The Return of the Skinny Tie
Hi all,
Yes, it’s back.
When tens of thousands of viewers watched American Idol each week to watch Ryan Seacrest and future pop stars like Michael Johns don the two finger width skinny tie, I knew this trend had some staying power.
In “non-skinny” times, the neck tie varies from 3 and one half inches to 3 and three quarter and back again, making it is a fashion rarity when the tie dares go to 3 inches or less. Skinny ties and more can be attributed to the resurgence of 80’s influenced fashion trends including the bubble skirt and asymmetrical zippers, but like many of the 80’s trends, the roots are back in the 1950’s.
Originally worn and copied by such 1950’s legends like the ratpack, it became a fixture of the mods before it was absorbed by the new wave and punk rockers of the 1980’s. I know I have quite a few embrassing pictures from high school dances! Back again, the skinny tie now says more than just cool; it’s elegant, sophisticated, driven, yet relaxed and casual and that’s why it is back with a vengeance.
According to Men’s Flair : “A tiny bit geek, a tiny bit chic, skinny ties have an attitude that’s all their own.” Geek is the new cool.
What is clear is that the trend is here in full force; designers Alessandro Dell’Aqua, Lanvin, Narciso Rodriguez, and Rag & Bone show them on the runways. Rockers Pete Doherty, Fabrizio Moretti, Ryan Adams and celebs; Jude Law, Orlando Bloom, Zac Efron, Daniel Craig, Patrick Dempsey, Brad Pitt and David Beckham wear them on the red carpets with style. The reporters get them on film and then countless American men want to be that snazzy too.
It’s not a bad idea, as long as one knows how to rock that skinny tie. Most concur that there are fashion faux pas that need not be broken when wearing a skinny tie, most skinny tie tips are pretty easy to follow:
“It’s going to look totally incorrect on a big-collared shirt,” warns Carlo Brandelli. And a bit silly, unless you have a narrow lapelled suit and some narrow pants.”
Wear your skinny ties with an equally modern suit. No double breasted suits at all.
They can’t be past your belt and should not be more than 3 inches above.
If you are a big guy, then you cannot wear a skinny tie: “Skinny ties really only look good on skinny guys .”
Really, you need the collared shirt. You can be untucked if you must, but no tee shirts please, though a vest will do nicely.
The classic black skinny tie is still smart on a crisp white shirt, but mixing up your colors and tones can add a more modern look.
Avoid the black and white checkerboard unless you are going to a 1980’s themed party. Shades of gray on gray look sharp, though my favorite look in skinny to date: a men’s fleur de lis tie on a shirt with a very subtle check….smooth.
Some warn that the very conservative office might not accept a skinny tie, but what is fashion if not a bit edgy?
The necktie might have begun as a symbol of love, but it’s a fashion staple now, and at Loehmann’s, it won’t make you choke. You’ll find a great selection of discounted designer skinny ties at Loehmann’s from Ben Sherman, CK, Nicole Miller, Penguin and Theory.
You heard it from Jack!
[...] See, the skinny tie really is vintage, not modern! [...]