“At this point, you’ve worn a tie more times than I ever have!” my first-period statistics teacher said to me on Halloween. I decided to be The Narrator from “Fight Club” this year and, to put a personal twist on the character, I wore a colorful paisley-patterned tie. Not only did his comment make me laugh, but made me think about just how many times I had worn a tie so far this school year—which has been a lot.
Ties have been around since the 17th century as a means of holding together mercenaries’ jackets. It‘s evolved since then, earning its iconic spot in formal fashion. Restricting ties to simply being formalwear, however, overshadows the sheer versatility of this item. Therefore, I propose that you raid your dad’s closet — or your local thrift store — to find a tie that suits you best, and go through these four simple ways to integrate them into your fashion choices.
- The Windsor Knot
There isn’t a better way to start an article about ties than to mention the classic Windsor knot. First popularized in men’s formalwear, the Windsor knot was typically seen as elegant attire. However, with the pop-punk surge of the 2000s and stars such as Avril Lavigne taking the stage, the look of the classic Windsor knot adopted an edgier style. To recreate this style, the classic Windsor knot is used but is loosened slightly to create a carefree look.
Just as Avril Lavigne did, my favorite way to style this type of tie is with a graphic t-shirt—or a tank top—and jeans. YouTube has a wide variety of videos on how to tie a tie the traditional way, which is worth checking out to instantly upgrade your wardrobe.
- The Belt
For the first non-traditional way to wear a tie, styling it as a belt is a great way to spice up any outfit (and keep your pants from falling). All you have to do is loop your desired tie around your belt loop as you would a belt, leaving both ends to one side of your pants. Then, tie it off with your preferred tying method, whether it’s a regular knot or a Windsor knot.
To style this look, a reliable pair of blue jeans with a white tank top can make this statement piece pop. If you are in the market for something more colorful, however, go for a vibrant, patterned tie and try to match your outfit to the colors on it.
- The Headband
This next way is often seen with headbands and bandanas, but have you ever thought of replacing these common hair accessories with a tie? Conveniently, the classic tie is the perfect width to go on your head as a larger headband and can be tied the same way you would a bandana.
For this untraditional headband, I prefer to lean towards a 70s look. Long, flowy skirts with knit cardigans are a perfect match for this tie trick. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, any outfit that you’d usually pair with a headband should work well.
- The Scarf
Saving the best for last, wearing a tie as a scarf is my absolute favorite way to look fashionable. This tip is incredibly simple; just throw your most colorful tie around your neck and pull to adjust both sides evenly. This method can elevate any outfit as a statement piece or simply emphasize the colors in an outfit.
This look is best paired with an off-the-shoulder top, or a tube top for a summer look. An off-the-shoulder top draws attention to the tie added, making for a more innovative look perfect for the current season!
These four ways to style a tie, while untraditional, can make any outfit look stylish and put-together. Thinking outside of the realm of men’s formalwear can unlock new possibilities for you—and your closet—to repurpose ties for more than they were designed for. Fashion is meant to be experimental, so don’t be afraid to explore the possibilities with your closet.
