What was an early necktie knot called?

An early necktie knot was called the Four-in-Hand knot. It is a simple, slightly asymmetrical knot that became popular in the 19th century and remains one of the most commonly used ways to tie a necktie.

The name is generally linked to four-in-hand carriage driving, in which one driver controlled a team of four horses. Coachmen are often said to have used a practical slip-style knot to keep their neckwear secure while driving. The term may also have been associated with London’s Four-in-Hand Club, so the exact origin of the name is not completely certain.

The knot’s rise accompanied the transition from elaborate cravats to the long, narrow necktie. It was easier and quicker to tie than ornate earlier neckwear, suited softer turned-down collars, and produced the slightly irregular shape that is now considered traditional. Charles Dickens’s 1867 public appearances are often connected with the emerging style.

A common mix-up is confusing the Four-in-Hand knot with the Windsor knot. The Windsor is wider, more symmetrical, and a later style associated with the Duke of Windsor; the Four-in-Hand is older, narrower, and usually preferred for everyday ties.