Which necktie knot is…
Easy to do,
Relatively small,
& pretty versatile?
Let me tell you – the Oriental Knot.
Not only does it have all 3 of those qualities…
It can save you lots of precious TIME…
If you’re not heading someplace that requires a super dressed-up ensemble, this knot is the way to go.
Just refer to the simple guide & infographic below.
Click here to watch the video – How To Tie The Oriental Knot
Click here to watch the video – The EASIEST Knot To Tie
The Oriental Knot is also known as the Simple Knot – and for good reasons. It’s easy to tie and requires just a relatively small amount of length (or material). You can get it done in under a minute without skipping a beat.
As you’ll see in the steps below, only 1 horizontal turn has to be made using the thick end of the tie. No fancy or confusing moves. And guess what? It’s a style that’s good enough for business-casual, social or other laid-back types of occasions.
Although it’s simple to do, this knot isn’t very well-known in the West. It’s popular in Asia (particularly China), and one of the reasons for this might be how the West is accustomed to four-in-hand and Windsor knots – which are “self-releasing.” Those knots can be untangled through a single pull at the tie. So that is the disadvantage of the Oriental Knot.
Another thing to note is this knot is asymmetrical – designed to lean toward the active end of the tie. And since it’s a compact size, it can appear quite small when pulled tight. But that’s exactly what makes it the perfect knot for (1) men with narrow faces and (2) taller guys who need some extra length. It works best specifically with thick neckties.
Note: About Tie Length
Back in the 1930s, neckties were very short – they would either stop at your belly button or fall short of reaching your waistline. Ties these days are normally tied longer, but remember that they should not go beyond the waistline since you want them to highlight your face.
Your face – not torso – should be “framed” by the tie in the best possible way. Only the top portion of the tie should be seen. This is especially important when wearing a jacket. If your tie happens to peak out from under the buttoning point, it’s going to look odd. You’ll end up losing a couple of stylish points.
Here are some key points to summarize the Oriental Knot:
- Size of the knot: Small
- Level of difficulty: Easy
- Formality: Business-casual, social
- Recommended collars: Point collars, smaller-sized collars
How To Tie A Tie: The Oriental Knot – Step #1
Drape the necktie around your collar with its backside exposed. The thick end should be hanging on your left, while the narrow end is on your right.
The Oriental Knot only requires you to move the thick end around, so make sure it hangs 2-3 inches lower than your desired finishing position.
How To Tie A Tie: The Oriental Knot – Step #2
Bring the thick end over the right side, crossing behind the narrow end. Ensure that you have a firm grasp of the intersection point between both ends with one hand. This is where the actual knot begins.
How To Tie A Tie: The Oriental Knot – Step #3
Wrap the thick end around the narrow end – passing horizontally across the front of the knot from right to left. The thick end should now have its front side exposed.
How To Tie A Tie: The Oriental Knot – Step #4
Slip a finger to create some space between the X-shaped intersection point (Step #2) and the horizontal band created by the thick end. You’ll be passing the thick end through it later on.
Now bring the thick end upward, passing from underneath the loop around your collar. Flip the tip downward so as to prepare it for the next step.
How To Tie A Tie: The Oriental Knot – Step #5
Feed the thick end right through the horizontal gap that was made in Step #4. The tip should be pointed straight downward.
How To Tie A Tie: The Oriental Knot – Step #6
Pull the thick end all the way through the horizontal gap and snug it down firmly. At this point, all seams should be covered (either by the thick end or by your collar). The narrow end should be hidden entirely behind the thick end.
The shape of the knot is now finished, and it should hold together without your help. Keep the tie orderly by pulling the narrow end through the built-in loop on the back of the thick end.
Note: To adjust the necktie, hold the knot with one hand while pulling gently on the narrow end with the other hand.
Congratulations! You’ve just completed your own Oriental Knot. It’s a simple, reliable choice for men who like a smaller structured tie knot. You can count on it to work amazingly well for business-casual and social events.