Wearing a tie is a strong choice; it’s like wearing a kilt or mantilla. Ties separate the boys from the men, the leaders from the followers, and tying the perfect knot could put you ahead of the pack. A poorly tied necktie will easily put you on the worst-dressed offender, as will wearing one that’s too short, too long or so flimsy that it’s simply hanging off your neck like a drunk girl at Caprice.

The most common and popular way to tie a tie is by creating the full Windsor knot. This knot is symmetrical and large, and suits many wide collars such as the English spread. You can also pair it up with a dress shirt with a narrow collar such as the forward-point or snap-tab. This particular tie knot projects confidence and is suitable for corporate events, job interviews and politcal affairs.

Also known as a single Windsor knot, the half Windsor is a more modest version of the Windsor that looks neat and triangular. This knot is slightly larger than the Pratt and four-in-hand but smaller than the Windsor. It’s suitable when worn with most shirt collars and for most occasions.

Thanks to an ex-employee of the US Chamber of Commerce, Jerry Pratt, the Pratt knot has become one of the most favoured tie knots variations today. Also referred to as the Shelby knot, it is tidy and fairly wide, but not as wide as the full Windsor. This tie knot looks as though the reverse side is out and it’s best suited for taller men. You can wear it with any dress shirt.

We all know how to tie a simple schoolboy knot and some of us still use this four-in-hand method of knotting a tie. This knot is narrow, more discreet and asymmetrical compared to the others. It’s suited for standard button-down dress shirts and works best with neckties made from heavy fabrics. If you have a short neck then this option is for you as it stretches the perceived height of the neck.

The simple double knot is very similar to the four-in-hand, with only one more layover. This knot is also known as the Victoria or Prince Albert knot. It has a slightly thicker finish and can be worn with most shirts. It’s perfect for ties made from thicker fabrics. To make this knot you really require no skills. It has a larger and bolder shape compared to the other knots and suits men of any shape. It’s closely related to the four-in-hand and a lot of gents enjoy it because it’s self-releasing when it comes to home time.

Choose your tie knot, wear it with the perfect shirt collar, and dress it up with a lapel fit for a king.