Don't underestimate the power of neck ties for women—they can add a bold touch to your outfit. If you're new to wearing them, understanding some style basics beyond simply tying the knot is essential. Mastering the art of styling and avoiding common tie blunders will ensure you step out looking sharp and stylish.
Steps
Creating Casual Ensembles
Enhance your casual attire by pairing a skinny tie with a blazer. Introducing a skinny tie to your work attire can instantly elevate your everyday look. Opting for a black or navy blazer offers versatility as it complements any tie color.
- Add a pop of color with a vibrant tie and a solid-colored button-up for a fun after-work appearance.
- Achieve a casual-chic style by teaming jeans, a collared blouse, and a blazer.
- For a grunge or rockstar vibe, pair a skinny silk tie (either worn traditionally or in a loose bow) with a laid-back tee or distressed top.
Elevate your casual style by tucking your tie into a vest. Pair any size tie with a vest, ensuring the base is tucked in. For a sophisticated look, button the vest, or keep it open for a more relaxed vibe.
- Add an edgy twist by matching a black vest and tie with a red and black patterned shirt.
Sport a loose tie with a button-up for a laid-back aesthetic. Maintain a cohesive appearance with a loose, casual tie by opting for a relaxed collar. Unbutton the top 2 to 3 buttons for a slightly disheveled look.
- Avoid attempting to coordinate your tie with a patterned button-up shirt. If your shirt features vibrant colors, opt for a black (or other solid color) tie.
- If your shirt is solid, inject some playfulness by donning a colorful or patterned tie.
Loosen up your style by leaving the top button of your shirt undone. Avoid the rigidity of a fully buttoned shirt by leaving the top button undone, providing some breathing space around your neck. For a more relaxed or flirtatious look, leave the top 2 or 3 buttons undone.
- However, if you prefer a polished or contemporary appearance, feel free to button up all the way!
Embrace a preppy vibe by wearing a tie under a sweater. Allow the tie to peek out from the neckline of your sweater for a smart interpretation of collegiate style. Ensure a balanced look—opt for a tie darker than both your sweater and the collared shirt beneath.
- Ensure the sweater isn't too snug, causing a bulge where the tie is situated.
Infuse a playful touch by accessorizing a simple summer or day dress with a tie. Transform a basic neckline by draping a tie around your neck or fashioning a loose bow tie. This technique adds a contemporary twist to a straightforward outfit.
- If you have an A-line or shirtdress with a collar, opt for a skinny tie (tied in a standard knot) for an androgynous appeal.
Pair your tie with a complementary plain belt. Remember to incorporate a belt when wearing a tie! It helps balance your ensemble, especially with jeans or trousers. However, this isn't a strict rule—depending on your desired aesthetic, a tie can look equally stylish without a belt.
- For instance, it's perfectly acceptable to forgo a belt when teaming the tie with a dress or lengthy blouse covering the waistband of your pants or jeans.
- Opting for a brown or black belt is always a safe choice.
Fashioning Refined Ensembles
Add a feminine, sophisticated touch by draping the tie around your neck like a scarf. Simply wrap the tie around your neck as you would with a scarf. While it may not provide warmth, it effortlessly elevates a typical jeans-and-top combination, transitioning from day to night effortlessly.
- This method is perfect for transitioning your ensemble from daytime to evening.
- If wearing a collared button-up, leave the top 2 or 3 buttons undone for a relaxed vibe.
Create a runway-worthy appearance by tying your tie into a loose bow. Loop the tie around your neck like a scarf and tie it into a large, floppy bow (similar to tying shoelaces). Complete the look with tailored trousers or slim jeans and heels for an evening ensemble.
- Dress it down with tailored shorts, flats, and a simple top for a casual feel.
- Layer a blazer over the top and allow the bow to hang for a vintage-inspired flair.
- Position the bow slightly off-center for a bold statement.
- You can achieve this look with a standard skinny tie or a pussy bow tie.
Ensure your tie is paired only with collared shirts or blouses. Reserve ties for garments that support and complement them, such as button-down shirts or blouses with collars. Avoid pairing ties with tank tops, t-shirts, scoop-necks, or halter tops. However, a neck tie fashioned into a bow can exude sophistication when paired with a scoop-neck or off-the-shoulder blouse, allowing you to diverge from traditional norms.
- Stay true to your personal style—if you want to make a statement with any top and tie combination, go for it!
Elevate your dress with an asymmetric neck tie bow as a standout accessory. Opt for a sophisticated touch by loosely tying a regular neck tie or pussy bow tie and draping it over a classic tunic dress, A-line dress, or shirtdress. Maintain a cohesive color scheme throughout your outfit, allowing the tie to add a modern flair.
- Experiment with a black neck tie bow paired with red, black, and tan hues for a chic, contemporary ensemble.
Ensure your tie matches the quality of your top. When pairing a tie with non-collared shirts or blouses, opt for high-quality fabrics that complement the elegance of the tie. For example, pair a silk tie with a silk blouse rather than a wrinkled old t-shirt.
- Feel free to bend this rule to achieve your desired casual or avant-garde aesthetic. For instance, pair a simple cotton neck tie with a silk blouse, tweed shorts, and cropped jacket for a playful daytime or evening look.
Channel vintage vibes with a pussy bow tie and a high-collared blouse. Embrace a nostalgic 'Gibson Girl' aesthetic by combining a pussy bow tie with a high-collared or turtleneck blouse. Keep the remainder of your outfit contemporary to avoid appearing dated.
- To create a polished yet vintage-inspired look, pair a high collar and pussy bow with high-waisted dark wash jeans or slacks, complemented by pumps, heeled boots, or slingbacks.
Make a statement with a runway-worthy ensemble featuring a pussy bow and a plunging neckline. Enhance a little black dress or blouse with a plunging neckline by accessorizing with a short or long pussy bow tie. Opt for a wider pussy bow if you prefer more coverage.
- Avoid adding a necklace to this ensemble to maintain a clean, sophisticated look.
- For an avant-garde touch, select a short, narrow pussy bow.
Selecting the Perfect Tie
Ensure your tie reaches the top of your belt for a polished appearance. Select a tie of appropriate length to avoid an awkward look. The tip of the tie should extend down to touch the very top of your belt. Anything shorter may appear disproportionate.
- If your tie is too short, consider concealing the end under a blazer or vest.
- For a dramatic effect, allow a tie draped like a scarf to hang lower.
Harmonize tie width with your body frame for a flattering silhouette. Opt for skinny or narrow ties (approximately 1.5 to 2 inches wide) if you have a petite frame. For medium or large frames, opt for wider ties (around 2.5 to 3.5 inches wide).
- Experiment with tie widths to find your preferred style, as there are no strict rules.
- Avoid overly thick ties, as they may appear cartoonish; opt for a more slender width if uncertain.
Elevate your look with a pussy bow for a blend of modernity and vintage charm. Opt for a thicker pussy bow for a classic vintage vibe or an ultra-skinny one for a modern or avant-garde aesthetic.
- Pussy bows complement power suits and flowy blouses effortlessly.
- Channel the 1920s by attaching a pussy bow to the bottom of a collared v-neck shirt or sweater using a safety pin.
- These bows, with their versatile styles, have been in vogue since the early 1900s and are experiencing a resurgence.
Opt for timeless colors and patterns for versatility. Choose ties and pussy bows in classic hues like white, black, navy, or taupe for maximum adaptability. Alternatively, for statement pieces, opt for bold colors such as electric blues, vibrant reds, or bright pinks.
- When selecting patterns, consider polka dots, florals, geometric designs, or simple stripes, ensuring they complement rather than clash with other motifs in your attire.
- Pairing a paisley shirt with a floral tie may appear overwhelming; instead, opt for a solid color tie or bow.
Expert Advice
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Draw inspiration from iconic women in fashion history—Princess Diana, Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Brigette Bardot, Patti Smith, and Ellen Degeneres have all embraced the tie!
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Maintain a polished look by ensuring your blouses and button-ups are impeccably ironed.
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Avoid accessorizing excessively; for instance, refrain from pairing a long tie with a bulky necklace.
Cautions
- Ensure your necktie isn't overly tight, as studies suggest it may impede blood flow to the brain.