All old things are new again. That is the case with mens narrow neckties. The style was introduced during the beginning of the 20th century and gained its largest following during the 1950’s and 1960’s, then made a youthful comeback in the 1980’s. Today they are making a comeback again with stars like Leonardo DeCaprio, Will Arnett and other celebrities choosing skinny black neckties to wear with their tuxedos at the recent Golden Globes Awards.

Thin Ties of the 1920’s

It is typically recognized that skinny men’s ties range in width from 1 to 3 inches across the widest part of the necktie. Both pointed neckties and flat bottom skinny neckties during the beginning of the last century were thin, ranging from 2 to 2 ½ inches wide. Some ties measuring as thin as 1 ½ inches, were even referred to generally at the time as string neckties. Styles didn’t change the following decade because of shortages brought about by World War I. Thin ties in the area of 2 inches were worn into the late 20’s, but wouldn’t come around again until the 50’s.

In the interim, as stated by Sarah Gibbings, in her fantastic book “The Tie: Trends and Traditions”, the austerity of World War II left no funds, no available supplies or factories in Europe. This compelled European men to move towards the new world for a new look, something to exemplify their forward looking postwar aspirations. Ex soldiers sought bright colors and exciting patterns, anything happy and upbeat. The US delivered with a trend toward the wide, florid and extravagantly colored ties which went on to set the style for the 40’s and early 1950’s. In order to display these ties, the men’s jacket lapels started to become broader and suits were buttoned lower which gave the man more area for the necktie.

1950’s Narrow Ties  

The American attitude of the middle 1950’s was dampned by a recession, the Korean War and the Cold War. Men’s suits reflected the Nation’s more restrained attitude. Styles became more conservative, with slimmer trousers, smaller lapels and skinnier neckties to match. Vivid and brilliant color combinations were pushed out by restrained patterns and solid colors. This brought about the certified rebirth of the quintessential skinny black necktie.

As popular stars such as Elvis started to wear skinny ties, the young men copied their style. By the middle of the 1960’s neckties as thin as 1 inch were worn by conservative men and young men alike.

Thin Ties of the 1980’s

Narrow neckties made a comeback in the 80’s, especially in the new wave music scene, which was a repudiation of the florid and extravegant style of the 1970’s.

Thin Ties Are Here Again

Skinny neckties are popular again. Just the other night attorney Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) appeared on the Colbert Report wearing a dark thin necktie. During the episode, Stephen Colbert asked him to find something wrong with him. After a brief glance at Colbert’s wide yellow foulard patterned necktie, Romero quickly pointed out, “That tie is not my favorite”, which predictably brought lots of of giggles at Colbert’s expense.

While there is certainly space for all styles of neckties to match one’s personel style and comfort zone, there will always be something classy about the sleek and slender vision of a well dressed man sporting a extraordinary skinny tie. Original vintage thin neckties from the 1950’s, 60’s and 80’s are available online when searching for “vintage skinny ties”. Try one today!