Even with the comeback of traditional menswear in the last 10 years, the necktie's significance in contemporary attire has substantially diminished. Nevertheless, it's important to have a thorough grasp of the many sorts of ties so that you can wear one confidently. In this post-tie era, I think the knit tie is one of the most practical tie options, so I thought it would be worthwhile to go into more depth about why I enjoy them and where I prefer to get them.
Knit ties occupy a special place in the spectrum of neck decoration – they’re considered a “casual tie,” which is a bit of an oxymoron in today’s world, since men are probably more likely to wear a suit without any tie at all than dress it down with a “casual tie.” Because occasions that require professional attire are becoming less common, though, it’s worth having a knit tie in your arsenal so that you can get buttoned up without looking like you’re going to a wedding, funeral, or congressional hearing. The texture and floppy structure of knit ties give them a bit of a “sure, I’m wearing a tie but it’s not a big deal”-type vibe.
While both knit ties and “traditional” ties are worn around your neck and often made of silk, they’re quite different things when you get down to it. Traditional ties are made by cutting and sewing together pieces of woven fabric, and knit ties are knit (go figure) into a tube shape out of thick yarn (usually silk). In other words, they’re more like a tube sock than a regular tie in a lot of ways. They also typically have a square end, although some are available with a point. Unlike traditional ties, knit ties require specialized equipment so only a few factories make them. That’s one of the reasons that many of the products on this list look similar – they’re all coming from just a handful of places.
The most popular fabric for knit ties is silk, while more seasonal versions may also use wool, cashmere, and cotton. Although the design allows for horizontal stripes, they are frequently plain colors. Another wonderful knit design is the dot; the best ones have the dots hand-woven in, which is lovely. Black knit ties are frequently seen as "essential" and the "classic" option, but feel free to ignore that advice. It's true that the fictional and literary James Bond wore one, but you should dress as you want to. Navy, deep brown, and bottle green are my favorites.
Knit ties sometimes have a slimmer profile than regular ties since they don't have a taper. They are therefore an excellent choice for men who wish to wear a slender tie without having it obvious that they are doing so. Knit ties often range in size from 2.25" to 3", but regular ties are typically 3 to 3.5", and anything under 3" is considered exceedingly narrow. Do whatever suits you; I prefer knit ties that are 2.75 inches long.
Every decent knit tie will have an intriguing texture, which is one of the reasons it's regarded as a good casual tie, but it can take various forms. The two main groups are frequently described as soft and crunchy. The crunchy ones are recognized for their thick, firmer texture and, believe it or not, the squeaky sound they occasionally produce when you pinch or touch them (hence their other name, "cri de la soie" or "cry of the silk"). The soft ones frequently have a smooth, floppy hand. Both are good, but people prefer to follow the crunchy ones with a bit more fervor.
First of all, realize that tying a knit tie with a four-in-hand knot is likely the only option. Any larger knot will leave a giant bump on your collar because of the way they are constructed, which makes the knot rather substantial. Knit ties go best with tailored attire that is less formal than a standard suit, therefore that is what you should wear them with. Knits look wonderful against items like a blue blazer with chinos, flannel pants with tweed jackets, cotton/linen suits, etc. Even though I don't wear ties all that frequently any longer, I generally choose one of them.
