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While the desire to dress up in a formal capacity may grow and fall over time, the business casual revolution has taken men's attire by storm, and rightfully so.
After all, who wouldn't want to look their best, without feeling (according to their own standards) limited by the nature of men's formal attire? The knitted tie.
There are few items that can help a gentleman dress up a casual outfit or dress up a formal ensemble like the knitted tie.
The rise of the knitted tie was synchronous with the evolution of business casual attire, as the knitted tie can be considered the epitome of " Casual Dapper".
Knitted ties can enhance any look with a variation in texture and a sense of casual elegance!
Whether you're looking to dress elegantly for an evening with friends or a romantic date, or seeking refined yet relaxed elegance for your next cocktail party.
A knitted tie can suit you on a wide range of occasions, while drawing attention to your outfit, which other combinations might not necessarily do.
This comprehensive guide to the knitted tie presents the anatomy of a knitted tie, the circumstances in which it can be worn (almost always), and how to wear it to achieve maximum effect when dressing smartly or casually!
A knitted tie, as the name suggests, is a tie that has been knitted rather than woven.
Knitted ties are characterized by an open weave, a narrow blade (usually around 6-6.5 cm) and square ends (as opposed to the triangular and pointed ends you usually see with a jacquard weave or printed silk twill ties).
These same characteristics make a knitted tie an ideal tie for a casual outfit.
Knitted ties can have a crisp texture and finish, or a smoother finish.
Crispier knit ties, as we'll see below, add more textural variation to your outfits, as well as depth, and are more appropriate for formal settings (although they can certainly be worn informally!), while softer knit ties are better suited to more relaxed events.
However, please note that while crisp knit ties can be worn in more formal settings, they should not be worn for everyday work, a job interview, or a black-tie event.
The most formal occasions should be reserved for traditional ties.
High-quality knitted ties are made of silk, but wool and cashmere are also available.
Like its counterparts in woven or printed silk, the knitted silk tie can be worn all year round without detracting from your outfits!
While knitted silk ties can be worn year-round, knitted wool and linen ties are best suited to the winter and summer seasons respectively, given their unique characteristics in terms of insulation, weight, and texture!
Wool knit ties are made from a heavier fabric, as wool has more insulating properties. Wool knit ties also add textural variation and depth to your outfits, making them ideal for layering during the fall and winter seasons.
Linen knit ties, like their standard counterparts, will breathe more easily thanks to the linen fabric, and will also be lighter, making them ideal for the spring/summer seasons.
It's important to note that there are plenty of knitted ties made from synthetic materials on the market, such as polyester, but you should be wary of them. The texture will obviously be closer to plastic, which will affect the overall drape and breathability of the tie!
However, the type of occasion for which you are dressing should also be taken into consideration. In this regard, a 2.5-inch knitted tie almost always works, as it is the perfect blend between the width required for a more formal event (generally over 3 inches) and what can work in more casual settings (around 2 inches).
Since knitted ties are rectangular in shape and therefore have the characteristic of not tapering towards the top of the torso, the width of the tie you choose is all the more important as it can unbalance the proportions of your body.
If you are of slim build, a knitted tie around 6 cm should work best, while if you are slightly larger, 6.5 cm will be optimal for you.
The reason we would opt for narrower ties compared to their silk counterparts and formal ties is that knitted ties are generally used on less formal occasions.
In this respect, a narrower width gives an impression of nonchalance, which is perfect for informal occasions.
However, the type of occasion for which you are dressing should also be taken into consideration. In this regard, a 6.5 cm knitted tie almost always does the job, as it is the perfect blend between the width required for a more formal event (usually over 7.5 cm) and what can work in more casual settings (around 5 cm).
With the growing popularity of knitted ties, these unique men's fashion accessories are now available in a wide range of patterns, including solids, stripes, polka dots, anchors, zigzag stripes, among others.
Their unique finish, texture, shape and suitability for a casual environment have allowed the introduction of tie patterns such as horizontal stripes and zigzag stripes that are not usually seen on more formal ties.
For those starting out with knitted ties, I suggest you start with a few plain ties, such as navy blue and burgundy, and then move on.
These exquisite solid-color pieces can be paired with a plain, striped, or micro-check shirt.
They can also suit more sophisticated clothing options such as polka dot or paisley patterned shirts.
This makes it the perfect accessory for a daytime event or an evening out!
Solid knit ties give an impression of relaxed and casual elegance.
Once you are more comfortable with knitted ties and matching tie patterns, striped, polka dot, and other patterned knitted ties are exquisite and elegant pieces to add to your outfits!
Patterned knitted ties, such as the polka dot tie above, can really make your outfit stand out!
Since knitted ties are at the less formal end of the neckwear range, they can be used to dress up a suit or enhance a more casual outfit.
While knitted ties are not typically worn in formal business settings, they are ideal for less formal and casual outfits , such as chinos with a button-down shirt and blazer at a wedding or party!
Knitted ties go perfectly with casual outfits!
Since knitted ties are casual in nature, they pair best with more relaxed outfits.
Replacing a woven silk tie with a knitted tie while keeping your formal suit and dress shoes is not the best option.
Chinos, casual jeans, and even jeans are ideally worn with knitted ties, given the difference in texture between knitted ties.
Knitted ties look fantastic with casual outfits such as a denim shirt and cardigan.
Now that we've covered the basics of wearing a knitted tie, what style tips will help you arrive at your next party with your head and shoulders above the rest (if not literally, then at least figuratively!)?.
The following tips will help you maximize your casual yet elegant look, so you'll look like you're dressed like a prince without even trying!
Effortlessly chic. Who wouldn't want that? Seriously?
Given the casual nature of a knitted tie, in addition to its shape (rectangular) and texture (thicker with an open weave than standard silk ties).
A simple knot is your best option . Combine this knot with the other considerations below and you'll be well on your way to casual chic, effortless chic, or nonchalant chic!
Knitted ties, given their casual characteristics, are preferably worn with a simple knot.
If you are going for a more formal outfit for your evening, a knitted tie knot can work wonders, and will absolutely highlight the dapper side of your look.
A knitted tie knot can elevate your style to the next level!
One of the best ways to achieve a nonchalant look with a knitted tie is to let the back end of the tie (not the thin end in this case!) hang freely.
If you adjust the length of your tie before tying your knot, you can have the back end slightly longer than the front end, giving a casual yet elegant look that can only be achieved with a knitted tie!
Knitted ties can be just as stylish, if not more so, when worn outside of conventional rules!
If you wish to wear a knitted tie all year round, it is best to opt for lighter knitted ties in pastel colors during the spring and summer months, and for more earthy tones like olive green, burgundy and rust during the autumn and winter months!
And that's all for now! I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Knitted ties are one of my favorite types of ties, and they're a really fun way to get further into experimenting with your wardrobe.
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