PATRICK Lane has been surrounded by menswear for as long as he can remember.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
His shop – Ken Lane Menswear in High Street – was originally his grandfather’s, and he’s seen many walk through the doors asking one simple thing.
Mr Lane shows people how to tie a neck tie, every single day; sometimes even a few times a day.
“It’s probably the number one question we get,” he said.
“I think it’s mainly people just being a bit apprehensive that it’s going to be really tough.”
For those a little unsure of where to start, Mr Lane has shed some light on the double Windsor knot.
According to him, it’s as simple as it sounds – being a ‘double’ Windsor, you wrap both sides of the tie.
“So if you think about it like that; you wrap one side, then you wrap the other side, and then you wrap the whole tie; it sort of makes it a bit easier to think about,” he said.
“Like anything, practise makes perfect.”
Related content:
His top tip is to keep the tension right throughout the process.
“Make sure when you’re wrapping the tie that you keep tension in the knot,” he said.
“Don’t do it too loose because if you do it too loose you will lose the length of the tie and when you finish, the tie will be too short.
“So the key is really to keep tension in the knot.
“Keep pinching it as you go and keep holding it to keep the knot taut so you get the right length, and the knot sits really nicely and doesn’t get out of control.”
So, what is the ideal length?
Just above your belt, according to Mr Lane.
“We say somewhere between belly button and belt,” he said.
“When you’re looking to finish the tie, make sure it is just about touching your belt.
“Too far past the belt looks a bit silly, and too short, obviously you look a bit like Humphrey B. Bear.”
Anyone looking for a few extra tips, or to maybe tackle the bow tie, the staff members at Ken Lane Menswear are always on hand to help out.