The Best-Dressed Are All Wearing Ties – And This Is How You Do Right

The '80s accessory is back in fashion's good books...

Halloween has come and gone, but fashion’s latest craze for the ‘80s has got little to do with fancy dress. Broad-shouldered suits and even wider ties are giving minimal tailoring a run for its money, prompting us to embrace the Working Girl get-up once more - minus the brick-size phone, perhaps.

If this has got you thinking of Diane Keaton in Baby Boom, you’re on the right track. Since the spring/summer ‘25 Saint Laurent show, the onus has firmly shifted from a paired-back ‘90s aesthetic to a more dressed-up approach with more character. The pièce de résistance? Extra wide ties - preferably patterned - or, as neatly executed by Eddie Redmayne on the red carpet, matching the colour of the shirt.

This antithesis to the ‘60s mod look (sorry, The Dare) has already garnered a fervid fandom amongst celebrities, who have tapped the accessory to semaphore serious business. Saint Laurent aficionado, Hailey Bieber already donned a runway look on a night out, whilst Kelly Rowland joined her fellow Destiny’s Child member, Beyoncé, to support Kamala Harris at the presidential rally, wearing a boxy pinstripe suit, complete with a burgundy tie. Elsewhere, Kristin Davis was spotted on the set of And Just Like That in a scarf-tie situation – and we can't not mention Billie Eilish, of course, who regularly puts a casual spin on this menswear staple, wearing a black tie with untucked white shirts.

Worried about treading fancy dress territory still? Take a leaf out of the A-lister rule book. No bones about it, it certainly is a commitment. But once you get it right, you won’t feel like you’re cosplaying a Wall Street broker from 1984. First, think about the frame: a delectable, oversized suit and a crisp white shirt are the be-all and end-all to getting it right.

Turn to vintage stores or to eBay for high-quality vintage styles in great fabrics. Next up, the tie: again, opt for authentic second-hand styles or, alternatively, look to specialised menswear stores - silk ties get our vote. And lastly, steer clear of small tie knots. Classic ways to wear your tie, such as the Four-In-Hand and the Half-Windsor, will take your look from finance bro to fashion aficionado.

Vintage ties are a great starting point, especially if you're looking to try a more interesting pattern. This vintage Saint Laurent tie is a steal compared to its usual price, so get yourself a bargain.

If you don't fancy the '80s vibe of a wide tie, try something a little more narrow. Mango's tie selection is a great starting point.

Be sure to check out the menswear tie collections, Reiss' silk blend offering comes in plenty of colours including the shade of the season, burgundy.

Hit the high-street for some great options, M&S' machine washable tie is available in 5 different shades - plus, it's a total steal at only £10.

Paul Smith have plenty of great patterns and prints, try a diagonal stripe in a linen fabric for a more modern take on silk.

High street heroes, John Lewis' 100% silk tie will look perfectly at home with a sharp suit or with oversized tailoring for a fashion forward take.

Search vintage ties on eBay for thousands of great pre-loved options at great prices, you can even buy as bundles so you'll have plenty of colours to pick from.

Henrik Lischke is the senior fashion features editor at Grazia. Prior to that, he held the role of commerce writer at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style. A first-class honours Fashion Journalism graduate from UAL: London College of fashion, Henrik is invariably on the lookout for the newest talent in fashion, that is driving the industry forward, and shining the spotlight on them whenever possible. He’s also got a passion for interiors design and the arts.