How to Style Ties Olivia Purvis’s Guide to Wearing the Trend

It’s official; Ties are trendy. Author, content producer and all-round style icon Olivia Purvis spends a week styling the accessory of the season.

For a woman who has never checked the FTSE, had to seriously say “COB” and has only ever been lightly preoccupied with listening to Avril Lavigne (I know, I know), I never really felt like I had much business or Authority with adding a tie to my accessories wardrobe.

Aside from the reruns of “Annie Hall,” I keep seeing connections popping up in a non-ironic, scholastic sense. First it was the Fall/Winter 2024 runways – see Vivienne Westwood, Balenciaga, Loewe, Lacoste and Schiaparelli (where, ahem, ties were admittedly made from hair, so perhaps out of reach for my fine mane). Then it was at a gig where I watched one of my favorite bands, The Lemon Twigs, act like a 70s dad in a suit and tie.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Recently, tie inspiration came via the Sézane website, styled with jeans and a blazer, saving me from all the Sk8r Boi memories that a striped tie had long conjured up. And since Bella Freud’s shiny new collaboration with Marks and Spencer boasts a tie among the 26 pieces, I thought: could it be the new it accessory?

Which, in the spirit of Carrie Bradshaw, made me wonder if I could style it myself. And if Carrie can do it with her pink shirt and white vest, maybe I could actually give it a try.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

So, with a busy mind full of important questions like: “Is it possible to style a tie when you’re working out of town?” “Do I look like I’m on my way to a Busted reunion concert?” and “Can this element of power dressing make a pair of Sézane Le Crop jeans powerful?” I set off, YouTube video on “How to Tie a Tie” in hand, ready for a week as a serious businesswoman .

Monday

Start small! Pairing your tie with pants will make it look a little more subtle and less intrusive. I really didn’t want to do it to A really big statement and I feel like this knitted piece ties the outfit together well and gives things a bit of a cool Paul Smith feel.

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Tuesday

It’s day two of my formal tie styling quest and I think it’s abundantly clear that I had an elastic tie in elementary school. I couldn’t muster half a Windsor back then, and I sure as hell can’t do it now. Let’s call it intentional – it’s a small knot, easily untied… who knows! (Disclaimer: I had to ask my very patient friend for help.) I love how this yellow looks with the accents of blue and brown; It feels very much like a 70s news reporter.

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Wednesday

Am I having an Annie Hall fall?! You can’t style a tie without wearing a full suit at least once, right? I think this would also work really well with a darker vest and brown or tan pants (à la Annie) and paired with some old school Hollywood style sunglasses. It’s truly amazing what courage a new accessory can give you!

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Thursday

Basically, everything I did with the tie today isn’t a “traditional” method of tying (read: I had no idea what I was doing), but I feel like there’s something preppy/Madeline-ish about it , wear them with a ruffled blouse and a cardigan for something more feminine. This could also be fun with a silk scarf if you don’t have any ties lying around.

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Friday

End the week with a full-on, power-dressing homage to the ’80s. Arguably a bit David Byrne (and could be toned down here for a more “casual” approach with a pair of light blue jeans), but this week definitely made me realize that wearing a tie in the mix is ​​actually not just for those who working at One Canada Square. I’m excited to see how else I can wear it in the fall (perhaps under an apron with a blouse?) and can assure you that there’s more to ties than 2000s pop-rock (though maybe it’s about time , “Let Go” to light). to listen to)…

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