Choosing a tie made of the right material, having the right texture, can elevate your style and the way you wear ties to the next level. Most men who are to wear a tie, picture a colourful accessory made of shiny silk, that will make you look formally dressed, or like you are going to a party.

How to wear ties more often

Both the material as well as the texture of the tie you wear, are keys features with which to vary the impression of your tie. These parameters also become guidelines for how to compose combinations of clothes that are more wearable, more-low key but some times even more stylish than mixes with more predictable silk ties. We are of course not downplaying neither the style nor the importance of silk ties here. These will still be the foundation of most tie wardrobes. We do however want to tickle your curiosity for using ties of less common, alternative materials. Below we give you a walk-through of the most commonly occurring tie materials, and which blazer fabrics they harmonize well with when combined..

Combining ties of different materials and textures gives an interesting style.

How to wear silk ties

Ties made of silk work very well with jackets of this woollen fabric quality, as well as jackets made of linen, cotton, corduroy, tweeds and flannels. When a silk tie is worn with heavier fabrics, the contrast in textures makes the tie more eye catching in the combination.

To combine knitted ties

Knitted ties are made from both silk, wool and cotton. These knitted ties have a wonderful rough texture making the tie appear less shiny, especially regarding wool-knits. This gives more understated, low key ties that are very wearable in everyday situations. Knitted ties are some of the most stylish accessories you can wear, and not to be confused with the common misconception that they are frumpy. An unjustified reputation probably stemming from a time when many older men wore battered old, knitted ties paired with ill-fitting blazers.

Wear you knitted ties with everything from lighter woollen jackets, to coats of tweed, flannel and corduroy where the rough knitted texture creates a beautiful harmony with the heavier fabric. Knitted ties are thereby also very well suited to wear in combinations with jeans, as denim works very well with coats made of heavier fabrics. Knitted ties also look incredibly good worn with shawl collar heavy knitted cardigans and a button-down collar Oxford shirt.

How to combine ties of wool and flannel

Flannel ties come and go as parts of mainstream fashion, while they are timeless staples for seasoned wearers of ties. A solid dark brown flannel tie worn with a navy or charcoal suit, is a very rakish combination. The rugged flannel texture adds an element of refined style while taking up less visual space than a shiny silk tie, giving the flannel an air of understated elegance. Flannel ties are often the hallmarks of people with good style and taste. Ties made of flannel are due to their rich texture like made to be worn with tweed, corduroy and flannel suits..

How to wear cotton ties

Ties made from woven cotton fabrics are incredibly usable and stylish. The matte cotton texture makes these ties less eye catching, hence more suitable for low-key everyday use. An unexpected and interesting combination can be wearing a cotton tie with an oxford shirt under a denim- or a Harrington jacket. Needless to say, cotton ties are good to wear with summery cotton and linen suits.

How to wear grenadine ties

To put it shortly, grenadine is a heavy, airy gauze-like silk weave, that sometimes makes you think of knitted silk. Some of the most well-dressed people in the world, prefer grenadine ties due to their airy exclusive texture. These ties are often made “un tipped” with beautiful rolled edges to give structure for the tip of the tie. Grenadine ties work well with most suit and blazer fabrics, lightweight summery weaves as well as heavier wintry fabrics, adding a stylish touch to the ensemble.

As usual there are commonly no strict rules, rights or wrongs regarding style, clothing and which accessories to use, as long as no specific dress code applies where you are going. Hence we regard our words above merely as guidelines and an initial idea of how to use and combine ties made of various materials and fabrics.