You know it’s coming. That awkward stage between summer and fall where it’s too cold to wear a sweater but too hot for just a t-shirt.
I can honestly say it’s one of my most hated times of year – I just don’t know what to wear to stay comfortable when the weather begins to change.
That was, at least, until I discovered the benefits of knitted men’s shirts and polos.
Never heard of them? I hadn’t either – so, in today’s article, I’m passing down my newly discovered knowledge of knitted summer tops.
- What Is A Knit Shirt For Men?
- How To Style Summer Knitted Tops
- Knit Shirt For Men Formality and Style
- Who Should Wear Knit Shirts?
- Caring for Your Knit Shirts
#1 What Is A Knit Shirt For Men?
A knit shirt for men is pretty much what it says on the box – a shirt that is knitted, usually from cotton or linen.
They are the perfect in-between garment for those transitional weather days where you need something a little more substantial than a t-shirt but don’t want the extra weight of a sweater.
Plus, they come in a variety of styles and can be dressed up or down according to the occasion.
Historically speaking, knit shirts and polos are considered ‘retro’ menswear – in that they were popular in the 60s and 70s but then fell out of fashion.
However, in recent years they have made a comeback and are now seen as stylish, modern garments.
So if you’re looking for a shirt that will make you look cool and stylish while still being comfortable, then a knit shirt is definitely the way. Do some digging, and you’ll be able to find these bad boys in a variety of different colors, patterns, and cuts.
Personally, I prefer to stick with the retro style, which usually features pastel colors in broad vertical stripes. But that’s just my personal taste – so experiment with a few different options and work out which style is best for you.
#2 How To Style Summer Knitted Tops
Despite their rising popularity, knit summer shirts and polos won’t suit every outfit you try them with. The key to looking good in a knitted shirt or polo is to think retro and do some research!
Get on the web and search for images of the garment being worn in times gone by. You’ll see a lot of retro gents wearing them either with straight-leg slacks or slim-cut jeans.
It worked in the swinging sixties, and it’ll work for you today. Opt for a classic pair of medium blue jeans, a pair of black leather penny loafers and a knitted shirt of your chosen design. Wear it with a few buttons undone to add a relaxed vibe to your outfit and quiff that hair if possible!
Alternatively, dress a knitted shirt up with a pair of slacks instead of jeans. Look for straight-cut, textured slacks with a roll-up hem. Tuck your knit shirt into them but let a bit of fabric hang loose. This will help you present an air of formality while still looking chilled out and relaxed in your new favorite shirt design.
#3 Formality and Style
Should you wear a knit shirt with a suit? No.
It’s really not that kind of garment. When dressing up in formal attire, opt for a classic poplin button-down as you’ve always been taught to.
However, when smart-casual attire is on the table, the knit shirt really comes into its own.
As mentioned above, you can pair this garment with a pair of retro slacks to achieve a unique but clean-cut look. Looking to up your style game even further? Add a complementing blazer into the mix and really channel that ’60s prom-night vibe’.
Remember, this look is all about taking the styles of the past and modernising them – so feel free to add your own modern flair:
- Switch out the penny loafers for white, minimalist sneakers.
- Change up the blazer and wear a bomber jacket.
- Could a slim-line tie work well with your shirt? Pick out a few and experiment to see what looks good
All in all, the beauty of the knitted shirt and knitted polo top is their versatility. There’s plenty of room for experimentation, so gather up all of your style knowledge and put that garment to the test!
#4 Who Should Wear It?
Knit shirts aren’t for everyone.
The fact is, without knowing how to style a knitted shirt correctly, you can easily put a foot wrong and end up looking like a reject from the set of Mad Men.
That’s not to say that you can’t look good in a knit shirt, in the right circumstances.
Let me put it this way: if you’re the sort of guy who works in a big city office where a shirt and tie is mandatory uniform, then a knitted shirt probably isn’t for you. Due to their retro nature, knitted shirts are relatively informal and best saved for more relaxed settings.
If you work in a more creative environment, or if you’re looking for an outfit to take on your next big date, then a knitted shirt could be just what you need. With the right styling, a knitted shirt can make you look smart, stylish and altogether dapper – just remember to take your time, do your research and experiment with a few different looks before you settle on a style that suits you.
There’s also the issue of age. I know – a lot of your guys probably remember part of the 60s when these shirts first came to be so popular. However, that doesn’t mean you should try and revive your early years by wearing something that isn’t right for you age range.
As a general rule, anyone up to the age of 55 can pull off a knitted shirt. It’s a great garment for stylish dads and men looking to impress a date. However, if you’re a grampa, then I’d suggest opting for something a bit more classic. After all, you want to look stylish – not like you’re trying too hard to seem younger than your years.
To enhance the appearance of your knit shirts, washing them properly is necessary. Knit shirts can be more sensitive in this regard than other fabrics because they are made in a different manner. Below are some care tips to make certain that your knit shirts remain healthy:
- Washing: As usual, first, read the care label. But in general, knitted tops can be machine washed on delicate spin with cold water to avoid shrinkage and damage to the fabric. A mild detergent should be used and bleach less or not used at all for its adverse effects on the fibers of the garment.
- Drying: Place the garments flat on the surface to avoid stretching and also retain their shape. If on a hanger, the time’s weight on the fabric makes it draw and oversized masses. In case you are forced to use a dryer, keep away from high heat.
- Ironing: Most knit tops are almost the same as most knits and there are no many wrinkles to be found in the garments if proper drying is undertaken. But if you feel you must, please do it on the lowest of the heat setting and also put some cloth in between the shirt and the iron to reduce the contact of heat to the shirt as this makes one end of the shirt scorched and shiny.
- Storage: It is best to store the knitwear shirts by folding them as opposed to hanging them on hangers. The fabric is likely to be stretched, and especially the shoulders when clothes are hung up. Hardly ever will it happen that the shape and structure of the shirt is lost while folding.
It is predicted that in the years to come, men’s knit shirts will become quite more popular partly due to the improvements in the fabric and how it is designed.
New fabric blends will improve moisture movement, the movement of air as well as the life of the fabrics while more daring graphics will create a modern take on the classic retro style.
Moreover, the movement towards more sustainable ways, with an increase in use of organic cotton and recyclable materials by the companies, will attract green consumers and add further value to the conventional knit shirt.