knot is perfect for any occasion and with any kind of dress shirt. However, the extra wrap makes the knot larger and wider, so if you have a shirt with a wide-spread shirt collar, consider the Victoria to fill the gap.
About the Author
Celeste Johnson spends her time working on projects like 15 ways to tie a tie at abcneckties.com and writing about men's style. She is interested in writing, fashion, and travel.
