Knits have certainly evolved over the last few seasons with many men discovering the practical comfort of a knit fabrication while still looking good on Zoom calls. Relegated in the past to casual and atheisure categories, knits have now evolved into refined articles of clothing that can work just as well under sportcoats and tailoring. Our partner mills, especially the Italian mills of Biella, are all proposing new knit fabrications each season, with updated technology and subtle patterns that make them really appealing to offer in this reinvigorated category.
Reda 1865 has a division dedicated entirely to new technology and in particular, to knit manufacturing. A knitting machine is very different from a weaving loom for woven fabrics, with multiple knitting needles using the exact same technique used in hand knitting, with strands looping and knotting on themselves. This creates natural elasticity, that stretch quality that characterizes knit fabrics and makes them so comfortable and easy to wear, and why I love seeing them in the mix. Reda 1865 uses top quality wool with breathability and depth of color, and they refinish their knit fabrics with the purest water from the region to create some of the best available menswear knits in in the world.
When styling these knits, l love to layer them under tailoring as a great alternative to dress shirts. I feel it makes the outfitting a bit more youthful and slightly less dressed up, and it’s a nice way to add color that you rarely find in dress shirts. The greys, navies, blues and olives are some of my go-to color choices when styling a grey suit. By adding a polo style in any of these colors, you upgrade the look to fit perfectly into the new work dress code while also adding a neater, warmer alternative to a woven dress shirt. This strategy also applies to sportcoat and five-pocket looks, with a polo or even a mock zip neck in a solid color that picks up an accent from the sportcoat plaid. Knits are easy upgrades for guys who want to step up their suiting looks with items that are supremely comfortable and stylish, with plenty of options for collars, closures and more colors to choose from than any other custom-made category.
Another way to style these Reda wools is to use them as sweater alternatives, as I call them. With the added layering profile your Stylist can create, you can now opt for long-sleeved zip neck and even crewneck sweater-style knits to layer over your shirts in exactly the same way you would with classic sweaters. The comfort of a knit and the warmth of wool combine in these beautiful fabrics to create more interest in your selection of layering pieces, instead of relying on sweaters alone. Just like sweaters, these knits also make really great gifts to put on your wish list this year. We have added some fun and unique styling options, including the covered placket on the full zip and mock neck styles, plus a tech trim option for a knit piece that truly stands out in a sea of sweaters.
