How to Tie a Simple Tie Knot (a.k.a., Oriental Knot)

Looking for the perfect tie knot for men of modest proportions? This tutorial on the Simple Tie Knot is just for you!

The Simple Tie Knot, also popularly known as the Oriental Knot or Kent Knot, is a popular tie knot across Asia, especially in China.

It involves far fewer steps than other tie knots, and this makes it quick to tie and easy to remember.

Given its small size and slight asymmetry, the Simple Tie Knot is appropriate for both work and social events.

When Should You Use This Knot?

Simple Tie Knots are smaller than other tie knots, which is why they’ll look best when you wear them on ties with thicker fabrics and pair them with narrow to medium spread collars.

Its small size also makes it perfect for svelte gents. Men with narrow faces will find this knot pretty flattering as well.

Since this knot doesn’t use up a lot of the tie’s fabric, it works great on shorter ties. For the same reason, tall men (who typically find normal ties to be too short) will find this knot quite handy too.

When Should You Not Use This Knot?

Avoid tying this knot on silk ties. The flat and narrow shape of this knot doesn’t work well on them.

If you’re looking for a knot that can be untied with just a single pull, the Simple Tie Knot is not for you. Those used to the Four in Hand and Windsor Knot will find untying this knot particularly frustrating.

The small size of this knot also makes it unsuitable for wide spread collars and cutaway collars because of the large gap it creates between the knot and the collar.

Depending on the fabric composition of your tie, you may find that this knot needs to be re-tightened frequently, which can make it quite bothersome.

All of this in mind, we still think you should give the Simple Tie Knot a try!

How to Tie the Simple Tie Knot

Here's how to do it, step by step…

Drape the tie around your neck with the back side facing out (the opposite of what you’re probably used to).

Have the wide end rest about 12 inches below the narrow end.

Cross the narrow end over the wide end.

Now guide the wide end over the narrow end and pull it to the side.

Then wrap the wide end under the narrow end and pull it to the side.

Then take the wide end up and through the loop around your neck.

Then slide it through the opening at the front of your loop.

Tighten the knot by tugging gently on the wide end.

Then hold the narrow end and push the knot upwards. Your Simple Tie Knot is now complete.

To keep things tidy, slide the narrow end through the keeper loop behind the wide end of your tie.

If your tie is hanging below your belt line, reduce the initial distance between the wide and narrow end when you first drape them around your neck. If it’s above your belt line, increasing the initial distance should help.

Conclusion

The Simple Tie Knot is an easy to remember knot that you can wear to both formal and social events.

Though extremely popular in Asia, it’s not often sported in the West. So if you choose to wear this knot, you can be certain that its understated elegance will make you stand out from the pack.