The Art Of Tying An Austrian String Tie

Tying an Austrian string tie is a simple process that can add a level of professionalism and elegance to your outfit. Whether you're attending a wedding, a business meeting, or a social event, knowing how to tie this type of tie will allow you to sport a polished look in just a few minutes. In this guide, you'll learn the steps to tie an Austrian string tie, as well as some tips to help you master this skill. So, get your mirror ready and let's begin!

How to start an Austrian string tie

To start an Austrian string tie, begin by hanging the tie across the back of your neck, with equal-length ends. Cross one side over the other, then tie a simple knot, tucking the longer end behind the neck loop. Pull the knot snug, as its location will determine where the final knot lies.

Cross the ends

Crossing the ends is the first step in tying an Austrian string tie. Begin by hanging the tie across the back of the neck, with equal-length ends. For clarity, we'll refer to the ends as A and B. Cross one side over the other. In this case, A crosses in front of B. Now, you'll move on to creating a simple knot.

To tie the simple knot, take end A and cross it back over B, pulling B to the other side. At this point, end A will be at the centre and will be the visible portion of the final knot. The next step involves holding end B straight down and pulling end A back behind B.

Now, you'll take end A and feed it back through the loop created in the previous steps. You may need to switch hands to do this smoothly. Pull end A carefully through the knot and adjust the lengths of ends A and B so that they are roughly the same. You can smooth out the front of the knot before pulling it tight. Finally, snug up the knot to your liking. With practice, you'll be able to achieve your preferred style of knot consistently.

Tie a simple knot

To tie a simple knot, you'll first want to hang the tie across the back of your neck, ensuring that the ends are of equal length. We'll call these ends A and B.

Now, cross one side over the other. For example, you can take end A and cross it in front of end B.

Next, tie a simple knot by tucking end A behind the neck loop. Ensure that this knot is reasonably snug, as its location will determine where the final knot lies.

Now, take end A and cross it back over end B, pulling B to the other side. The portion of end A that's at the centre will be the visible portion of the final knot.

At this point, you're ready to start tightening the knot. Hold end B straight down, and pull end A back behind end B.

Finally, take the end of A and feed it back through the loop you created in the previous steps. You may need to switch hands to do this. Pull the end of A carefully through the knot, and then carefully pull on ends A and B to get them to roughly the same length.

You can now adjust the knot to your liking. Practice makes perfect, so keep trying until you can consistently tie the style of knot you like!

Cross ends again

Now, cross the ends again. This time, take the right end (end A) and cross it over the left end (end B). Imagine you are making an "X" with the two ends. This step is similar to what you did at the very beginning when you first crossed end A over end B.

Now, take end A and wrap it behind end B. You are essentially crossing end A under and around end B, so it sits in front of end B again. This movement should create a half-knot, similar to the first steps of tying your shoelaces.

Next, bring end A over to the left side again. At this point, end A should be wrapped around end B, with its tip pointing in the opposite direction of the initial cross.

Now, take end A and bring it up through the neck loop. You are pulling it through the opening at your neck, so it lays on the same side as end B, but with the wrong side facing out.

Finally, bring end A through the loop at the front of the collar. This will create a complete knot. You can adjust the symmetry and tightness of the knot by gently sliding it upward with one hand while holding the tails of the tie with your other hand.

Pull ends to the same length

Pulling the ends to the same length is the final step in tying an Austrian string tie. This step ensures that the tie is neat and even, and that both ends hang at the same level.

To do this, hold the dangling parts of the tie with one hand, and use your other hand to carefully slide the knot up towards the collar until it is snug. Then, lower the collar.

It is important to note that this step should be done gently, as you do not want to undo the intricate steps that came before. It is also a good idea to smooth out the front of the knot before pulling it tight.

Practising this step, as well as the previous steps, is key to perfecting the technique and achieving a stylish Austrian string tie.

Frequently asked questions