The Windsor knot is one of the most popular method of tying ties. In general, it is a large and symmetric tie knot that is particularly appropriate for usage with wide collar shirts and is not suitable for narrow collar shirts. Furthermore, a tie that is made out of thick wool is not appropriate for this method – the knot will simply be too large.

 
Here are the instructions for tying the Windsor Knot:

 

1. Start from your right side and take the wide end of the tie. Extend it roughly a foot underneath the narrow end of the tie.
   

2. Take the wide end and cross it over the narrow end of the tie.
   

3. Take the wide end and pull it through the resulting loop.
   

4. Take the wide end above the narrow end, and insert the wind end through the loop (personally I find this step confusing, I hope you are not).
   

5. Wrap the wide end of the tie around the tie’s front.
   

6. After you finish wrapping around the front of the tie, take the wide end of the tie and pull it through the loop. At this point the tie knot should look like a triangle when you tighten it.
   

7. Finally, pull the wide end through the knot in the front of the tie. Make sure the knot is tightened by pulling the wide end while holding the knot in place.
   

 
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It is believed that tie (more specifically, necktie) usage began sometime in the 17th century during the time of the Thirty Years’ War. Strangely enough, apparently the first people to have used this rather weird piece of clothing were Croatian mercenaries. Very quickly after the introduction of neckties, they became very popular and were worn both by men and women of the era.

 
In the following centuries neckties have evolved into a variety of types: the Cravat, the Four-in-hand, the Six-and seven-fold as well as the Clip-on tie. Not to mention other modern types of tie such as the ascot tie, the bow tie, and the Bolo tie. Although the length and width and even shape of the tie changed, the general concept remained the same.

 
Appropriately, dozens of ways of tying neckties have also appeared, there are almost a 100 ways – if not more – methods of tying ties, including the Pratt Knot, the half-Windsor knot, the Windsor knot, the Simple Double and many additional others.

 
The modern usage of neckties, specifically, as a part of formal attire began in late 19th century England in Oxford. Quickly this spread among other universities, first in England, and then the rest of the world.

 
Nowadays, many workplaces and universities, as well as some armies, consider wearing a necktie an essential part of their dress code. Normally this is only limited only to men.

 
Fortunately for us all, neckties are a pleasant addition to a man’s repertoire of clothing, and can make a well dressed fellow into a truly elegant looking, charming, man.