Whenever I attend events where people wear neckties, I usually encounter a number of men who don’t really seem to know how to properly tie a tie. The knot is loose and flat and even looks a bit sloppy.
In this post, I will show you how you can create an elegant-looking tie knot every time, with any knot in seconds: Introducing the Tie Dimple!
To make things easier, I created a video where I show you exactly how a dimple is tied and what options you have to create your unique tie knot. It works with any kind of tie — no matter whether it is a silk tie, knit tie, wool tie etc…
Don’t forget, if you like the video give us a thumbs up and leave a comment. Thank you! If you have a suggestion for another video – I am all ears.
Always Opt For The Dimple
Basically, there are 2 ways to tie a tie knot, one with a dimple and one without. The people who usually tie a tie without a dimple are the ones who don’t really know there’s a different way to do it and oftentimes, it just happens to be that way, especially when the tie knot is rather loose. On the other hand, men who really know how to dress prefer a dimple in their tie because it gives the tie dimension. It gives a three dimensional sense, it’s elegant, it’s slightly different every time and it just adds character to your tie knot.
Let’s get started. First you flip up your collar. You want to have the top button of your shirt unbuttoned. Then, you just throw the tie around your neck, adjust the length, turn down your collar and button it. Make sure your back end has the right length. For me, it’s about a button up from my waistband, but it depends on what kind of pants you wear, how long your tie is and how long your torso is — so you simply have to figure it out. Next stop, tie the knot. It works with every knot.
The way to tie a tie without a dimple is like this, simply pull your tie through and this is the way a tie looks without the dimple. You can see the knot is very loose, there’s nothing there. It looks like a 13 year old just tied his tie.
How To Tie A Tie With A Center Dimple
You tie your tie just like you always do up until the part where you put the long end, the wide end, through the knot. Now, pull it gently so it’s always all the way down and then, you reach in with your fingers and you create a little gap in there. You can hold it in together with your fingers then gently pull it through. You’ll see it’ll form a dimple at the bottom of your tie and you adjust it. Now you pull the short end and bring it all the way up to your collar. Voila! the dimple.
How To Tie A Tie With A Side Dimple
Here’s another variation of the center dimple. Basically what you do is get in and you just make a little fold on the side you want the dimple on, and then you pull through the wide end through the knot. So basically, you get a dimple slightly to the side. You can do it with either side, you don’t need to pinch at the top and that way you can add a little variation to your tie knots and tie it the way you like it. Thank you!
You can also find this tutorial on How To Tie A Dimple on Youtube.
Excellent video. I tried it and worked perfectly.
Perfect!
Very instructive video. But it is funny to see whether a tie with a dimple is acceptable or not. In the Netherlands Im a member of very old and respectable Gentlemen’s club. If you show up there with a “dimple tie” most members will grumble that you are a man that does not know how to tie his tie in a proper way.
And remember: never a dimple in a regimental tie!!! Even not when you were an officer in The Irish Dimples.
That’s a very important point Dr. van Hees. If you happen to be traveling it’s wise to find out about local customs and etiquette ahead of time. Here in America, I doubt if most people even know the tie they are wearing is a “regimental” and that it has the stripes backwards. ;-)
Prince Charles wears a dimple with regimental ties regularly. Please elaborate a bit more on your opinion, thanks.
Dear Sven,
Concerning the dimple in the Regimental tie of the Prince of Wales I can only say the he is the Prince of Wales, so he can afford himseff to walk the sharp edge of the rules.
A very good illustration of the taste of the Royals was given by an old aristocratic English lady, who was pondering on the subject of taste of the British upper class and the “Taste” of the Royal Familiy. Her comment was quite immortal: “But, my dear, the Royals never had any taste at all”.
Do I need to say more?
I would definately say that those men are wrong. A tie with a dimple is almost objectively more good looking. Practically every single well dressed man since the invention of the tie has used the dimple.
I think I have to agree with you. Those members who grumble about a dimple in a tie, are indeed the old grumblers. A lot of people call the Dutch “progressive”, or modern. Well, I can assure you that in certain fields the Dutch are as conservative and old fashioned as hell, and in the field of a gentleman’s wardrobe, 99 % has no taste at all.
Love your stuff, but could not stop staring at your wrinkled shirt. :-(
It looks more wrinkled in the footage than it actually was. I will make sure to press it properly next time…
Great catch Tony! I was noticing the loose threads on the collar button and buttonhole… what we used to call “Irish pennants” on our Marine uniforms. Fingernail clippers or good mustache scissors are excellent for getting rid of those. :-)
Otherwise, a great video Raphael! I had been putting a dimple in by pinching at the bottom after snugging the knot but I think your suggestion of going from the top as you tighten is more seamless and likely to stay put better. Thank you!
Great job on the video.
The dimple has always been to me a sign that someone took that extra bit of time to look their best.
Congratulations for the video.
Actually it could be the start from a series “Different options to tie a tie”, beside the plain, the Windsor and the Pratt, which type do you think it is more elegant?
I make my dimple under the knot. When I tighten up the knot, I use my thumb and tall finger on the sides. I use my index finger to form an indentation. Perhaps my dimples are too perfect and symmetrical, but works except with skinny ties.
That’s exactly the problem with your method. It doesn’t always work. The method in the video even works with skinny ties ;).
Your method of pinching at the top of the knot seems to be foolproof.
After more than 50 years of pinching at the bottom, I’ve switched.
Thanks for the hint.
Wow, that’s impressive. Changing habits after 50 years is quite something. It just shows that there are always new ways to do things. I feel quite humbled. Thanks for sharing!
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ”
― Alvin Toffler
Foolproof sequence for ironing a shirt:
Before I went away to college in 1961, my mother told me in no uncertain terms that this was the way to do it. I have followed her instructions to the letter since then.
Collar, yoke, cuffs, sleeves, right front panel, back, left front panel:
1. Start with the collar. (If you finish with the collar, you will crease the upper halves of the right and left front panels of the shirt and have to touch them up.)
2. Iron the yoke.
3. Iron both cuffs.
4. Iron the sleeves. (If you finish with the sleeves, you will crease the upper halves of the right and left front panels of the shirt and have to touch them up.)
5. Iron the right front panel
6. Iron the back.
7. Iron the left front panel.
8. Fasten the top and third buttons, and leave the shirt to cool and air. This will allow the final vestige of moisture to evaporate and prevent creasing.
Thanks! That’s a good tutorial.
My (late) mother must have gone to the same school as your’s, as this is exactly the way she taught me.
Nice to see it presented so succinctly
@Sven: love your site. It has reawakened my interest in dressing well again.
A necktie without a dimple is like a pair of trousers without a belt, a button down shirt with the collar points unbuttoned, or an unzipped fly.
Well said!
I really love this site and all articles of yours. You are the today’s true ARBITER ELEGANTIAE.
Grazie Alessio!
Thanks, it’s very useful. I had couple dimpleproof ties and now I don’t. This method allow to create really nice dimple!
Old School’s tutorial was quite interesting.
How about a post about ironing/pressing?
This instruction video is great! I am fairly new to the beautiful world of dressing like a grown man and always struggled creating a dimple. Those times are finally over, thanks for that Raphael!
Beste Grüße aus Hamburg ;-)
Glad to hear that! Please share it with your fellow chaps!
Thank you for the great instruction Sven Raphael. Now I can tie my knot the way I always wanted to!
I like this video I personally pinch my tie at the bottom of the knot once through the last loop it gives me more play to adjust the dimple I have found that the material of the tie makes a difference as well thin silk ties make the best dimples thick ties make good dimple with Windsor knots paired with spread collars and collar stays.
A great video. Thank you. My ties are always dimpled not and look lovely.