Apparently, the four-in-hand knot was used by carriage drivers to keep their horses reigned in - something to bear in mind if you've ever thought about taking up chariot racing. But before you start hurling a lasso around a bucking bronco, pop your collar and try tying this stylish knot around your own neck.
Tie the perfect four-in-hand knot with our step-by-step video
If wrapping a tie around your neck is a work of art, the four-in-hand is Van Gogh's Sunflowers. It's simple, elegant and striking, although hopefully once you've finished constructing this masterpiece, you won't feel like cutting your ear off.
- The start
First off, with your collar up, pass the tie around the neck band. The wide blade of the tie should hang below the narrower tail by about ten inches.
- The hard part
Fold your collar down. Then take the wide blade and pass it over the narrower tail twice before passing it through the loop and tuck it inside the knot you've made. Pull the blade through to tighten and as you're tightening, put your index finger in the centre of the tie beneath the knot. This creates an attractive dimple.
- Finish the job
Tighten the knot by pulling on the narrower tail. Just before it reaches the top of the shirt, fasten your collar button and tighten again until the knot is comfortable on your neck. The result is a fairly triangular but very smart knot.
- How to wear it
The four in hand tends to suit narrower and more angular faces. If you're in any doubt as to what tie to wear, you can't go wrong with a solid silk tie - it will compliment any design of shirt, plain, striped or checked.
