Knitted Shirts for Men – Classic Style with Added Comfort
Text: Ditte Laursen Turatti
Published: 12/08 2026
Theme: Inspiration
Menswear is becoming less defined by strict dress codes. A shirt can be smart without feeling formal, and looking sharp no longer has to mean compromising on comfort. This shift has made room for new interpretations of familiar wardrobe staples – including the knitted shirt.
With its collar, button fastening and long sleeves, the knitted shirt stays true to the classic shirt silhouette. What sets it apart is the fabric. Soft, flexible and comfortable to wear, it brings a more relaxed feel to a traditionally refined look.
What is a knitted shirt?
While most classic shirts are made from woven fabric, a knitted shirt is constructed using knitted fabric.
The word “knitted” might bring chunky jumpers to mind, but the reality is quite different. A fine, closely knitted fabric can have a smooth and refined appearance, allowing the shirt to maintain its clean, classic look.
Traditional details such as the collar, cuffs and button fastening remain, while the knitted construction creates a softer feel and greater flexibility when you move.
Woven fabric
Knitted fabric
Knitted or woven – what’s the difference?
The key difference is found in the construction of the fabric. Woven fabrics are created by crossing threads over and under each other, resulting in a relatively fixed structure. In knitted fabrics, the yarn forms interconnected loops.
These loops have more freedom to move, giving the fabric natural flexibility. The shirt can therefore follow your movements more easily, whether you’re reaching forward, moving your shoulders or simply going about your day.
A traditional woven shirt can also be comfortable and stretchy, but this flexibility often comes from the fibres used or the addition of elastane. With knitted fabric, some of the flexibility is built into the construction itself. This means a shirt in knitted cotton can offer greater freedom of movement than a comparable shirt in woven cotton.
A Modern Take on the Business Shirt
The business wardrobe is changing. Comfort now matters just as much as looking well dressed, particularly when an outfit needs to take you from morning to evening.
This is where the knitted shirt finds its place. It has the polished appearance associated with a classic business shirt, combined with a softer, more flexible feel closer to the comfort of a polo or T-shirt.
It’s an easy choice for days when you want to look sharp without feeling restricted – whether you’re heading to the office, going out for dinner or dressing for an occasion somewhere between casual and formal.
How to Style a Knitted Shirt
There’s no need to rethink the rest of your wardrobe. Style a knitted shirt with tailored trousers and leather shoes for a sharper look, or pair it with chinos and sneakers to keep things more casual.
Add a blazer when the occasion calls for it, or go with dark denim for a more laid-back combination. The versatility makes it easy to wear the same shirt across different settings and dress codes.
Classic colours such as white, light blue and navy are effortless choices and work with many of the pieces already in your wardrobe.
Where Classic Style Meets Comfort
The knitted shirt isn’t about replacing a menswear classic. It’s about taking a familiar design and making it work for the way we dress today.
You still get the clean silhouette and refined details of a traditional shirt, but with added softness, flexibility and freedom of movement. A modern approach to the business shirt for those who want classic style without giving up comfort.