Summer has ebbed away and now fall is upon you. The days are shorter and cooler. Winter is just around the corner. Now your clothes are all about longer sleeves and layers, as shorts and T-shirts are replaced by sweaters and long pants. The tones are darker, richer, and earthier, with an emphasis on all shades of brown, as well as deeper shades of red, orange, and green, not to mention mustard and deep purple.

Fall also means wearing neckties more often, which then begs the question: what neckties should one wear with which fabrics? As with so much in fashion, there are no hard and fast rules, whatever the fashion experts and fashionistas might proclaim. But there are some good tips to be had, which is what this article is all about…

Leading Fall Fabrics

Fall fabrics are traditionally thicker and heavier so that your body heat remains closer to you. These fabrics also trap air with a type of blanket effect that further allows your body to remain warm. Below are the leading fabrics used for men’s fall fashion and, importantly, what might be the neckties best-suited to each fabric:

Wool

Wool is the quintessential fabric for cooler weather, which is why we’ve started with it. Obviously, the wool one wears in the cool days of fall is lighter than that worn in the frigid days of winter. Merino wool and lambswool are two of the most popular lighter wools that are often used for the suits, blazers, pants, sweaters, and gloves of fall fashion. Color is not an issue with wool as it lends itself to being dyed into just about any hue imaginable, yet another reason for its immense popularity as a fall fabric.

Merino wool is made from the wool of Merino sheep and its fine, soft texture distinguishes it from the heavier, coarser feel of other wools. Merino wool is even more popular because of its breathability and moisture-wicking attributes, which is why it is often used as lining for gloves and hoodies.

Possible Neckties to Wear with Wool:

Woollen neckties are an obvious match for any clothes you wear in wool. Because lighter wools tend to be used for suits and blazers in fall, it’s a good idea to choose a wool blend necktie, such as one with a cotton or viscose blend. A wool blend will feel and look softer and not contrast too sharply with your fall attire. Skinny neckties can look especially fetching with lighter wools.

Cashmere

Ah, the wonders of cashmere! Although also a type of wool, cashmere deserves its own mention because it remains the epitome of luxuriousness in men’s fashion. Possibly no other fall fabric is as soft to the touch and elegant-looking as cashmere.  It’s no exaggeration that cashmere brings sophistication to any outfit you might wear.

Real cashmere is formed from the downy undercoat of the Kashmir goat. The term is also used for extremely soft wools, however only cashmere made from the wool of a Kashmir goat is considered authentic cashmere. Nevertheless, if all you can afford or find is the imitation cashmere, then enjoy the wonders of really soft wool and call it cashmere anyway!

Possible Neckties to Wear with Cashmere:

Cashmere is often worn as a blazer or sweater, often with light wool or chino pants, and so one should use a necktie accordingly. A silk necktie in a monochromatic fall hue looks chic when light wools are worn with cashmere for sartorial elegance. A paisley pattern or bold floral pattern necktie can add some quirkiness to cashmere with chinos for a more casual look.

Flannel

Flannel is a soft, woven fabric which is usually made from cotton or wool. Flannel attains Its characteristic fuzzy texture (and thus softness) with a process known as ‘napping,’ whereby the fabric is brushed so that the finest fibres in the yarn raise. The effect is a fabric that is ultra-soft, even slightly smooth to the touch, and snug.

Flannel has seen a veritable renaissance in men’s fashion in recent years, available in a host of different colors and patterns and principally used to make suits, blazers, and shirts. Solid grey or chalk stripe in any shade of grey or lighter shades of blue are the most common color and pattern combinations found in flannel, even though navy blue flannel suits are also very popular.

Possible Neckties to Wear with Flannel:

Neckties in shades of blue  go especially well with flannel, whether monochromatic, striped or with a pattern. A small-patterned necktie will look particularly good with flannel, given that flannel is lighter-looking than, say, wool, and so the pattern will be visually more prominent.

Tweed

There are few fabrics that proclaim ‘country’ and ‘fall’ quite like tweed does! Tweed and its history are fascinating, having been first manufactured in Scotland and allegedly called tweed because of a misspelling of the word ‘twilled’. Tweed was traditionally woven from the coarse wool of highland sheep, although techniques changed to the more refined fabric that so many men love and use today.

Tweed is typically used in sport coats or blazers, pants and long coats, not to mention tweed suits for the ultimate country gentleman refinement!  It is an especially durable and hard-wearing, and surprisingly suitable for different weather conditions. It is also highly resistant to water and dirt, making it a terrific option to stomp around the woods!

Possible Neckties to Wear with Tweed:

Tweed, even with the finest thread, is a coarse-looking and textured fabric, which often has a check or houndstooth design. As such, a little more caution is required with the choice of necktie, with an emphasis on fabrics and colors that don’t clash. Viable options with tweed include monochromatic neckties in wool or cotton in autumnal hues of brown, mustard, or green. They are your safest bet when the fabric is already so strident!

Corduroy

Corduroy has a distinctive ribbed surface that is especially fitting for more casual attire or a day in the country. Manufacturers play around endlessly with the ribbing of corduroy, resulting in lighter and far heavier corduroy fabrics. It’s beloved by many men for its durability and ease of wear. It is also versatile, looking rugged when donned as a pair of pants, or more intellectual when worn as a blazer.

Corduroy can be considered a quintessential fall fabric, often used in the colors and tones associated with the season, such as chocolate brown, honey, tan, oatmeal, or gunmetal grey.

Possible Neckties to Wear with Corduroy:

Knitted neckties look especially good with corduroy since they add additional texture to that provided by the corduroy being used. Neckties in hues of brown or copper in either wool or cotton can also look great with a corduroy jacket or, for the bold man, a full corduroy suit.

Fall can be one of the most rewarding seasons of the year for a man and his wardrobe. It lends itself to fabrics and colors that feel and look warm and protective. The choice of neckties one can wear in fall are varied and immense and, as always, should be a reflection of you and your taste.