It’s 2025, and something unexpected is hanging in the closets of young women worldwide: the necktie. Once a strict symbol of men’s authority, this small piece of fabric now finds itself at the forefront of a quietly radical movement. In trendy offices and on social media platforms, women are swapping style tips on everything from tie knots to pattern mixing, eager to showcase an accessory that challenges convention. The question is why. What drives this revived fascination with a garment historically tied—literally and metaphorically—to male power and corporate culture?
The answer, as it turns out, is woven into a century of social upheaval, psychological nuance, and gender politics. If clothes can speak volumes, the women’s necktie trend is a bold declaration. Observers wonder: Is this simply a nostalgic callback to flappers and pop-punk stars of the past, or a deeper statement about identity and authority in a post-pandemic world?
The roots of this phenomenon trace back to the Roaring Twenties, when flappers—who boldly shed corsets—“borrowed” men’s ties as part of a new androgynous look. To these young rebels, a tie was more than a whim; it was a small but potent act of liberation. By the 1930s, Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich donned a tuxedo-and-tie ensemble on film, proving women could wear menswear with both charm and gravitas.
Over the ensuing decades, ties in women’s fashion ebbed and flowed. Mid-century saw the rise of the bow, a softer adaptation of the tie. The 1970s welcomed a more daring approach, with designers like Yves Saint Laurent adding traditional ties to women’s suits. Diane Keaton’s iconic tie-and-vest outfits in Annie Hall crystallized the look for a generation that craved individuality. By the early 2000s, music icons like Avril Lavigne reimagined the tie as a punk accessory over tank tops and cargo pants. With each revival, the necktie has carried its own cultural inflection, reflecting society’s ongoing renegotiation of who “owns” power and how it’s displayed.
When Hannah Berner borrowed her husband’s tie on a whim, she felt an instant jolt of confidence. “I felt powerful, like I could start explaining things I barely knew about—and people would listen,” she joked. Humour aside, her experience underscores the idea of enclothed cognition: the clothing we wear can alter both our self-perception and the way others see us.
For women, putting on a tie—long associated with male authority—adds layers of rebellion and empowerment. The act of wrapping something around the neck that was once off-limits can feel transgressive in the most thrilling way. It signals not only a reclamation of symbolic power but a subtle challenge to lingering stereotypes about whose shoulders, or necks, deserve respect in professional spaces.
However does adopting “male” symbols affirms an outdated norm, must women mirror traditional menswear to command authority? For many wearers, it’s less about mimicking men and more about reclaiming potent imagery for themselves. Like any complex social symbol, the tie means different things to different people, carrying echoes of rebellion, nostalgia, and assertion all at once.
Nowhere is this shift more visible than among Gen Z. Raised with fluid notions of gender and an affinity for thrift-shop creativity, these young trailblazers see the necktie as a blank canvas. Scroll through TikTok, and you’ll find viral challenges featuring vintage ties styled with baggy jeans, crop tops, or blazers two sizes too big. “Why not?” they say. “Fashion doesn’t belong to one gender.”
For Gen Z, the necktie functions as a playful mashup: part nod to formality, part rebellion against uniformity. Influencers who launched the “Tie Me Up Challenge,” collect thousands of videos from peers strutting in oversized men’s shirts and brightly patterned thrifted ties. They approach the tie with the same freedom as their parents’ generation did with denim jackets or sneakers—remixing tradition into something entirely new. What began as a simple subversion of masculine attire has evolved into a badge of individuality, fused with nostalgia for the early 2000s and the flapper spirit of the 1920s.
High fashion has caught the wave. At this year’s Paris Fashion Week, Saint Laurent sent models gliding down the runway in sharp-shouldered suits and flawlessly knotted ties, a look both authoritative and oddly futuristic. Smaller, avant-garde labels took it further with wild prints, exaggerated lengths, and creative drapery that turned ties into art statements. According to a 2025 Lyst Report, online searches for “women’s neckties” surged by 47% in the past quarter alone.
The secondhand market is also booming. Platforms like Depop and Etsy report an uptick in tie sales, with Gen Z buyers snapping up silk finds at bargain prices. Many cite sustainability as a motivating factor—why buy new when you can rescue a piece of history? Some creative enthusiasts even repurpose ties into belts, headbands, or patchwork clothing. Each purchase feels like both a style statement and a nod to the environment.
In corporate retail, the lines are blurring. Brands are adding ties to women’s collections, emphasizing slimmer cuts or playful patterns once reserved for men. By leaning into inclusivity, they recognize the economic potential of a trend that bridges vintage nostalgia and contemporary gender-fluid aesthetics.
If you’re curious about joining the necktie revival, there’s no shortage of ways to make it your own:
1. Own the Classics:
Channel “Annie Hall” with a crisp white button-down, a tailored blazer, and a complementary silk tie. Keep the knot neat. This timeless power outfit can command respect in a meeting or luncheon.
2. Mix Formal with Informal:
Layer a thin, loosely knotted tie over a graphic tee or hoodie, paired with jeans. The result says you’re playful, creative, and confident enough to break rules.
3. Embrace Feminine Edge:
For a chic twist, slip a skinny tie over a lace blouse or style it as a loose accessory with a midi dress. This contrast of delicate and structured infuses your outfit with elegance and boldness.
4. Express Yourself:
Scout vintage stores for unique prints, from classic paisley to cartoon motifs. Wear your tie like a necklace—loosen the knot, let it drape casually. When someone asks, “Why a tie?” you can flash a grin and reply, “Why not?”
Remember: a tie is an accent piece, but it can also be a statement. If your workplace skews conservative, opt for subtle prints or solid colors. In more casual or creative spaces, dare to experiment with patterns, bold knots, or tie-as-belt approaches. Either way, own your style with confidence.
Beneath the bright patterns and social media hype lies a deeper shift in culture. By reclaiming a classic symbol of masculine authority, women—and individuals of all gender identities—challenge conventions that once kept style neatly divided. This trend exudes playfulness and subversion in equal measure.
Yet some wonder if the tie’s enduring “power” still carries embedded notions of patriarchy. Are we championing liberation, or quietly upholding an old standard of professional authority? In truth, it can be both. Much like any social movement, fashion evolves in loops and whorls, revealing our layered attitudes toward identity and expression.
The brilliance of 2025’s necktie revival lies in its adaptability. Whether it’s a thrifty, eco-conscious purchase, a rebellious fashion statement, or a heartfelt nod to ancestral heritage (wearing a grandparent’s tie), each variation tells a story. At its core, this phenomenon underscores the truth that clothing is never just clothing—it’s a narrative we choose to share with the world.
