Knit Ties: When to Wear One and How to Tie It
A good knit tie takes the starch out of tailoring. It brings texture to a plain shirt and gives a suit a more relaxed character. Choose the right colour, shape and knot, and it earns a place in your working week as easily as your weekend plans.
Wear a knit tie for business-casual offices, dinners, smart-casual events and weddings with relaxed suit dress codes. Start with a four-in-hand knot, keep the front end around the top of your waistband and pair the texture with a simple shirt. Navy or burgundy makes an easy first choice.
What is a knit tie?
A knit tie, also called a knitted tie, is made from loops of yarn that give its surface visible texture. The familiar square end is part of its appeal, but pointed knitted ties offer the same idea with a more traditional outline.
The Lennox, Meraki, Noceur and Tao featured here are made from microfibre; their knitted construction creates the visible loops and texture.
That texture gives a plain outfit depth. Against a white shirt and grey suit, a navy knit looks considered without needing a pattern. With a checked jacket, a solid burgundy knit gives the eye somewhere to rest. Start with one strong texture and build the rest of the outfit around it.
When should you wear a knitted tie?
Choose a knit when you want the finish of a tie with a softer overall mood. The occasion and the rest of your clothes set the level of formality.
| Occasion | How to wear it |
|---|---|
| Business casual | Navy or burgundy knit, a tucked-in shirt and a blazer. Keep the shirt pattern restrained. |
| Conservative meetings or interviews | Choose a smooth, understated necktie for the most traditional finish. Use a fine, solid knit when it fits the workplace. |
| Daytime or relaxed weddings | Wear a dark knit with a well-fitted suit, a white shirt and polished shoes. Coordinate with the couple if you are in the wedding party. |
| Dinners and cocktail events | A pointed navy or black knit works with a dark lounge suit when the invitation calls for that level of dress. |
| Black tie | Wear a dinner suit or tuxedo with a black bow tie. A black knitted necktie belongs to a different outfit. |
| Smart-casual weekends | Try a knit with an Oxford or chambray shirt, a soft jacket and chinos or dark, clean denim. |
For wedding outfit planning, start with the Wedding Shop and our summer wedding guide. For dinner-suit dressing, see our black-tie guide.
Should you choose a square or pointed knit tie?
Square ends give you the classic knit-tie look. Their straight finish works particularly well with soft tailoring, button-down shirts and separates. Pointed ends give you a familiar tie shape with added texture. Choose one when you want an easy transition from a conventional necktie.
Both work with a suit. Choose the end you like, then compare the width and the length. The two navy options below show why those measurements deserve a look.
A square-cut navy knit for a relaxed blazer, pale tailoring or your weekday shirt rotation.
150 cm long (about 59 in); approximately 6 cm wide (2.4 in).
Shop the Lennox
Oxford Navy Blue Pointed Knitted Tie
A pointed navy knit that keeps the outline familiar. Pair it with a white shirt and a grey suit.
145 cm long (about 57 in); approximately 5–6 cm wide (2–2.4 in).
Shop the OxfordHow do you tie a knitted tie?
Start with a four-in-hand. Its single wrap gives a compact, slightly asymmetric knot that suits the texture of a knit. A substantial knit builds fullness quickly, so a simple knot keeps the collar tidy.
- Set the starting length. Drape the tie around your collar with the seam facing in. Put the front blade on your right, hanging lower than the narrow back blade.
- Cross the front blade over the back blade. Hold the crossing point lightly near your collar.
- Pass the front blade behind the back blade. Bring it back to your right.
- Wrap it across the front once more. Keep a finger beneath this horizontal band so it stays open.
- Bring the front blade up through the neck loop. Feed it through from underneath.
- Pass it down through the front band. Use the opening you held with your finger.
- Set the knot gently. Hold the back blade and slide the knot towards your collar. Settle the front blade with your fingers, then check its length against your waistband.
Undo and retie it with a different starting length if the front finishes too high or low. Ease the knit into place with light pressure.
When should you use the Prince Albert knot?
OTAA’s illustrated knitted-tie tutorial teaches the Prince Albert knot. Its extra front wrap adds fullness. Try it with a finer knit and enough room at the collar.
What should you wear with a knit tie? Three outfit ideas
Grey suit, white shirt and navy knit
This is the easiest starting point for work or a daytime celebration. A pale grey suit gives the navy tie clear contrast, while a white shirt keeps the combination sharp. Finish with dark leather shoes and a simple pocket square.
Build your own version with the Carruthers White Lucious Non-Iron Shirt.
Checked tailoring and a burgundy knit
Give a patterned suit a solid tie with enough colour to hold its own. Burgundy works neatly against grey checks and a white shirt; a pale blue shirt gives the same palette a softer feel. Let the jacket carry the pattern.
Shown with grey checked tailoring and a white shirt. The pointed end gives this textured burgundy tie a defined finish.
150 cm long (about 59 in); approximately 6.8 cm wide (2.7 in).
Shop the MerakiSand tailoring and a forest green knit
Forest green adds depth to sand and stone shades. Wear this combination to a daytime wedding, lunch or a smart outdoor event with a white shirt and brown leather shoes. The square end keeps the mood easy.
Shown with a sand-coloured suit and white shirt. Carry the deep green into a small pocket-square detail, or leave the square plain.
145 cm long (about 57 in); approximately 5–6 cm wide (2–2.4 in).
Shop the Forest GreenWant black or a small pattern?
A black knit gives checked or textured tailoring a clean focal point. Small white dots bring contrast to a plain jacket and shirt. Keep the rest of the combination quiet so the details have room.
A pointed black knit with a pronounced textured surface. Wear it with a white shirt and grey or brown tailoring.
150 cm long (about 59 in); approximately 6.8 cm wide (2.7 in).
Shop the Noceur
Tao Navy Polka Dot Knitted Tie
Navy with small white polka dots and a pointed end. Pair it with a solid shirt and an understated jacket.
150 cm long (about 59 in); approximately 6.8 cm wide (2.7 in).
Shop the TaoFor your pocket square, choose a plain or softly patterned option that picks up one colour in the outfit. Browse OTAA pocket squares or use our tie and pocket-square guide.
Which shirt and collar work with a knitted tie?
White and pale blue make reliable foundations. A crisp dress shirt sharpens a suit; an Oxford or chambray shirt works with more relaxed separates. With a striped or checked shirt, begin with a solid knit and give the pattern some breathing room.
Fasten your shirt’s top button and check that the collar points frame the knot neatly. A compact knot works with many everyday dress-shirt collars; the opening should feel comfortable and look filled without pushing the collar outwards. Compare shapes in our shirt collar guide.
Carruthers White Lucious Non-Iron Shirt
A white cotton shirt with adjustable button cuffs. Use it as a clean foundation for navy, burgundy or forest green.
Slim Fit; choose your collar size on the product page.
Shop the Carruthers
Riskin Light Blue Lucious Non-Iron Shirt
A light-blue cotton shirt with subtle stripes and adjustable button cuffs. Pair it with a solid burgundy or navy knit.
Slim Fit; choose your collar size on the product page.
Shop the RiskinA button-cuff shirt keeps the combination straightforward. With a French-cuff shirt, add discreet cufflinks. A tie bar is optional: choose a smooth clip suited to the tie’s thickness, keep it narrower than the front blade and ease it on gently to protect the knit.
Which accessories go with a knitted tie?
A white pocket square keeps a textured tie looking considered. If you wear a tie bar, clip both tie blades to the shirt placket between the third and fourth buttons. Choose a bar narrower than the front blade and ease the clip open before positioning it so it does not snag the knit.
A clean silver finish for the Lennox and wider knits. Its 5 cm length sits inside the Lennox’s approximately 6 cm blade; check the fit on narrower ties.
5 cm long; clip-on fastening.
Shop the Hoffa
A plain white square gives navy, burgundy and forest green knits a crisp finishing detail. Wear it in a simple straight fold.
White satin finish; dry clean.
Shop the White Pocket SquareHow long and wide should a knitted tie be?
Aim for the front end to sit around the top of your waistband or belt buckle. This applies to square and pointed tips. Keep the back blade shorter and use the keeper loop if your tie has one.
Trouser rise, neck size and knot choice all change the length you need. Measure a tie that already works for you, then compare the product measurements. In this guide, the Oxford and Forest Green ties are 145 cm long, while Lennox, Meraki, Noceur and Tao are 150 cm. That extra 5 cm gives you more length to work with.
Match the tie’s width to the scale of your jacket lapels: slimmer lapels suit a slimmer tie, while broader lapels carry more width. A 5–6 cm knit gives a slim line; the 6.8 cm Meraki, Noceur and Tao offer a little more presence. Check the whole outfit in a mirror, with your jacket fastened.
For a closer look at proportions, see how long a tie should be.
Can you wear knit ties in summer and winter?
Summer: wear a navy or green knit with pale tailoring and a white or light-blue shirt. Keep the jacket and shirt weight comfortable for the setting. A smaller knot and a well-fitting collar make the outfit feel less crowded at the neck. Choose your layers for the weather.
Winter: put burgundy, navy or forest green against flannel, tweed or a softly textured wool jacket. A pale shirt gives the darker colours contrast. For a dinner or a relaxed office day, a fine V-neck jumper or cardigan frames the knot neatly beneath a jacket. Keep the layers smooth through the chest so the tie sits flat.
How do you look after a knitted tie?
- Untie it after wearing. Reverse the steps of the knot and ease each loop free.
- Store it flat or loosely rolled. Support the full tie to keep its shape.
- Pack it gently. Give it room in your luggage and let it rest flat after unpacking.
- Keep rough fastenings clear. Watch jewellery, clips and hook-and-loop closures around the knit.
- Follow its cleaning instructions. The six knitted ties featured here specify dry cleaning.
Is a knitted tie a good gift?
A navy knit is an easy choice for a man who wears grey suits or blue blazers. Burgundy adds variety to an established rotation; forest green works well with earth tones. Look at the colours and widths he already wears, then choose a knit that fits those clothes.
Pair a navy knit with the White Pocket Square for a useful gifting set. Choose pieces from the knitted ties collection, or use Build Your Bundle to put the set together. An OTAA E-Gift Card lets him choose his own. For a wedding gift, check dispatch time on the product page.
Knitted tie FAQs
Are knitted ties formal enough for a suit?
Yes. A solid navy or burgundy knit works with a lounge suit for many offices and daytime occasions. A smooth necktie gives the most traditional business finish.
Can you wear a knit tie to a wedding?
Yes, for a wedding that calls for relaxed suiting or smart-casual tailoring. Wear it with a well-fitted jacket, a neat shirt and polished shoes.
Do knitted ties come with pointed ends?
Yes. Knitted ties come with square and pointed tips. The straight finish gives you the classic knit-tie shape; a pointed end gives you a familiar necktie outline.
Can you wear a knitted tie with jeans?
Yes. Choose dark, clean denim, a tucked-in collared shirt and a soft jacket. Keep the tie snug at the collar for a deliberate finish.
Does a square-ended tie finish shorter?
Use your waistband as the reference for either tip shape. The front should sit around its top edge, with the back blade shorter.
Should you leave a knitted tie knotted?
Untie it after use, then lay it flat or roll it loosely. It is ready to tie properly the next time you wear it.
Your knit-tie checklist
- Choose the occasion, then the colour and tip shape.
- Compare the tie’s length and width with one you already wear.
- Keep the shirt simple and the knot in proportion to the collar.
- Set the front end around the top of the waistband.
- Choose your shirt size and check dispatch time on the product page.
