Ties for business casual environment? (e.g. wool ties, silk knit ties, etc.)

I face the conundrum that I'm sure many other people on this forum do as well, traditional silk ties which look great with suits are just too much for a business casual environment - in my experience it just draws a lot of weird/perplexed reactions because people think I'm either trying to impress someone or interviewing for another job. I'm not trying to impress anyone, but I'm not trying to alienate people either.

Lately I'm looking more at ties which are elegant, but casual. I have a few silk knit ties which I've recently become a fan of. I'm also looking for a few good wool ties with a coarse texture - any suggestions?

I recently saw these on an SF'ers blog from a store called Schoffa - but sadly they don't have them for sale on their website. The blue one in particular had me jumping up and down.

Here are a few wool options that are quite casual.




The raw silk ties by Drake's are a wonderful alternative to formal business ties as well. A few examples...

Nothing really to contribute other than to say I'm in the same boat with my tie collection. So yeah...moral support (and I am liking pointed silk knits, grenadines, wool, and raw silk for this).

Not a fan of knit ties although I have seen some people pull them off really well. On the other hand I love wool ties. They are my go to item when I am dressing casually. They are also popular enough to be widely available. Knit ties aren't difficult to find in store fronts but they are hard to find in any great variety. Unless you look online of course.

I like knit ties a lot, but they work best with fairly "preppy" looks - button-down collar shirts, blazers and chinos.

Am coming to like wool ties as well.

I have a couple of knit ties but basically have stopped wearing them. Why would I wear those when I can wear more interesting things like the following:

Drake's wool-cashmere blend



Luciano Barbera wool-silk blend (actual colors play a lot darker than this)




Atkinsons poplin wool-silk blend




At other times of year:

Brooks Brothers linen



Cocktail collection lightweight silk




There are a *lot* of tie designs out there. It is not too difficult to find fabrics/patterns/colors that work in any setting.

p.s., please don't tell the guys on styleforum that I'm willing to wear Cocktail Collection ties!

Wool or cotton is the way to go - particularly if the jacket is rough-textured like a tweed.

As a fellow Canadian, let me suggest that you're looking for wool and/or cashmere ties. Isaia makes an amazing 7-fold wool tie. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/360508065294?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649)



Or, in cashmere: (http://www.ebay.com/itm/350638955821?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2648)



tonylamer said:

As a fellow Canadian, let me suggest that you're looking for wool and/or cashmere ties. Isaia makes an amazing 7-fold wool tie. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/360508065294?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649)



Or, in cashmere: (http://www.ebay.com/itm/350638955821?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2648)

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I just figured it Out! Tony is Spoo's other identity, cross promoting his ebay sales!

Stewie said:

I just figured it Out! Tony is Spoo's other identity, cross promoting his ebay sales!

Click to expand...

No, not quite Spoo. (He out-Tom-Fords me by a 100:1 ratio.) But I had been bidding on those ties 'til I realized that going up against his C-suite clientele wouldn't work for me. I did, however, buy these yesterday to wear to work in the frozen outposts of Ontario: (from the top: Isaia wool, Prada wool, Brioni cashmere).

Suffice it to say that there probably aren't even surveys on the subject, but any average person who thinks a silk tie looks too dressy probably would also think a wool tie looks too dressy. A skinny tie might prompt a better reaction, but it's not going to be blindly recommended here.

Hello,

As for me, knitted ties can be quite useful in case someone wants to stand out. But the scarfs came first all the same I guess you may be interested in the origins of wool ties then. An excellent and informative article by Sven Raphael Schneider on gentlemansgazette in encyclopedia section: History & Evolution of Ties, Scarves & Neckwear.

FidelCashflow said:

"I face the conundrum that I'm sure many other people on this forum do as well, traditional silk ties which look great with suits are just too much for a business casual environment - in my experience it just draws a lot of weird/perplexed reactions because people think I'm either trying to impress someone or interviewing for another job. I'm not trying to impress anyone, but I'm not trying to alienate people either..."

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FidelCashFlow,

A very interesting observation - but I have a slightly different observation/thought it is not silk vs some other ties; it is ties vs no tie environments.

In some ways my view is more limiting maybe no tie or put up with those strange looks - or - don't worry at all about others.

I wore nice shirts and ties, but not suits in college and I never even considered what others thought as I dressed the way I felt comfortable. I received some nice compliments but never once anything negative.

Maybe the times have changed?

Now I am in the north of Thailand and I don't always wear ties but instead I will do things like wear pocket squares in a shirt pocket. No reason I just like pocket squares.

So back to your comments - I would say be yourself and wear what you like - I don't think changing the fabric of your ties will change the comments of your work associates. For them again it is tie vs no tie not the fabric of the tie.

After a while people will get to like you and your ties - I think and hope - if not you should get a new and better job that requires a suit and tie...