The tie is an accessory that can dress up a smart-casual outfit some more. It will take you up a notch in the fashion department whether you wear it with a full suit or just a shirt.

Some jobs will require you to wear a tie, and this is probably what puts people off the idea of wearing one in casual environments, but it has an even greater effect when worn casually, because so few of us do this. There are many different styles of casual ties that are great for wearing on a night out or on a first date.

But first you have to know how to tie one.

At some point we all will be required to wear a tie, whether it’s for a wedding, a job or for a night out . But how do you tie a tie? To answer that question, I’ve drawn up these step-by-step instructions to 18 tie knots to help you.

Clear illustrations and simple directions make learning how to tie a tie easy. Choose from how to tie a Windsor tie like James Bond or shoot for the classic Four-in-Hand. Just take a look below, then start practicing in front of a mirror.