The Half Windsor is apparently named after 1930s trendsetter and royal maverick Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, who was obsessed with how he looked. Before abdicating from the throne, he insisted on breaking with tradition by facing left on coins bearing his image as he believed it was his better side. This knot must be a winner if it received his stamp of approval.
Tie the perfect half Windsor knot with our step-by-step video
A silk tie with a Half Windsor knot combined with a crisp shirt is a union that defines the term "sartorial elegance". From Beckham to Bond, any tie-wearer worth his salt opts for the Half Windsor. So if you don't want to be left in the collar-fashion wilderness, follow our guide on how to tie the knot.
- The start
First, turn your collar up and pass the tie around your neck before folding the collar back down. Make sure the wide blade of the tie is around 10 to 12 inches longer than the narrow tail.
- The hard part
Next, pass the wider section over the tail once, then back underneath before bringing it through the loop to create the knot. Fold the blade over the knot, back through the loop once again and tuck it inside the knot. Then gently pull the blade down before pinching the knot to create a neat triangle.
- Finish the job
You can then tighten by pulling the narrow tail while pushing the knot towards the top of the shirt. Before it reaches the collar, fasten the button and adjust to comfort. The result is a larger knot than the four-in-hand, but extremely smart all the same.
- How to wear it
The Half Windsor tends to suit a larger and more rounded face. When choosing your weapon, a diagonal striped tie goes well with a fresh white or blue shirt while a versatile solid silk number suits check, striped or unpatterned collars.
