The Simple Knot:
A Classic
The quintessential classic knot, with the great advantage of adapting to any type of tie and shirt collar, especially button-downs. It is well-balanced, not too tight or too loose, and its diagonal shape truly elongates the neck. This simple knot is known as “four in hand” in England and “régate” in France, as it resembles a sailor's knot often used by those participating in regattas.
How to tie it:
Take the wide end of the tie (A) and fold it over the narrow end (B) at 180°, cross (B) over (A), bring (A) over (B) and slide it through the loop towards the collar. Pass (A) through the knot and pull gently.
The Windsor Knot for Italian Collars
Although the Duke of Windsor often wore this knot in the 1930s, popularizing it, he was not its inventor; his father, George V, had already adopted it.
The Windsor knot is a symmetrical, conical structure suitable for wide collars, like those found on Italian shirts.
Come farlo:
Slide the wide end of the tie (A) over the narrow end (B); bring (A) up through the loop around your neck, then back over (B), under (B), and through the knot laterally. Pull (A) up, under and through the loop, then over the partial knot. Pass (A) through the loop again, then through the knot. Tighten gently.
The Half Windsor Knot,
also known as the "Mezzo Scappino"
The half Windsor, known in Italy as the “mezzo Scappino,” is similar to the Windsor knot but involves one less wrapping. This makes it less conical than the Windsor. Being a full knot, it should be worn with a wide-collared dress shirt.
How to tie it:
After passing the wide end (A) over the narrow end (B) and through the loop created around the neck, place (A) on the semi-formed knot and pull up through the loop. Insert into the knot and tighten gently.
The Pratt Knot,
Made Famous by Shelby
The knot was created by Jerry Pratt, an employee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in the 1980s. Pratt used it for about twenty years before Don Shelby, a well-known TV personality, showcased it on television, making it popular.
The Pratt knot is easy to tie and works well with shorter ties. This method creates a symmetrical and well-balanced knot.
How to tie it:
After passing the wide end (A) over the narrow end (B) and through the loop around your neck, place (A) on the semi-formed knot and pull up through the loop. Insert into the knot and tighten gently.