5 Unique Ways to Tie Your Tie

Written by Gavin Humphreys

A necktie is an underestimated garment.

It’s an accessory that can give flair to your style.

Many people do this by choosing colors, patterns, materials, or adornments - but why not the knot?

The knot you make can make the difference. There are many unique, special, and underused knots out there - that you could be using to stand out from the crowd.

Two major factors come into play - knowledge and skill. You can know the steps to tie a great knot, but not be able to pull it off (you might just need more practice). Or you could be creative, and dexterous with your hands, but simply not know many knots!

First, why and when would you use these knots?

Why tie your tie in a unique way

Unique knots are great for any event where you want to stand out. It could be an awards ceremony, a fancy meal, or an evening at the theater.

And for a wedding - especially if you are the groom. It looks great if the groom and groomsmen go for matching ties and knots.

If you find a knot that you love, it can become your signature look.

When it comes to a big event, I’m in a rush. It’s too late to learn a knot! These knots need planning. You should practice them and leave time on the big day to do it properly.

I chose five styles that really stood out to me as unique. I looked for knots which were unusual, but smart.

They will start you on a journey.

After learning them all for this blog, I am going to be using them in the future, no doubt at all. Hopefully you will too!

So let’s get to it.

Eldredge Knot

This is arguably the most difficult of all the knots in this blog.

The origins of this knot go far far back in time - all the way to 2007. A gentleman called Jeffrey Eldridge from Salt Lake City, Utah, (no doubt with a little extra time on his hands) invented this fine knot.

This is the ultimate knot for weddings. This will make the groom stand out and will look great in photos.

If done right.

It is also easy for this knot to look a mess. Practice it well before the day. It has to be done slowly and precisely - or it looks awful.

When you perfect it, however, it looks pretty damn majestic. Its beauty comes from the way each layer neatly slides under the last.

It’s a big knot, so not necessarily for a black-tie event. It’s about having fun and making a statement.

The guys at Ties.com have a smashing little guide to tying the Eldredge Knot.

Atlantic Tie Knot

From the most difficult to the simplest of the five.

The Atlantic Tie Knot is gorgeous and understated, while at the same time being totally unique.

If this were architecture, it would be minimalist, contemporary.

It’s basically a backward knot. Despite that simplicity, it immediately stands out. It’s very unusual looking.

It will take you a minute to learn this knot, but it takes some practice to get it looking perfect.

Watch out for one thing - because of the way it’s shaped, the thin end tends to peak out behind the thick end at the top. Choose your tie carefully. Look for one where the thick end is able to come out of the knot with a flourish - and cover the thin end.

Another tip is to tie the tie close to the neck. That way, the horizontal line at the bottom looks (kind of) flat - if you tie it further down, it comes out squint. Because of this little imperfection in the knot, it looks better to keep the bottom semi-hidden so that the focus is on that lovely cross at the top (as I did in the photo above).

Don’t tighten the knot until the last minute - and do so carefully. Tugging on both sides affects differently, so you will want to play around with it.

I used this infographic to tie the Atlantic Knot on 101knots, which clearly guides you. There is also a quick video from HowToTieATie YouTube channel.

This is the most subtle of the five - you could get away with this one at work, without looking like an attention seeker.

If you do love attention, like some Greek millionaire, the next one is for you.

Onassis Knot

Aristotle Onassis had one of the biggest fortunes in the world, and led the way in sophisticated style. He was also famous for being popular with the ladies.

He invented this unusual knot in the ’60s. It is stunning in its simplicity.

It’s basically a the tie knot we all know, not tucked in at the end. That’s it.

Combined well, with a nice waistcoat or suit, this is eye-catching and chic.

You have to wear it with confidence, though. It can look a little bit like a bank-teller in the Wild West, unless you have the swagger.

Choice of tie is crucial for this one.

A simple tie gives balanced, bold straight lines.

It makes an ordinary paisley-pattern tie look like a cravat.

It can make a thick woolen or tweed tie look like a scarf. On a winter’s day - why not?

I found this succinct video guide to the Onassis Knot from FashionBeans.

Trinity Knot

The trinity knot is a concept often associated with Celtic art, so if you want the luck of the Irish, the trinity knot is for you.

This is a striking knot. You might wear it for a day at the races, or for giving a speech on St. Patrick’s night.

This is also a nice one for a wedding - since it resembles the Celtic knot, which is an endless knot, symbolic of eternity.

The secret is to adjust it carefully and tighten it well at the end. You want it to look even and as small as possible so that it’s not unsightly. Get the joining point of the three parts dead-center.

A negative, if you’re a perfectionist like me, is that you might need to keep adjusting the knot over the course of the evening.

This is one of those knots which tucks in under the collar, so you will want to make sure it doesn’t slip out after you’ve had a couple of Irish Whiskeys!

Check out the guys at Otaa with their great description of how to easily create your Trinity Knot.

The Ediety Knot

Finally, this is the jaw-dropper. Heads will turn as you walk in the room.

It looks like something an elegant 19th Century Eastern European count might wear. This can be a classy statement, combined with the right three-piece suite - or even better, with a tailcoat.

Although it was documented as far back as the 1920s, it was The Matrix trilogy which made it famous - in fact, it’s now more commonly known as the Merovingian Knot, after the character of the same name. (If you know how it got its Ediety name, leave me a comment - it stumped me!)

You absolutely need a waistcoat for this one - the ends are a bit funny, and you need to hide them.

You might consider wearing this to a ball. Or the opera perhaps?

This is a complicated knot, and you will need to take your time and get it just right.

It’s best to tie the tie as close to your neck as you can - it’s a little funny to adjust. You can adjust, however, by pulling on the skinny end at the front.

Again, follow the instructions from Otaa and you will get there with your Ediety Knot. The guys at 101knots also have a helpful infographic.

It’s knot over

Try out these knots - and why not look for more? You could even invent your own knot!

So go on, get knotted.

If you would like to find out more about tie pins and other accessories, check out my colleague Tigre’s blog A Beginner’s Guide to Tie Pins, Tie Clips, and Tie Bars.

Also, although we never even touched on neckerchiefs today, the kerchief is a very versatile addition to the gentleman’s wardrobe - so you want to check out my blog on 38 practical uses!

Finally, if you want some belts or shoes to combine with these amazing knots for a big event - be sure to check out our catalog.

Did I miss anything out? Be sure to leave me a line below, telling me what your favorite necktie knot is, and what you would like me to talk about next.