While the desire to dress to the nines in a formal capacity can wax and wane over time, the business casual revolution has taken gentlemen’s attire by storm, and rightfully so. After all, who wouldn’t want to put their best put forward, without feeling (by their standards), restricted by the nature of men’s formal wear. Cue The Knitted Tie.
There are few items that can help a gentleman dress up a casual outfit or dress down a formal ensemble like the knitted tie. The rise of the knitted tie has been in sync with the evolution of business casual attire, as the knitted tie can be viewed as the epitome of ‘Casual Dapper’.
Knit Ties can enhance any look with textural variation and a sense of casual dapperness! Courtesy of www.tie-a-tie.net
Whether you are looking to dress dapper on an evening out with friends or a date night, or are looking for refined, casual elegance at your next cocktail party, a knitted tie can suit you in a wide range of occasions, while bringing attention to your ensemble that other combinations may not necessarily elicit. With this comprehensive Knitted Tie Guide, we will break down the anatomy of a knitted tie, when it can be worn (almost always), and how to strut it to yield maximum effect when your dressing up, or down!
What is a Knitted Tie?
A Knitted Tie, as its name implies, is a tie that has been knitted rather than woven. Knitted Ties are characterized by an open weave, a narrow blade (typically around 2 to 2.5 inches) and square ends (versus triangular, pointed ends that you typically see with a jacquard woven or printed silk twill weave ties). It is these very characteristics that make a knitted tie ideal for casual wear.
The Dark Knot's Barrington Stripes Knitted Silk Tie
Knitted ties can come with either a crunchy texture and finish, or a smoother finish. Crunchier knit ties, as we will see below, do provide more textural variation to your ensembles, along with depth, and look more appropriate in more formal settings (though they can certainly be worn informally!), whereas softer knit ties are best suited for more casual events.
However, please note that while crunchy knitted ties can be worn in more formal capacities, they shouldn’t be worn to daily work, a job interview, or a black tie event. The most formal of occasions should be reserved for traditional neckwear.
Knit Tie Materials
Finer quality knit ties are constructed from silk, with alternate options including wool and cashmere. Like its woven or printed silk tie counterparts, silk knitted ties can be worn year round without taking away anything from your ensembles! While Silk Knitted Ties can be worn year around, Woolen & Linen Knitted Ties are best reserved for the Winter & Summer Seasons respectively, given their unique characteristics with regards to insulation, weight and texture!
Woolen Knitted Ties are a heavier fabric, with wool holding more insulative properties. Woolen Knitted Ties also add textural variation and depth to your ensembles, which is ideal for layering during the Fall / Winter Seasons.
The Dark Knot's Ithaca Grey Woolen Knitted Tie
Linen Knitted Ties, like their standard counterparts, will breathe easier given the linen fabric, and will also be lighter weight, making them ideal for Spring / Summer Seasons.
It is important to note that there are a plethora of synthetic material knit ties in the market place, such as polyester, but these should be shied away from. The texture will obviously feel more like plastic, which would effect the overall drape and breathability of the tie!
However, the type of occasion you are dressing up for should also be taken into consideration. In that regard, a 2.5 inch knitted tie almost always does the trick, as it’s the perfect blend between the width required for a more formal event (typically over 3 inches) and what can work in more casual settings (around 2 inches).
Knit Tie Width
Given that knitted ties are rectangular in shape and therefore have a unique property in that they don’t taper toward the top of your torso, the width of necktie you choose is of even greater importance, as it can throw your body proportions out of whack.
If you are of slim build, a knitted tie around 2 ¼ inches should work best, whereas if you have a slightly broader build, 2.5 inches will be optimal for you. The reason we would opt for ties that are narrower relative to their silk and formal tie counterparts is because knitted ties are generally used in less formal occasions. A skinnier width in that respect elicits a sense of nonchalance, which is perfect for informal occasions.
Courtesy of blog.trashness.com
However, the type of occasion you are dressing up for should also be taken into consideration. In that regard, a 2.5 inch knitted tie almost always does the trick, as it’s the perfect blend between the width required for a more formal event (typically over 3 inches) and what can work in more casual settings (around 2 inches).
Knit Tie Patterns
With the rising popularity of knitted ties, these unique neck pieces are now available in a wide range of patterns, including solids, stripes, polka dots, anchors, zig zag stripes, amongst others. Their unique finishing, texture, shape and appropriateness for casual settings have introduced tie patterns such as horizontal stripes and zig zag stripes that you would typically not see with more formal neckwear.
For those of you starting out with knitted ties, I would suggest opting for a couple solid ties such as navy and burgundy, and moving on from there. These exquisite solid pieces can be paired with solid, striped or micro checkered shirt, or fancier dress options such as polka dot and paisley shirts, making them your ideal accessory for a day time event or an evening out!
Solid Knit Ties provide a sense of casual dapperness and relaxed elegance. Courtesy of www.mrcavaliere.com
Once you are more comfortable wearing knitted ties and with matching tie patterns, knitted striped ties, polka dots and other patterns are exquisite and dapper statement pieces to add to your ensembles!
Patterned Knitted Ties, such as the polka dot tie above, can really make your ensemble stand out! Courtesy of www.joebutton.com
When To Wear A Knitted Tie
Given that Knitted Ties are at the less formal end of neck wear spectrum, they can be used to dress down a suit or dress up a more casual outfit. While Knitted ties wouldn’t typically be worn to a formal business setting, they are ideal for less than formal, casual settings such as chinos with a buttoned down shirt and blazer at a wedding or on an evening out!
Knitted Ties pair perfectly with casual settings! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
What To Wear A Knitted Tie With
Since Knitted Ties are casual in nature, they pair best with more casual ensembles. Replacing a woven silk tie with a knitted tie but keeping your formal suit and dress shoes in place is not the best option. Chinos, casual jeans and even jeans are ideally worn with knitted ties, given the textural different of knitted ties.
Knitted Ties look fantastic with casual wear such as a denim shirt and cardigan. Courtesy of www.kinowear.com
Knitted Ties Style Tips
So now that we’ve gone over the foundations of wearing a Knitted Tie, what are some style tips so that you can rock up to that next evening looking heads and shoulders above everyone else (if not literally, at least figuratively!). The following tips will allow you to maximize your casual dapper look, so that you look like you are dressed to the nines without even trying! Effortless Chic. Now who wouldn’t want that. Seriously?!?
1. Wear A Four In Hand Knot. Given the casual nature of a knitted tie, in addition to its shape (rectangular throughout) and texture (thicker with an open weave than standard silk ties), a four in hand knot is your best option. Pair this knot with some of the other considerations below and you will be well on your way towards relaxed dapper, effortless chic or nonchalant chic!
Knitted Ties, given their casual characteristics, are best worn with a four-in-hand knot. Courtesy of www.pinguimo.com
2. If you are leaning towards the more formal end of attire for your evening out, a popped knitted tie knot can work wonders, and will absolutely enhance the dapperness of your look.
A popped knitted tie knot can elevate your style to the next level! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
3. One of the best ways to pull off the nonchalant look with a knitted tie is to leave the back end of the tie (not skinny end in this case!) hanging loose. If you set your tie length just right prior to tying your knot, you can have the back end slightly longer than the front end, providing a casual dapper look that can only be executed with a knitted tie!
Knitted Ties can look equally, if not more dapper, when worn breaking conventional rules! Courtesy of www.soletopia.com
4. If you are looking to wear a knitted tie year round, you are best off opting for lighter, pastel colored knitted ties during the spring / summer months, and earthier tones such as olive green, burgundy & rust during the fall / winter months!
Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
And that’s a wrap for this one! I hope that you have enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. Knit Ties are one of my favorite types of tie, and they are a really fun way to engage further with your wardrobe experimentation.
To view The Dark Knot’s range of exquisite knitted ties, please click here.
