Pick up a copy of any men’s magazine, going back six months and give it a quick flip through the pages, odds are you are going to find at least one knit tie, but most likely more. The reason... they are all the rave right now, and for good cause.
Wearing a suit and tie is often equated to a chore, a uniform, and on down the line. Want to differentiate yourself? Perhaps add a little “pop” to your look? Go just a bit against the grain? The knit tie helps you check off all of these boxes and more. Put before we get much further, a few rules to live by:
- The knit tie should be narrower than what you are used to, but don’t be afraid. While there are varying widths available, most designers are going to adhere to a standard width (probably in the ballpark of 2 ½ inches), so they are doing the thinking for you, just purchase it and put it on.
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Colors and patterns? Just like any neckwear, knit ties can be found in solids, stripes, polka dots, etc. Adhere to the same personal policy that you normally would. Not a daring type, stick with solids or muted color patterns. Like a little “pop,” go with pastels or something unconventional, overall, just be comfortable.
- Material... the beauty here is that the knit tie transcends all seasons, so you don’t have to worry about the material, you can wear it in the summer months or the winter months. While it might make some sense to wear certain colors at certain times of the year (pastels in spring, earth tones in fall) these rules are far from set in stone, so be flexible, no one will notice.
Type of tie knot for a knit tie? Because the whole idea of the knit tie is to go “against the grain” don’t take yourself too seriously when it comes to knotting it up. The best knot is arguably a four in hand, as the material is already thick and hefty enough to keep a nice sized knot and probably too casual for the fustiness of a full windsor. That being said a larger tie knot is a sign of experience and maturity, so if you’ve got a little gray hair, you can pull it off. A younger chap, he should have a slightly smaller knot. Sean Connery wore a four in hand with knits in his years as James Bond, and as a general rule of thumb, if Bond can pull it off, you probably can trust it as fashion gospel.
Other than that, off you go. Pick up a few knit ties, work them into your arsenal where comfortable or appropriate and most importantly have some fun with it. People will soon take notice and the good thing is that these ties are as popular now as they were back in the 60s, so with some ebbs and flows, they should remain popular for another fifty years or so, so from an investment standpoint, you’re on solid ground.
Check out the knit tie selection at J.Crew by visiting their many NYC locations or by perusing their website at:
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/tiesandpocketsquares/knitties.jsp
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