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Ties and I have a complicated history. From the years 2002 to 2004 I diligently double-Windsored a red Yves Saint Laurent tie around my neck—and over a Chloé pineapple-print T-shirt—inspired by my alt girl hero, Avril Lavigne. That phase was briefly followed by a Strokes-meets-Slimane inspired skinny suit and skinny tie moment, after which I pinkie promised—swore!—to never knot myself into such a sartorial pickle again. And then I saw Bella Hadid walk down the runway at Alyx’s fall 2020 menswear show in a white shirt, black trousers, and sleek black leather tie. Suddenly I needed a tie again.
I’m not alone in the quest for the best ties to wear in 2020. Earlier in the year, my boyfriend and I went to a casual wedding in Byron Bay, Australia, that left him grappling for the appropriate neckwear. At a cousin’s wedding, my father struggled to find just one tie in his rack that didn’t read tragically ’80s. A friend at GQ made a New Year’s resolution to wear more ties, and my friends at Thom Browne have been bragging about their cool new seasonal ties and vintage tiepins. Even Junya Watanabe, he of the most alt menswear in the game, is advocating for a classic Italianate look for fall 2020—yes, tie included. In 2020, almost two decades after my failed attempts at neckwear style, ties are making a resplendent and gender-free comeback.
Here, 16 of the best ties for men and women to buy now and wear for months to come—just not with pineapple Chloé tees.
Knit Ties
Try a retro look with a slender knit tie and a nubbly tweed blazer.
Classic Black Ties
Channel your inner Bella Hadid with a New Wave black tie.
Something Fun
For those feeling wild, a Gucci monogram tie or a leopard number from Dries Van Noten.
A Little Preppy
From Celine and Thom Browne, two ways to reimagine prep that are anything but stodgy.
