To understand this decline, we must first know a bit about the history of ties and why men decided to wear them in the first place. A necktie as such originated in the 17th century in France, where the French king Louis XIII got inspired by the look of Croatian mercenaries in Paris. They were neatly tying their jackets around their necks as a way of keeping them safely stored on their back while they weren’t wearing them. Apart from their obvious practical application, the king found them quite decorative and introduced them as a mandatory piece of clothing for royal gatherings. The era of neckties officially began.
While the shape of the necktie kept evolving over the years, its function largely remained the same – a decorative feature of a man’s outfit. The tie as we know it today got its shape in the 1920s when a NY tie maker Jessie Langsdorf invented a new way of cutting the fabric when constructing a tie.
Tie as a victim to the always-changing fashion trends
Despite its 300-year reign and development, a necktie seems to have become a victim of the latest fashion trends. As those keep changing, they are slowly putting neckties to rest and replacing them with the ever-more-popular open-collared shirt look. This look is being driven predominantly by TV and cinema screens and looser dress code for employees at work.
The workforce is dressing down and getting more casual, but is it good?
In the recent years, more and more businesses have been adopting a more relaxed dress code for their offices (especially in companies such as Google and Facebook) where workers are allowed to dress in comfortable, casual clothes. It’s not uncommon to see even company CEO’s dressed in casual clothing, for example, Mark Zuckerberg or late Steve Jobs who was famous for his casual style of wearing a black turtleneck, blue jeans and sneakers.
The decline of men in wearing a tie in the workforce is further aided by the rise of casual Fridays. If this trend continues, we might witness the disappearance of ties from our wardrobes in the next couple of decades.
You may be tempted to ask, whether this trend of dressing down is actually good for men. Some psychologists claim that it may have a negative effect on our productivity and performance. They argue that this is because we often adopt the characteristics associated with the clothes we wear. When we put our clothes on, we prime our brain to behave in ways consistent with their symboling meaning.
This, however, doesn’t mean that companies need to switch back to the old corporate culture. As of right now, none of the studies provides an absolute scientific proof that your attire impacts productivity. Much of it depends on many variables, such as gender, age or your job title.
Patrick & Co’s opinion: What we think about the “dressing down” trend
While we don’t think men should wear ties all the time, we believe they make men look polished and go a long way towards creating his image as a complete gentleman.
When we look at the success stories of tech startups in the Silicon Valley, it is easy to forget that those successful people weren’t always in a position where they could get away with wearing jeans and T-shirt to work. For example, even the aforementioned Steve Jobs used to wear suits in his early days of building Apple.
Whether we like it or not, other people judge us by what we wear before they hear us speak. That’s why it is essential to make this your advantage and project a favourable impression by dressing sharply and appropriately for the occasion. Unless you have made it to the top where you don’t care about what other people think about you, it may be okay to dress more relaxed, but for others, it’s still worth paying attention to your attire. A well-tied, designed and colour-matched necktie can be a reflection for men of their attention to little details and how much they value perfection.
When is it still acceptable to wear a tie?
Even today, ties may still be essential to wear on certain occasions, such as weddings, job interviews or networking events, where you need to make a good impression. This will, however, largely depend on your profession (such as law, business consultancy etc.). In case of job interviews, we recommend you dress for the job you want to get, not for the job you already have.
Apart from the occasions that demand a tie, you may find yourself in a situation where wearing a tie can make you appear respectable in a subtle way, for example, the first date.
Final thoughts
To answer the original question of whether men’s ties are going out of fashion – yes, they are going out of style. For better or worse, less and fewer men wearing a tie as part of their formal outfit and even though they aren’t dead yet, their importance is slowly diminishing. Only time will tell, however, whether we will see a necktie completely disappear or not.
FAQs
Final thoughts. To answer the original question of whether men's ties are going out of fashion – yes, they are going out of style. For better or worse, less and fewer men wearing a tie as part of their formal outfit and even though they aren't dead yet, their importance is slowly diminishing.
What ties are in style 2023? ›
In 2023, we're seeing a lot of textured ties. Knit ties are making a comeback, and for good reason. They add a touch of casual elegance to a suit and shirt combination. Wool ties are also popular this year, especially in darker colors like navy and a personal favorite, burgundy.
Are skinny ties in style 2023? ›
Just seven years after GQ reported on J. Crew's abandonment of the skinny tie, the style is back with a vengeance. These thin scraps of fabric have been making a splash on 2023's runways and red carpets.
Is the tie going away? ›
Few men actually enjoy wearing a tie. The good news is that it's going out of fashion. Finally. In fact, fashion experts have said that the tie is likely to be thrown to the back of the wardrobe and forgotten about within the next fifty years.
Why are ties out of style? ›
The Rise of Casual Fashion : Changing dress codes: We'll discuss how the modern workplace and social environments have become more relaxed, leading to a decline in formal dress codes that traditionally require ties.
What is not in style 2023? ›
High waisted jeans, turn up jeans, high waisted pants (carrot pants, paper bag pants), palazzo pants, gaucho pants, culottes, cropped pants, cropped jeans, high waist tennis skirts, skater skirts, knit pants, bleached denim jeans, short trench coat, hoodie sets, body fitting blazers, leggings, fur coats, collegiate ...
What is the biggest fashion trend of 2023? ›
In response to the ultra unpractical mini skirts of 2022, maxi skirts have dominated 2023. In line with the aforementioned cargo and denim trends, expect lots of low-rise, pocket-adorned silhouettes and floor-grazing jean skirts, as well as styles in various prints and unexpected materials like velvet.
What size tie is in style for 2023? ›
We consider slim ties to be between 2.5 and 3.0 inches wide.
For suits: These ties can be best paired with suits that have a thin lapel or regular lapel. For body types: This tie is extremely popular in 2023, because it's a safe medium for all body types. Whether you want to wear a skinny, slim or traditional tie.
How wide are ties in 2023? ›
3.25 Inches: This is the typical width of a standard tie today. It's a contemporary width that has become the norm in the last few years. (Standard ties were a bit wider before then.) 3.5 Inches: This is considered a standard or traditional width tie.
Are thin or thick ties in style? ›
Average or athletic body types are best suited towards tie widths in between those for skinny and broader men, ranging from 2.5 to 3.25 inches. Slimmer ties, such as cotton, linen, or knitted ties, could appear more trendy and casual, while slightly wider ties are best suited for more formal settings.
The Rise of Business Casual
And even within office cultures, the perception around ties began to change. Ties were something that could be slipped on before a big meeting, but they were fundamentally unnecessary and something of a nuisance to many men.
Who wears ties anymore? ›
When is it still acceptable to wear a tie? Even today, ties may still be essential to wear on certain occasions, such as weddings, job interviews or networking events, where you need to make a good impression. This will, however, largely depend on your profession (such as law, business consultancy etc.).
What is the future of the tie? ›
“The state of the tie market has been dismal,” Grossman says, “but there is a notable return to dress-up in menswear right now. I'm not sure I'd call it a comeback, but we will see more ties being sold in 2023 than 2022.” Anne-Marie Colban, co-owner of Paris' venerable Charvet, agrees.
Is it disrespectful to not wear a tie? ›
But you are expected to wear a tie at nighttime formal events, such as an evening wedding or any black-tie event. Many conservative offices have a formal business dress code and will also frown upon not wearing a tie. They may see a tie-free outfit as a sign of disrespect and not caring about your job.
When did people stop wearing ties? ›
Removing the necktie as a social and sartorial business requirement (and sometimes forbidding it) is a modern trend often attributed to the rise of popular culture. Although it was common as everyday wear as late as 1966, over the years 1967–69, the necktie fell out of fashion almost everywhere, except where required.
Do people still wear ties to weddings? ›
Expect to wear a suit and tie. Night weddings generally require guests to have a more polished, formal appearance. Expect to wear a suit and tie. If the nighttime wedding is black-tie, you're going to need a tuxedo or well-fitting black suit, at the very least.
Is lace out of style 2023? ›
Lace. Expected to be a popular trend in 2023, lace is a delicate and intricate fabric that adds texture and elegance to clothing. In dresses, blouses, and skirts, it can be used in a variety of ways, dressed up or down depending on the occasion [7].
Is tie dye out of style 2023? ›
Welcome the vibrant trend of summer 2023, Tie-dye, Yes, it is back, and even in a modish way! The trend has not seen making a firm impact and was quiet for years.
What is black tie in 2023? ›
To the letter of the dress code, black tie is handsome and glamorous but it's also sober and inflexible. You dress to blend in, not stand out. The suit should be vent-free and in black wool or, better still, midnight blue with satin facing on the lapels and with braid stripes down the trouser seams.
