January 22, 2026
Necktie Fabric 101
From silk to knit, here’s your guide to ties that actually make getting dressed fun again.
The day you realize that not all tie fabrics are created equal is the day you actually start enjoying how to wear them. Luckily, that day is today. Welcome to Necktie Fabric 101.
While ties spent a few years exiled to weddings, office dress codes, and the occasional “I guess I have to” ceremony, the once-maligned accessory is officially back — and looking better than ever.
Sure, most people still associate ties with special occasions or the workplace, but they work just as well at a nice dinner, an art gallery opening, or even a night at the theater.
Below, we’ve put together a playbook covering the key tie fabrics worth knowing. Patterns and offbeat prints can add personality, no doubt — but the ties you’ll keep reaching for are the subtle, understated ones made with thoughtful, well-chosen fabrics. Those are the real heavy hitters.
Why the Silk Tie Still Runs the Boardroom
Have a dream job interview coming up? Or trying to charm the C-suite before they’ve finished their first coffee on a Monday morning? A silk necktie is still the gold standard.
It’s smooth, subtly shiny, and drapes beautifully.
Silk comes in a few personalities. There’s classic twill silk — the most common and the safest bet. Grenadine adds texture and breathability, perfect for looking interesting without trying too hard. And then there’s shantung: slightly slubby, and a little casual.
Winter Belongs to Wool
Now’s the season to bring out your cold-weather accessories — beanies, leather gloves, maybe that tweed blazer or topcoat that finally gets its moment. So why not invite your neckties to the party?
A wool tie is understated and elegant, with just enough Neapolitan tailoring energy to suggest you know a guy who knows a guy in Naples. It’s more structured than silk, has a handsome matte finish, and looks right at home with a wool chalk-stripe suit — or even a truly stunning corduroy number.
Warm-Weather Neckwear
Although we’re still a few months out, cotton and linen will be your go-to neckwear for spring and summer. Cotton is flat, crisp, and polished — perfect with a seersucker suit or an all-cotton khaki number when you want to look sharp without breaking a sweat. Linen, on the other hand, is wrinkled, lightweight, and dry to the touch (yes, it’s supposed to look that way).
Save these for beach weddings or when you’re dining al fresco on a romantic patio, preferably with a breeze, a drink in hand, and absolutely zero concern for wrinkles.
Wool-Silk Blends Win Every Time
Whether it’s your first necktie or your fiftieth, know this: a wool-silk blend is the Swiss Army knife of ties. It has a soft sheen with just enough texture to keep things interesting, comes in a modern fit — so it’s not trying to swallow your shirt or strangle your style — and drapes naturally. Pair it with a crisp white dress shirt, a blue oxford, or even a denim shirt. Honestly, these ties are the can’t-miss option.
The Surprisingly Laid-Back Power of a Knit Tie
Sounds weird, a necktie can actually be casual. A knit tie — my personal favorite — is probably the most laid-back of all fabrics, thanks to its visible weave and that classic square end. It pairs easily with every blazer in your closet, looks sharp with a cardigan, and — if you pull it off — can even make a denim jacket look like it’s ready for a night out.
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