How to tie a Windsor knot as you see it (not mirror images)

Most instructions for tying a full Windsor knot have you facing the mirror. It can be difficult to follow when you have to visualise your left from right. Thus, I have created a set of instructions whereby you are tying a Windsor knot as you see it, from head down.

Don't worry about the length of the wide end of the tie as our body shapes and sizes are different. Some have big chest or belly, short or long torso, narrow or broad neck etc. There are some who have ties reaching way below their belts or hanging high above. The ideal length of a tie is when the tip of the wide end touches above the belt or covering it, but not exceeding beyond the belt when you are standing straight. Practise allows you to judge how much slack to give for the wide end.

The Windsor knot projects confidence. Tie this knot during important occasions such as job interviews, presentations etc.

For easy visualization of tying the Windsor knot, the top is striped green and the underside is blue.

1. Place the narrow end of a tie on your left and the wide end on your right. (Tying the knot involves the wide end going around the narrow end i.e. the narrow end is fixed.)

2. Pinch the narrow end of the tie where you want the wide end to cross over and flip the wide end under the loop and bring it up to your left.

3. Pull the wide end to the right, behind the loop and go over the loop again. You should see a triangular knot upon tightening.

4. Bring the wide end to the left over the triangular knot, go under the loop and bring it up. Pass the wide end through the knot in front.

5. Adjust the size of the knot with both hands by tightening the knot.

6. Draw up the tie with one hand holding the knot while the other pulls the narrow end down.

7. For quick release of the Windsor knot, pull at the left loop above the knot.