If there is one accessory you need to add to your collection this season, let it be the knitted necktie. Assuming of course you are not like myself who have loads of them already. In fact I have so many knit ties that I feel a bit weird whenever I put on any other tie that is not knitted. Office, night out, church, Sunday lunch, dinner parties you name it, if I am to wear a tie, it would almost always be a knitted tie.

But I understand that the knitted revolution is not for everyone, which is why I am writing this short article with the hope of convincing the orthodox tie wearers. Yes, yes, yes I understand that it would be pretty hard to pull off a knit on a tuxedo for a ball, but that is the exception right, so let’s carry on with the conversation at hand.

Ok let me bring things down a notch. Knitted ties look wonderful on a smart-casual outfit. Pair of loafers, jeans or chinos (careful with the chinos), nice shirt, and a beautiful blazer would make you walk around town with a purpose. You have the freedom to experiment with all sorts of colours and designs to give you that perfect look. As you go up the smart scale and leave the casual behind, caution needs to be applied accordingly, and of course, like all ties, consideration should be made when picking a tie colour and pattern to match the rest of your outfit.

Knitted ties will make an otherwise stiff formal suit look quite fashionable and stylish. With the right colour and make, you can add an extra dimension to your look whether it is in the boardroom or at a wedding party.

Here are a few things you need to know about knitted ties before you go out to buy one.

Material

Note that not all ties are the same. Just because they look alike does not mean the quality is consistent and so consider the following fabrics when you purchase a knit tie.

Silk – Silk in my view is the best material for a knit tie. Not only does it look great, it feels good to the touch and can be worn all year round. Silk also gives your tie the crunchy and firm feel which gives you an extra dimension when dressing smart.

Wool or cashmere – wool or cashmere is soft to the touch which makes it feel great. Ties made from this material can be worn year round but are more suited to the colder months. Because wool lacks the crunchiness and glossy looks of silk, it is better suited for the smart-casual look.

Recently, makers of knit ties have opted to use combinations such as linen and cotton, linen and wool, and even linen and silk, all of which look decent and may even cost you less. What you should avoid if you can is ties made from polyester.

Width

The width should be considered when choosing the right knit tie to wear with a suit or blazer. This applies to all ties for that matter. If you wear a suit with skinny lapels then you must wear a skinny tie to go with it. Likewise, if you wear wider lapels, then you have to go for a wider tie option. Get the proportions right.

Knot

The four-in-hand-knot is the best knot to use when wearing a knit tie. A knot such as the Windsor will make your tie look too bulky at the neck simply because knit ties are generally thicker hence the more folder your tie gets the more its chunkiness.

So there you have it. Have I managed to persuade you to buy yourself the ever so trendy and versatile knit tie?

Watch this space as I will be doing a blog post on how to knot your ties and bowties.