Knitted ties

If the 80s were all about the shiny, double breasted power suit and the 90s were all about the big, boxy, shapeless suit in bad colours, then the noughties have been all about returning to tradition. English tradition. The good old days. Narrow lapels and pants, clean blacks, blues and greys, crisp shirts with small collars, knitted ties.

The knitted tie is about as far away from the traditional tie as you can get. First off, it's knitted with a machine as opposed to woven like a normal tie. They're both made in 100% silk, but knitted ties are a bit more casual and have a heavy texture you can see and feel. But most noticeably, knitted ties have a straight end, otherwise known as a bobtail. If a skinny tie is the rockstar of ties, its knitted counterpart is the English rake.

Here's how to wear it. For the classic 60s look, pair the knitted tie with a white shirt and a plain coloured suit. Since it's a statement piece in itself, keep the accessories to a minimum - leave your pink silk kerchief at home and replace it with a white cotton pocket square (and I mean folded in a square, no elaborate points or poufs). If you want to dress it down, take off the blazer and replace it with a v neck knitted sweater. Or wear the sweater underneath the blazer. I personally like the first option - a navy knitted tie, white shirt, dark suit, white cotton pocket square. Channel your inner Alfie (Michael Caine, not Jude Law) and add a silver tie bar. Instant 60s cad.

Suede shoes

Contrary to popular opinion, the line "Don't step on my blue suede shoes" was not written by Carl Perkins. Nor was it written by Elvis Presley, in case you were wondering. "Don't step on my blue suede shoes" was a line Johnny Cash heard some airforce boys saying one time. He told Carl Perkins to use it in a song, then probably later regretted not doing it himself. Mystery solved. The point is, if it was good enough for Elvis, it should be good enough for you.

Suede shoes are not only more comfortable than traditional leather shoes, they're a hell of a lot richer too. Let's say you're wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. Well polished black leather shoes on top of that are going to make you look clean and professional, with a hint of the undertaker. Throw some suede in the mix and you're instantly taken to Rat Pack heights of cool. Navy suit? Try brown suede. It'll give you the rarefied air of a gentleman who knows what he's doing. Don't feel like wearing a suit? No problem, suede works just as well with dress pants, chinos, khakis or jeans.

Now I know what you're thinking - suede's impractical, it marks, spill a bit of water on it and it's ruined forever. Old wives' tales, the lot of them. Here's what you do. Spray them with some waterproof sealant and leave it to dry overnight. Wear them around, if they get a bit of dirt or dust on them (even mud), wait till it dries then brush it off with a specialty suede brush. Enough said.

Here at Working Style we exclusively stock handmade suede shoes made by Spanish firm L'Stony. Prices start from $499 NZD.