Ties for Women: Ways to Accessorize
By Katharine Swan
Ties are no longer a look reserved just for men. Every year, the fashions modeled on the runway demonstrate that what used to be considered men’s fashions are quickly becoming fashionable for women to wear. For instance, manufacturers of fashionable women’s clothing have adapted the look of a men’s tuxedo for women’s formalwear; tux-inspired women’s suits are being sold for both special occasions and work clothing. In addition, ties have become increasingly popular as accessories for women.
A New Spin on the Traditional Look
Some of the most stunning tie-related looks for women call for a traditional tie – not frilled or feminized in any way. Women who opt for this look wear their ties with collared, button-up shirts, creating a new spin on the traditional style. Where as skinny ties are currently very popular for men, on the runway many female models are flaunting wide ties tied with looser knots, setting their look apart from the men’s. Depending on how you plan the outfit, this look could be worn to almost any occasion, from casual to formal, relaxed to ultra-stylish.
A Little Less Daring
If you are interested in a more conservative look, go with a more feminized tie. Bow ties, floppy bows, shorter ties, “tulip” ties, and rosettes all allow women the respect a tie commands without looking too trendy or alternative. These ties are often made of more feminine materials, such as glossier silks and satins in more feminine colors and prints. Because these ties are a little more conservative in appearance, they are usually best reserved for more formal occasions, such as dinner parties or workplaces with a conservative dress code.
Skinny Scarves
If wearing a tie is just a little bit too daring for you, many of the same looks can be achieved with skinny scarves. Scarves are no longer being worn just to keep your neck warm, but as an accessory, in the same vein as a necklace or – you guessed it – a tie. Skinny scarves can be worn wrapped once around the neck and allowed to hang down in front, folded in half and draped around the neck with the ends threaded through the loop, or tied around the neck like a tie. Depending on the scarf and the outfit it accompanies, this look can be manipulated to fit almost any dress code. As an added bonus, although skinny scarves create a great look in their own rights, practicing with skinny scarves can help you become comfortable enough with the style to eventually make the switch to a real tie.
Creatively Adding Men’s Ties to Women’s Fashion
Finally, accessorizing with a tie doesn’t have to mean wearing it around your neck. You can wear a tie in all of the same ways that you might wear a skinny scarf: not just around the neck, but also as a belt or in your hair. These looks best accessorize a casual outfit, so be sure that you are dressing appropriately for the occasion. The idea here is to hit just the right note: funky, without going over the top.
Time and again, the women’s fashion industry has proven that what looks good on men can look good on women too. With so many different tie-related styles to choose from, every woman is sure to find a look she is comfortable with.
