Photo by Jozsef Hocza

Originally Posted On: Ultimate Knit Ties Guide – Art of The Gentleman

 

You might think there’s not much room in corporate America for a style that’s both unique and versatile. Thankfully, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, with just a single item of clothing, you can catch the eyes of people in the office and in the coffee shop on the weekend, too.

Knit ties are a great item to add to your wardrobe for a unique look that easily transitions from business professional to weekend casual. Read on to learn all about them!

What Are Knit Ties?

You have a lot of options when it comes to ties, but not all ties are created equal. If you’re tired of dull as dishwater polyester ties, then knit ties are the way to go.

Knit ties look exactly like you would think — they have a thick weave and add texture to any look. They’re typically made out of silk, cotton, or wool and can be just as dressy or casual as you would like them to be. Because of their thicker weave, they tend to have a thinner width than your average tie to balance out proportions.

The best thing about knit ties is that they add a bit of personality to your wardrobe while maintaining a classy, professional look. Before you write them off as being trendy, you should know that they’re actually a classic style worn by the likes of Daniel Craig in his James Bond role.

No Wrinkles Here

One of the biggest hassles of storing and traveling with standard ties is how easy it is for them to wrinkle. Knit ties are wrinkle-resistant and are great for going out of town for work. They’re also great for the man that is less than perfect at storing and caring for their expensive silk ties.

Choose Your Knot And Collar

Learning how to wear and pair your knit tie may seem like a challenge, but it’s actually super versatile. The first thing you’ll want to consider is what type of collar you’d like to wear it with and how you’d like to tie it.

There are quite a few ways to tie a tie, but not all knots work well with knit ties. Their slim width and soft fabrics make them a less than ideal candidate for any type of Windsor knot. Instead, knit ties lend themselves more readily to simple knots or the four-in-hand because they minimize bulk in the knot itself.

The smaller, slimmer knit tie calls for a collar that compliments it. You’ll want to avoid cutaway collars or wide style collars to make your look proportional. Opt for straight collars or button-downs to make it look great.

Wear Them For Business

If at first glance you think the knit tie to be too casual for a professional environment, then you might be surprised to learn they work quite well for professionals.

To start, try pairing a knit tie with a business suit in a solid color like gray or navy. For professional environments, you’ll want to opt for silk knits rather than wool knits to boost the formal aesthetic of the tie. Try pairing a striped navy knit tie with a navy suit for a traditional look that pops but doesn’t distract.

If your workplace allows for a little more style, mix in pale pink or purple collared shirts and experiment with patterns on your knit ties. Layer in a vest or a pocket square to complete your look.

Dress Them Down

If you work in a business casual environment, then you’ll have more flexibility to experiment with different styles of knit ties. Start by pairing a smart blazer or tweed jacket with chinos. From there, you’ll have a wide range of options to look dapper at work.

Experiment with mixing up colors and prints. Try a pinstripe blazer with a colorful striped shirt and a two-tone knit tie. Add in a boutonniere a shade or two lighter than your tie, and you’ll be turning heads.

If you want to advance your style, then try a checked tweed jacket with a tonal vest, striped shirt, and a knit tie in a complementary color. Don’t be afraid to mix prints!

 

Go Super Casual

Want to get more bang for your buck when it comes to ties? Transition them to weekend wear, too.

Skip the jackets and pair a colorful wool knit tie with a button-down shirt and vest. Go cool casual by layering a button-down shirt with a long cardigan or utility jacket, skinny jeans, and your favorite knit tie.

You can also wear knit ties all year long. Try them with cool linen suits and a straw hat for those hot summer days by the beach. During the winter, pair them with warm wool vests and a peacoat.

Don’t Forget To Accessorize

Yes, you can, and absolutely should, accessorize a knit tie. Try a lapel pin for a flourish alongside the tie. You can also add a tie bar to accessorize the tie itself and keep it in place.

Like the knit ties, the accessories can be as professional or as unique as you would like them to be. Try several options out to learn what styles work for you!

 

You’ll Always Look Stylish In A Knit Tie

If you want to transition your wardrobe from ordinary to extraordinary, then the first thing you should do is add some super stylish knit ties to it. Whether you’re dressing up for a Zoom meeting or dressing down for the farmer’s market, you’ll look great anywhere you go in your knit tie!

Want to stay on top of the latest in men’s fashion? Sign up for the Dapper Circle for the everything you need to know and access to discounts, tips, and maybe some memes, too!