I will never forget the day I stumbled on this knot style when I bumped in a kind man in Mayfair and asked him in passing, which knot he was wearing as it had a decorative aesthetic. He said ‘Oh this? It’s the Eldredge knot’, and went on his way. Judging from his attire, it did seem as though he was on his way to a celebratory event, a wedding perhaps.
After a bit of research, I learnt how to do it myself. I found out that it was inspired by the Merovingian knot and created by Jeffrey Eldredge, who was bored of wearing the four in hand knot to work. Admittedly, I would wear this knot (very) sparingly and reserve it for special occasions… doesn’t being alive qualify!? Since it’s a fancy knot, my first port of call, would be to wear it with a solid coloured shirt, suit and allow the tie to take the centre stage in the spotlight (although in the video, I was being a bit experimental with the striped shirt and pastel pink tie).
It took a little practise to get right, which once you know the knot’s mechanical theory, it should be a breeze to do. A word of advice if I may, don’t apply this knot when you are in a rush.
So let’s begin with how to do this step by step…
- If you generally knot your tie with the blade on your right side then swap the tie around so that the tail is draping flat on your right side instead.
- Cross the tail over the blade to your left.
- Wrap the tail around the blade.
- Take the tail up and over through the noose from the front.
- Wrap the tail over the foundation you have just created and pull it under and through the noose.
- Bring the tail over and across the knot.
- Wrap the tail under and over the blade.
- Pull the tail through the loop and gently fasten.
- Now bring the tail over and under the noose.
- Wrap the tail over the knot and under the right side of the noose.
- Pull the tail through the loop created and gently fasten.
- Place the tail tidily under the noose or neck so that when you pull your collar down it is unexposed.
- Your exquisite elegant Eldredge knot is completed.
Did you give this knot a try? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Would be happy to hear from you.
-SG.