A Gent's Guide on How to Tie a Tie for the Wedding Day

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Don't let the crisscrossing confuse you or the looping throw you for a loop: You and your groomsmen are perfectly capable of nailing any knot, whether it's a bow tie, four-in-hand knot, Pratt knot, half-Windsor knot, or Windsor knot. Start here with these video tutorials.

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Bow Tie

It can be debonair or playful. Either way, donning a bow tie will get you noticed at a wedding soirée.

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Four-in-Hand Knot

Because of its simple steps, this slightly off-center narrow necktie knot has been dubbed the "schoolboy knot." That, however, doesn't make it look any less grown-up. Consider this your go-to for button-down dress shirts.

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Pratt Knot

Somewhat of a lone wolf in this group, the tidy, symmetrical Pratt knot is tied inside-out. Also called the "Shelby knot," or "Pratt-Shelby," the knot is ideal for both tall men and short ties because it uses less of the tie's length.

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Half-Windsor Knot

Also known as the "single-Windsor," ties worn this way are noted for their neat, triangular shape, which isn't completely symmetrical. This is because they are only wrapped around the loop on one side, unlike the Windsor knot, which goes around both.

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Windsor Knot

Last but not least is the biggest of the brethren, the symmetrical, wide Windsor knot, also referred to as the "full-Windsor" or "double-Windsor" to distinguish it from its little brother, the half-Windsor. Because of its size, the Windsor fits well in the frame of a spread or cutaway collar.

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