Bill Clinton, David Beckham, Jay-Z, and Prince Michael of Kent walk into a bar...

Actually, why even try to finish that joke when the title of this blog is already so clever. It's based on an article I wrote for the Financial Times noting the recent resurgence of thick tie knots. While big, thick knots have been the norm in Italy for the past few years, the trend has slowly crept stateside. It was something I noticed but didn't feel the need to write about until I saw Bill Clinton stumping for Hillary with a giant orange knot under his giant red face. Given the absolute lack of personal expression in most politicians' wardrobe choices -- navy suit, white shirt, red tie anyone? -- it struck me as something worth investigating. You can read the article in full here.  

How to tie it

The fashionably fat tie knot can be achieved in two ways. The first, and easiest, is to buy a tie constructed of a thicker material. The second, opting for the full Windsor tie knot, might require a bit of practice.

Here's how: Drape the tie round your neck so that the wider blade of the tie is about a foot longer than the narrow blade.

Loop the wider blade under the narrow blade on your right side. Slide the wider blade under the narrow end. Bring the wider blade over the knot and under the narrow part on the right side of your neck.

Pull the wide end down and cross it over the narrow blade. Bring the wider blade under the narrower part of the tie on the left side of your
neck, then slide the wider blade tip through the knot. Pull the wider blade down. Tighten the knot snugly against your neck.