Thin, wide, skinny or bow. As with any accessory, neckties can also fall victim to trends, shapeshifting in both length and girth through the seasons. One year’s masterpiece could be the next decade’s costume.
The recent dressing-down trend means we have spotted fewer ties fastened around fewer necks, but they didn’t fully get the noose. For an accessory that’s been around in the form we know it as today since the 1890s, ties could never truly be out of style. Fashion experts say their popularity may fade and their importance may fizzle, but formal and business wear (depending on your business and the city in which you live) will always call for a tie.
The decline in neckties gained momentum in the 2000s when tech bro core took over during the rise of Silicon Valley and the boom of tech, causing a ripple effect in the way people dressed for work. With that, ties became less mandatory and more of a choice in business wear. However, in recent years, ties have been making a bit of a comeback.
Gen Z is reportedly embracing the accessory, picking them up by the dozens at thrift stores and vintage retailers, eager to tie one on. And at spring/summer Paris Fashion Week, top female models were dressed in menswear-inspired suits all adorned with Wall Street-style neck ties, showcasing the grand era of 1980s drama and glam.
While they aren’t as important as a pair of socks and definitely not as compulsory as a belt, ties can be seen as an expression of self. They can reflect a person’s attention to detail, style and elegance. So the beauty may just be in the eye of each beholder. And if a cravat still has a place in the world, then maybe the piano tie does as well.
Are you looking to tighten up your tie game? Let’s start with the classic business tie options:
Corporate stripe:
A classic choice popular for finance, law and corporate offices.
Power tie:
Typically a bold red often worn in political environments and high-stakes corporate takeovers.
Whimsical tie:
Bright and creative with yellow being a favourite in media and creative types of functions.
Interview tie:
Brown for a subtle confidence or fuschia to make a bold impression.
Image: Getty
