The Way They Wore: Images from the Past

[Gus]

A black knit tie has a simple chic and classic look. They get an extra "pop" and look coordinated when paired with black shoes, black belt and black watchband.
I knew guys who worked and traveled in the 70's- 90's who felt that the black knit was their "one tie" for work, the club or travel. One older friend especially liked to wear them with pink shirts to make a less formal statement (club, travel) while sticking with a crisp white OCBD and charcoal grey suits for work.

There was a discussion in another thread recently about black knit ties. Why would someone own one, especially if they already have ties in other colors? Black as a color seems harsh, etc.

I think black knit ties give a stark elegance to suits and most sport coats. Since most tailored jackets are grey, blue, brown, or sometimes green, black complements all those colors. Knitted texture also looks fun and slightly casual (in the CM sense). Lots of great examples of black knit ties from the Golden Age of classic men's dress.


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[dieworkwear]

Not a photo about style, and not even really Golden Age. But an amusing illustration of two tailors arguing. Titled: "Quarrelsome Taylors [Tailors], or Two of a Trade Seldom Agree"

Originally published by Bowles & Carver, after Robert Dighton hand-coloured mezzotint, published January 1795

 

[dieworkwear]

Hardy Aimes had a very thin, stern-looking face that either complemented his conservative business dress outfits or counterbalanced some of the wilder stylistic choices he made during the 1970s. He's one of the few people I think looked good in a true three-button coat. I also like his statement glasses. Jacques Marie Mage recently released a model called the Domoto that looks vaguely similar.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

A black knit tie has a simple chic and classic look. They get an extra "pop" and look coordinated when paired with black shoes, black belt and black watchband.
I knew guys who worked and traveled in the 70's- 90's who felt that the black knit was their "one tie" for work, the club or travel. One older friend especially liked to wear them with pink shirts to make a less formal statement (club, travel) while sticking with a crisp white OCBD and charcoal grey suits for work.

I used to only wear knit ties before I was on this forum, and I was laughed at when I first started posting on CM for saying so. Fast forward and now everyone's saying you should really wear knit ties, and funnily enough now I rarely wear CM, the only ties ever wear are, once again, knit ties. The only difference for me is that I used to think black knits were not my taste, and now they are the first I will reach for. But I still have a burgundy, a dark green and a blue silk knit that I occasionally wear too.

This all means I have a lot of other ties I will never wear again. Any smaller gent out there wants a really nice collection of ties, you can message me and I'm quite happy to give them away for just the cost of postage and packing...

 

[John Doe]

Should one only wear a black knit tie with black shoes? I rarely wear black shoes (mostly funerals) but I do like to wear my black knit when shod in black shoes. I often times would like to wear my black knit with brown shoes but I usually talk myself out of it despite seeing well put together men mixing the two with good results. What say all of you?

 

[dieworkwear]

Should one only wear a black knit tie with black shoes? I rarely wear black shoes (mostly funerals) but I do like to wear my black knit when shod in black shoes. I often times would like to wear my black knit with brown shoes but I usually talk myself out of it despite seeing well put together men mixing the two with good results. What say all of you?

I think you can wear them with black or brown shoes. Although I do really like the following

1. Navy or grey worsted suit worn with a black kit tie, white shirt, and black oxfords. IMO, this looks very sober and elegant. Can also do a black grenadine.

2. Grey-green mohair suit with white shirt, black knit tie, and black tassel loafers. IMO, this is a great evening outfit for going to fancy restaurants or bars. Also keeps it from looking like you're wearing a business outfit.

3. Grey tweed jacket, white shirt, black knit tie, charcoal trousers, and black tassel loafers. Keeps it monochromatic and chic, but also vaguely Ivy.

4. Brown tweed, blue-and-white striped shirt, grey or tan trousers, and non-oxfords in black or brown. Prob the "safest" combo and again very Ivy.

 

[John Doe]

I've done #1 before with a darker grey cotton suit but with black single monks . I agree it looks
elegant though conservative which is good.

#2 I've also done but with a green cotton suit but sans the tassel loafers, I abhor tassel loafers.

I only have one tweed jacket which I rarely wear due to the limited number colder days here in Texas where I live.

 

[dieworkwear]

Lorin Maazel, 1988. Love this color for a suit. Mushroom brown cotton suit with machine-picked lapels, two-button cuff, and a full collar roll. Zegna's Winter Cottons book has a similar color, and the cotton fabric is much softer than Brisbane or Drapers cotton.

Also Lorin Maazel on Charlie Rose. I think this outfit would have worked better as a suit. Maazel wore the tan sport coat with grey trousers and a grey turtleneck.

 

[TimothyF]

I used to only wear knit ties before I was on this forum, and I was laughed at when I first started posting on CM for saying so. Fast forward and now everyone's saying you should really wear knit ties, and funnily enough now I rarely wear CM, the only ties ever wear are, once again, knit ties. The only difference for me is that I used to think black knits were not my taste, and now they are the first I will reach for. But I still have a burgundy, a dark green and a blue silk knit that I occasionally wear too.

This all means I have a lot of other ties I will never wear again. Any smaller gent out there wants a really nice collection of ties, you can message me and I'm quite happy to give them away for just the cost of postage and packing...

I'll bite. Your PM seems to be turned off? Let me know how best to reach you; thanks

 

[ladislav.jancik]

I like the suit Brando wore in "A Streetcar named desire". It had just a short screen appearance though. Lower gorge, full chest, nipped waist, beautiful notch lapels:

 

[Spinster Jones]

Any smaller gent out there wants a really nice collection of ties, you can message me and I'm quite happy to give them away for just the cost of postage and packing...

Am a small gent, and would love to jump on the chance.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Ok @TimothyF, @Spinster Jones - I will divide things between you and get back to you on what it will cost to post, early next week. The offer is now closed!

 

[Gus]

I think a black silk knit tie looks best with black shoes, but I have always skewed towards a more coordinated look with colors.

I've always liked the look of a black knit tie with black penny loafers or black double monks.

Should one only wear a black knit tie with black shoes? What say all of you?

 

[Gus]

I think you were just late to the party as many of the CM crew in the 2006-2010 era often posted about their silk knits, especially with the white or colored dots. I remember a post by Matt where he is sitting in a boring meeting, daydreaming and wondering about the details of hand sewing dots on his silk knit ties.

I used to only wear knit ties before I was on this forum, and I was laughed at when I first started posting on CM for saying so.

 

[bicycleradical]

I always liked how Burroughs dressed, even when I was younger and couldn't wear CM.