How to style ties, according to 8 Australian creatives
Image @gracexholland/Instagram
Words by Ruby Staley
Not just for the lads.
Bow tie, full Windsor, skinny scarf or even a boob tube; the humble tie is far more versatile than it looks. The necktie’s origins can be traced back to the 17th century when they were knotted around the necks of French army jackets to hold them together. Since then, it’s remained a mainstay in men’s fashion, often associated with fancy or corporate dress.
But as of late, I’ve noticed more and more femme and non-binary people also sporting neckties in weird and wonderful ways. Although the tie has long been a component of androgynous dressing, this new iteration of the trend is reaching a wider audience. This is thanks, at least in part, to a wider push to degender fashion and strip garments of their gendered classifications.
For more style inspiration, head to our Fashion section.
I’ve been searching high and low for a necktie to style, so in the meantime, I asked some of my favourite creatives to show me how they like to tie their ties because the options are limitless.
Martha, she/her, model and student
I think there’s something really satisfying about taking a corporate symbol and removing it from its context. To me, the neck-tie represents a sense of masculine dominion, often seen on the bust of men in corporate settings. Honestly, I’ve always thought workplace dress codes were pretty drab – so uniform, so stiff.
However, when you separate it from its oppressive intentions, you get this minimalist and utilitarian look that can be so chic and sleek. It’s why I love brands like Helmut Lang, Miu Miu and Calvin Klein (circa ’90s obvi). So, I decided I’d style my tie in a way that is detached from its original purpose. To be honest with you I couldn’t be fucked googling how to tie a tie, so I went with wrapping it around my neck for a skinny scarf moment.
Maya Franz, she/her, video editor
The tie I’m wearing is from my friend’s brand Feral (go buy one right now). I’ve paired this accessory with a Heaven Can Wait sweater, my roommate’s button-up, thrifted jeans and [a] bean baby beanie. I use my style to express who I am and confront my sexuality by dressing androgynously [and] breaking down gender norms.
I am an avid tie enthusiast and believe they can elevate any outfit. [I’m] inspired by my gay awakening [of] Avril Lavigne’s Y2K tie look of her reworking corporate attire into pop culture subversion [by] pairing it with casual streetwear. Now I wear a tie with almost every outfit… I am actually obsessed. You literally can’t go wrong, seriously go buy a tie right now.
Bailey Wilson, she/they, model
As someone who has always struggled with gender presentation, I have always loved mixing aspects of traditional masculine and feminine styles. Doing this as a self-proclaimed dopamine dresser has been quite challenging however I have found that incorporating neckties in my everyday style has been so complementary.
I love that I can wear a purple tie with an already-coloured outfit to really elevate it and give it another layer of eccentricity. The best thing about ties, in my opinion, is that you can wear them not only [in] the traditional way but as a hair accessory, a belt or wrapped around your neck. They are just so versatile making them a staple in my borderline maximalist (tropical climate) and dopamine-dressing wardrobe.
Rahma Mohamed, she/her, model agent and booker
I’m more into wearing neckties or necklaces on their own, however, I find a way to [pair them together] from time to time. My style tends to lean into a more ’70s sporty, beachy vibe when I feel like being playful with my look. I’m wearing a vintage silk scarf with a hoop chain as a necklace layered on top.
Stephanie Schafer, she/her, designer and founder of Sschafer
I was channelling Shane from The L Word x Julia Fox in this look. I was also inspired by Avril Lavigne’s early punk days. I love wearing clothes in unconventional ways so I wanted to show how you can style a tie for a sexy summer look and not just classically around the neck.
Grace Holland, she/they, model and content creator
I love styling ties because it brings more of a masculine vibe to any look. I’ve always loved wearing and styling androgynous outfits as it gives me the freedom to express both my masculine and feminine side through my clothes. In this picture, I’ve paired a black tie with a white button-up and black vest on top and a beige mini skirt and platform boots on the bottom for an iconic, high-fashion look that will turn heads.
Chris Ran Lin, he/him, fashion designer
As a designer, my personal style is pretty simple… [A] necktie is not an item I have in my wardrobe. In particular, after COVID, any formal look is becoming a lot less my style. [But] because I was attending a black tie event, I decided to be a little bit creative with my look. The woollen textured jacket with plain black trousers [is paired with a] necktie [that’s a] skinny knitted scarf made by fishing wire. The full look is my own design.
Rubi Lee, she/her, social media manager
I’ve always loved seeing ties worn in ways outside of the typical, classic suit and tie combo. Ever since I was a kid I always thought that Avril Lavigne looked so cool wearing them and I always wanted to emulate her style.
I think ties are such a great way to accessorise without using jewellery and really spice up any outfit. It really adds an edgy vibe to the outfit I’m wearing here and helps to bring the look together. I think the diagonal stripes on my tie contrast well with the pinstripes in the rest of my outfit.
Learn more about how ties became a wardrobe staple here.
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