For a woman who has never checked the FTSE, had to say ‘COB’ in seriousness and only ever lightly dabbled in Avril Lavigne listening (I know, I know), I’ve never really felt like I have much business or authority in adding a tie to my accessory wardrobe. Re-watches of Annie Hall to one side, I keep seeing ties popping up in a non-ironic, back-to-school sense. First it was the Autumn/Winter 2024 catwalks – see Vivienne Westwood, Balenciaga, Loewe, Lacoste and Schiaparelli (where, ahem, ties were admittedly made from hair, so perhaps unachievable for my fine mane).
Then it was at a gig, watching one of my favourite bands, The Lemon Twigs, go full '70s dad in a suit and tie. Most recently, tie-spiration came via the Sézane website, styled with jeans and a blazer, rescuing me from any Sk8r Boi memories a striped tie had long conjured. Plus, with Bella Freud’s shiny new collaboration with Marks and Spencer boasting a tie amongst its 26 pieces, I thought, Which, in a sense, made me wonder if I could style it myself.
Plus, if Carrie can do it with her pink shirt and white waistcoat, maybe I really could give it a whirl. So, with a busy mind full of important questions such as: 'Is it possible to style a tie if you don’t work in the city?' 'Do I look like I’m off 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 one hand, ready for a week of being.
