Learn to Tie a New Knot: The Pratt

Today I wanted to share with you a clever way to knot your necktie. This knot gives you a nice, symmetrical triangle without the extra heft and bulk of a Windsor knot. It also uses less of the tie length to form the knot, and is better suited for shorter ties than a Windsor. If you'd like to avoid the asymmetrical look of the four-in-hand, give the Pratt knot a try.

It is also known as the Shelby knot and the Pratt-Shelby. The knot was invented by Jerry Pratt, an employee of the US Chamber of Commerce. He had been wearing his tie in the Pratt knot for some twenty years before it became popular after TV personality Don Shelby wore it on air. The New York fashion press then promptly (and mistakenly) attributed the invention of the knot to Shelby.

One of the interesting things about this knot is that tying it begins with the tie "inside out" around one's neck, with the back of the tie showing rather than with the front of the tie showing as is most common. The video provided perfectly depicts how to tie this knot.
Give it a go!
Until next time,
Cheers!
-Paul
Photo 1 shows the finished product.