The Slim Tie Story

If you've picked up a magazine or even been out and about lately, you've likely noticed that skinny ties are back. For many men over sixty, this brings back vivid memories of the 1960s, when skinny neck ties were all the rage, and slightly younger men might flash back to the 1980s. But this accessory's history goes back even further. It has been reinvented many times, and likely will be many more. 

What Defines a Skinny Tie? 

The generally agreed upon width of a regular tie is about 3.25". Most tie vendors label ties under 3" as slim or skinny ties, with the slimmest measuring just 1". These ties can be purchased in almost all of the same fabrics as a typical tie, and their lengths are usually to be similar to their wider counterparts". They tend to be produced in plain colors or possibly stripes, since there isn't much space for a pattern to be developed. Patterned designs can easily be found, though, on websites such as tiecoon.com. 

When Did Skinny Ties Originate? 

Many sources trace the thin neckwear trend back to the 1920s when "string ties" were trending. In his article "The History of Skinny Ties," Cliff Spears cites diminished resources in Europe following WWI as the reason these "budget ties" became popular. The traditional pointed tip was even sometimes flattened to make production cheaper. By the 1940s, though, ties were at their widest, doubling the width of string ties at over 4". 

When Else Have Slim Ties Been Stylish?

When Beatlemania struck the United States, skinny ties were not far behind. A number of iconic photographs capture the Fab Four wearing slim black ties and white shirts. The Rat Pack could also be seen sporting a similar style, and Elvis Presley perpetuated the slim tie trend before going wider in the "70s. For a decade, then, from the late 1950s to the late 1960s, ties of about 2" sold well, with some going even slimmer, down to 1" in width.  These ties sometimes had a flat end instead of a pointed tip, though vintage ties of both types can be found. 

Slim neckties made a comeback in the "80s as well. In the early "80s, thin leather neckties trended, often paired with patterned shirts. Musicians such as Billy Joel also returned to thin neck wear. Neckwear then widened again throughout the "90s. 

What is the Place of the Slim Tie Today?

The skinny tie is often labeled as retro, with TV shows like Mad Men bringing back some 1960s style. However, the skinny tie has come into its own once again, and can be justifiably called modern. In her posting "The Case for the Skinny Tie," Megan McLachlan credits designer Hedi Slimene with the beginning of the slender neck tie resurgence, followed by Prada and Buckler. Countless celebrities have been spotted in skinny styles, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Pattinson, Ryan Gosling, and Justin Timberlake. Their easy availability at retail stores and their common appearances in offices and beyond assert the fact that they are more than a retro fad. 

Advice for Wearing Skinny Ties

Slim ties popularly contribute to an overall streamlined and sleek look. To pull off a skinny tie, everything from jacket lapels to pant legs to shirts to collars should generally be slim or small as well. It is suggested to make a simple, loosely tied four-in-hand knot, to keep the knot as effortless as the tie itself. Larger men should stay on the larger side of the slim tie trend, as not to create too great a contrast. 

If you do invest in skinny ties, don't get rid of them if fashion shifts back to wider ones. If history repeats itself, you'll be on the cutting edge in about twenty years when slim neckties cycle back again.

For all your slim ties needs head to www.tiecoon.com/narrowties and create your own style. Choose from a plethora of colors and patterns or design your own.