Best material for Knit Tie?

[JSDNJ]

Picking up a navy knit tie, the Tie Bar has a silk one for $15 bucks, and CT Shirts has a cotton version for $50. Which is better?

 

[styleguy9934]

The Tie bar one is great. Save your money.

 

[LS7]

The silk knit tie is the classic version - you can wear them even with suits. I've never seen a cotton knit; wool, cashmere and various blends thereof, but never cotton.

A $15 price tag though? Not sure how good the quality will be for that money. The cheaper ones tend to have a weave that doesn't hold up to regular wear. My TM Lewin silk knits (Made in China) are a perfect example - they have developed pulls and have frayed more at the end. My more expensive knit ties - generally Zegna - have held up better.

 

[styleguy9934]

The silk knit tie is the classic version - you can wear them even with suits. I've never seen a cotton knit; wool, cashmere and various blends thereof, but never cotton.

A $15 price tag though? Not sure how good the quality will be for that money. The cheaper ones tend to have a weave that doesn't hold up to regular wear. My TM Lewin silk knits (Made in China) are a perfect example - they have developed pulls and have frayed more at the end. My more expensive knit ties - generally Zegna - have held up better.

I can testify that the Tie Bar makes good quality stuff as I own a couple ties from them.

 

[JSDNJ]

The silk knit tie is the classic version - you can wear them even with suits. I've never seen a cotton knit; wool, cashmere and various blends thereof, but never cotton.

A $15 price tag though? Not sure how good the quality will be for that money. The cheaper ones tend to have a weave that doesn't hold up to regular wear. My TM Lewin silk knits (Made in China) are a perfect example - they have developed pulls and have frayed more at the end. My more expensive knit ties - generally Zegna - have held up better.

Honestly I was confused when I saw the CT version in cotton. Then I checked TB and was shocked it was only 15 bucks. I plan on wearing it with a tan suit and blue gingham check shirt.

 

[DocHolliday]

I find the Tie Bar knits poor. Thin, prone to pulls and the dots on the dotted ones come loose very quickly. The knits from Lands' End are pricier but much better value, IMO. (Unless they've downgraded them in the last few months.)

Silk knits are the only ones I like. Wool feels like wearing a sock around your neck.

 

[ALFAMALE]

In my opinion, Tie Bar ties are very poor quality, similar quality to H&M. I have seen some nice cotton knits before, its a perfectly fine material for a knit. I wouldn't say silk is better than cotton, just a matter of preference.

 

[Andrew Ryan]

I second avoiding the Tie Bar due to longevity issues (have also been there). However, like ALFAMALE said, the material is a matter of preference. When I wear knits I go for cashmere, cotton and wool (the first two any season, the last during F/W), as I don't like a sheen on a knit.

That said, I never wear them with suits, only with a sportcoat. And honestly - at the risk of offending the venerable Doc and, perhaps, James Bond - I've never understood a silk knit tie (

), as, to me, it's kind of a mutt - not a proper silk tie, as it were, and not a casual tie due to the sheen (however minimal). With suits I strongly prefer a grenadine or cashmere/silk blend. But again, personal preference.

 

[Wolfon]

My question is about knit ties, I love them but I find it odd how they end in a square. So, I am thinking of getting one that ends like a normal tie, is this faux pas?

I am interested in this silk knit tie: http://www.reiss.com/rw/mens/accessories/cutler/navy/

What do you guys think?


p.s. I'm not starting a new thread since I'm new here, so I'm reviving a monthly old one.

 

[oldock]

I agree. I find the Tie Bar silk knits very poor. I ordered two: one got a noticeable pull after one day, the other after two days. Disappointing. I guess you really do get what you pay for.

 

[jt10000]

The Tie bar one is great. Save your money.

I have knit ties from the Tie Bar, Land's End, the Knottery and some other places.

The Tie Bar ones vary in quality -- all are thin but some are thin in a a good way - well-built and summery/light. Some are just thin and loose and I returned the immediately.

Land's End is higher quality but I don't like the the structure of the one I have - just personal preference.

The Knottery one is clearly higher quality, though it didn't come with a keeper loop in the back, which annoys me.

 

[wallet21]

There are so many options out there in regards to knitted ties. Whilst you have to consider all the styling factors quality should most certainly be one of the top ones.

The reason for this is that depending on the quality of the material will depend on how the tie looks on. The cheaper the material the less structured the weave will be and certainly looks cheap on. It can also look crooked after a few wares. I would most certainly avoid places like Amazon and Ebay. Whilst polyester knits are the cheapest option, these as knitted ties can still look good but again it all depends on the weave.

Even some silk ties can be poorly made. Given that you will be pulling the tie to straighten you don't want it to lose its shape. I'm yet to go wrong with a wool tie (more for autumn/winter) but just be sure to check the quality. If you crumple it and it doesn't fall back in to shape easily, leave it.

I know this doesn't help with online stores but buy where you can return it.

You can go to Mr Porter if you're feeling a little flush but try Broni&Bo, they have a large range of Knitted Ties and they have a sale on at the minute - http://www.broniandbo.co.uk/collections/knitted-ties