Most of the time, I go with a half Windsor.
Gentleman:
It seems the Windsors (half & full), are leading here so far in 'knots' (wink), but I can't understand why in the world Bond ("From Russia, with Love", pg 219), said of Windsors;
"Bond mistrusted anyone who tie his with a Windsor knot. It showed too much vanity. It is often a mark of a cad".
Kind of harsh wouldn't you say, "old man" (also pg 219)? James probably had a case of 'arrested
(get it?), development'.
"A true gent will always wear his [tie] well". Mr. Coward
MntnMan62I understand where Bond is coming from. I favor the four in hand but have tried wearing the windsor. The Windsor's large knot just seems overdone to me. I've worn suits through my entire career and during the last 10 years I would often wear french cuffs. And yet I still wear the four in hand. I didn't know that Bond said that, which is probably attributed to Ian Fleming. When I see someone wearing a windsor it appears to me that they are trying too hard or hiding behind that massive knot. There is nothing worse than a massive knot that is loosely tied. And I've seen many a windsor tied that way. I think ultimately I find a four in hand less pretentious than the windsor and that may be where the Bond comment comes from. In the end, does it really matter? We each wear what we like and feel most comfortable in. Same thing with shaving. We use whatever implements and softwear that we feel more comfortable with. But ssssshhhhhhhh [I won't tell]. Don't tell anyone, but the four in hand is better.
When I was a kid I figured out my own knot and tied it every time for 30 years. I called it the super easy knot because it's the simplest possible tie knot that looks decent. Just this week I learned that it's called the Oriental knot.
I've been looking for a different knot because the Oriental tends to pull itself off to the side over time. I tried a Pratt today. It stayed in the center and I like it, but I prefer asymmetrical knots so I'm going to keep trying other knots.
Half Windsor's on deck for tomorrow.My half windsor knots also end up off to one side. And I like it that way. Maybe try a half windsor.
Full Windsor is way too big for me. I only use two knots: Half Windsor and 4iH. Nice, easy, elegant.
Thumbs up on the Half Windsor. It'll be good for taking up the excess length of my longer ties and for a more substantial knot for ties with very thin material. But the Pratt will be my go-to for most ties from now on.Half Windsor's on deck for tomorrow.