Four Times when Skinny Neckties Have Been a Fashion Trend

Narrow Neckties in the Early Years

Both tipped and square end tie where a slim 2 to 2 ½ inches during the first 15 years of leading up to World War I. Fashion halted its forward march due to the war and shortages directly related to the war, so thin ties continued to be worn into the early 1920’s.

Mid Century Skinny Ties

Ties widened to the 3 ½ to 4 inch range in the 20’s and 30’s and exploded to the 4 to 4 ¾ inch range during the 40’s, and narrowed down again during the mid 50’s to mid 60’s. Every part of a man’s business attire slimmed down: tapered pants and smaller suit lapels led to slimmer ties to match proportionately. Whereas ties were very colorful during the 1940’s, neckwear during the 1950’s copied the subdued colors of men’s outfits. The classic skinny black tie was born and has been popular ever since.

1980’s Thin Neckwear

The widest ties ever reemerged during the 60’s and 70’s, but the 80’s were all about the retro look. Designing firms looked to vintage ties for their inspiration. Many new wave music bands wore skinny ties as did most everyone else.

Modern Day Skinny Ties

It seems that every 20 years or so narrow ties are reintroduced, and a whole new generation of tie enthusiasts has a chance to try slim neckwear. A few places online offer a retro look, but most all other designers have simply produced slimmer versions of the usual array of solids and patterns, which is a shame. For this reason many people turn to vintage neckties for a truly unique look.