Q. I sure wish you would write a column on knit ties. You have recommended them at least twice in the last year. Unless they have made an unannounced comeback, I neither see them worn nor even for sale. One may find them online, but not in great numbers. Admit it: They aren't stylish. Defend thyself. You publish your opinions on fashion, and I largely agree with your calls, but on knit ties, I just don't see it.
A. OK, here is my defense. I would argue that they are not out of style or why would so many of the established purveyors of men's clothing sell them -- Brooks Brothers, Burberry, J. Crew, Ralph Lauren -- and celebrities wear them?
A year ago, an article featured Benedict Cumberbatch, David Beckham, Justin Timberlake, Ted Danson and Jude Law (twice) wearing knit ties. But you may be right that you do not see them much in day-to-day life. Just because you do not see them worn "in great numbers" is certainly not a good reason to dismiss knit ties.
I did not say that every department store and men's shop carries them, although many do. Nor did I say that most men own them. What I did say (and strongly believe) is that I like them and sincerely recommend them for a lot of very good reasons, one of which is just the point you are writing about -- that they are not super common. Men have few enough opportunities to be a bit individual in their choice of clothing, so, why stay with what everyone else is wearing? Of all the ties in a man's closet, the knit tie is a classic style that knowledgeable dressers appreciate and use to their advantage.
Knit ties have so many pluses that no man who cares about what he wears should overlook them.
They are extremely versatile because they go with everything from a casual sweater-shirt-and-tie combination to a blazer/sport coat and dress pants mix, on up to a slightly formal suit.
They come in four seasonal materials: silk, wool, cotton and blends.
They are almost always an easy-to-coordinate solid color (but a few knit ties have a subtle dot or horizontal stripe).
They are the perfect foil for busy patterned shirts, such as plaids, checks and tattersalls and for bold patterned jackets, such as herringbones, houndstooths and windowpanes.
They are far less expected than a standard four-in-hand tie, and, thus, have the advantage of being a bit offbeat.
They are generally less expensive than a standard (pointy-ended) necktie from the same manufacturer.
Although the knit tie seldom has a pattern, it does have texture -- a rough, pebbled surface -- that makes it more casual than a smooth silk tie. The flat, squared bottom that is the signature element of a knit tie is another aspect that makes it more casual. A few manufacturers make a pointed alternative to the widely available, standard square-ended version, but these tapered ties are not as true to the no-frills image of the typical straight-across knitted tie shape.
One of the beauties of a knit tie is that it can be worn at any time of the year. That said, there are ways to tweak your neckwear for the season. In summer, go for lighter, brighter pastel colors such as sky blue, soft yellow or pink. But a light-colored knit tie is not your only option in warm weather. If you are wearing a khaki cotton suit, a plain black tie works wonders with a crisp white shirt for business meetings or weekend parties.
The price of knit ties makes them extra attractive. Not only are they less costly than other ties at the tie counter, but they also are among the best bargains you can find at tag sales, thrift shops, "gently used" clothing stores, as well as your Dad's closet. Since no tailoring is involved in their manufacturing, there are no fit problems.
And since no expensive pattern designer's skill is required, there really is no good reason to buy an expensive knit tie. The least expensive one you can find that is the color and the width you want (and is not polyester), is the one to buy. No one could tell the difference between a bargain knit tie you found for $3 and one from Zegna, Brioni, Ralph Lauren, Loro Piano or Brunello Cucinello that cost between $185 and $235!
If, by being open minded and a bit innovative, you can create a uniquely personal look without spending a fortune, why would a man not experiment by introducing into his wardrobe an established classic that is also something different?
Send men's fashion queries to Male Call:
lois.fenton@prodigy.net
High Profile on 06/25/2017