Question about menswear: neckties

Lena

I'm really excited to try this look, but I'm not sure about execution. I didn't use to wear a lot of buttondowns because they often didn't feel right with my short neck and short torso. Then I started to have fun layering wovens with cardigans and jackets thanks to YLF! And now I can't get the menswear idea out of my head! I'm specifically thinking about loose knots, btw. Is a loose knot even acceptable?

I'm assuming buttondowns and blouses are a good place to start. What about collar shapes? I have a hard time picturing a round collar blouse with a necktie.
How about knitwear? Dresses? (other than a jumper/buttondown combo?)

Also, I've been looking at vests (woven and knits) and I will definitely get one this season. However, I don't plan to wear both necktie and vest at the same time, it's probably overkill

Did anybody try this look already? Do you know of any visual examples? I can't seem to find the right keywords for a web search.

Thanks!

17 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Lena

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Course! I’ve been wearing neckties with shirts for years and love the androgynous, or school-girl look. It’s fun. Have you seen the most recent J Crew catalogue? I’ll go into detail for you Lena but the catalogue has visuals that speak louder than my words.

17 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

Lena:

This is not the greatest example ever, but it might be of some help:

http://i302.photobucket.com/al.....8/blue.jpg

17 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Kyle, I remember that outfit! You look very sharp and stylish.

Angie, I only have the October JCrew catalogue. I didn't spot any neckties except one outfit on p.82. I also checked the website and found these outfits:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../10478.jsp

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../10582.jsp

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../96159.jsp

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../95737.jsp

I see what they are going for. I also noticed that the neckties are tucked in. Oooh, this answers one of my questions (I was wondering about length). But can they also be untucked (hanging outside the vest or jumper)?

Actually yesterday I bit the bullet and tried a necktie with a blue buttondown and a brown A-line skirt. I loved it!

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go, Lena. You are well on your way. Enjoy the look and inspire others by posting pictures. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Hi Lena, I can't offer any help but if you take any pictures I would love to see them! Do you use real men's ties?

17 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Alright, I finally managed to take some pictures yesterday. I just noticed that I put the camera too high up, so the perspective is really skewed.

Marianne, I do plan to use men's ties. I would like to wear ties of somebody very dear to me (almost my adopted grandfather). Last week I raided his closet and came away with a small collection There's one tie I'm especially interested in, it's a genuine Kings College tie from Univ of Cambridge. I posted a detail on the bottom.

Blue buttondown (a bit too big), necktie (I stayed on the safe side with dark blue), brown corduroy skirt from Boden (last year's) Does this work with corduroy?

http://i348.photobucket.com/al....._5695a.jpg

Tweed jumper from GAP (quite old). Heh, the tie kept moving around. I know the jumper is short, should I wear it with skinnies?

http://i348.photobucket.com/al....._5699a.jpg

Tweed skirt from White House Black Market (several years old), Kings College tie, Hue patterned tights, Clarks Herring flats

http://i348.photobucket.com/al....._5729a.jpg

http://i348.photobucket.com/al....._5736a.jpg

Same outfit plus new BR vest (I still have the tags on - I think it's too long, I will try a petite version)

http://i348.photobucket.com/al....._5747a.jpg

Tie detail
http://i348.photobucket.com/al.....747tie.jpg

I have a question about tights and shoes. I have several types of tights: different colors microfishnets, patterns, differed colors opaque tights. What kind would go best with this look? As for shoes, I grabbed these silver flats (Clarks brand) because they were the closest In real life, I would probably wear these skirts with some medium heels (I have black oxford mary janes, but I don't like the heel, I'm looking to replace them in the future).

It's so much fun. I will definitely try more colors and patterns in the future.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

CUTE! My favorites are the outfit with the jumper and the one with the vest. I think I like that better than just a shirt and skirt on you. So very fun. I'm tempted to try this now, too. Thanks

(Oh, and yes, the jumper would probably look great over skinnies).

17 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I agree - cute!! You knot a tie well!!

My favourites are with the shift dress and the vest - both are great combos!

17 years ago

Dani

Veteran

Lena, I like the look of the tie best with the jumper (which would look very nice over skinnies). I'm not a big fan of the tie with the vest as that, in my book at least, is too trendy (two menswear items together). Does that make any sense? It is definitely a fun look!

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Lena, thank you for posting pictures! Very cute and inspirational. I am with Antje - love the jumper and the vest. I don't think the vest is too long, but it might be too big? Does the back adjust? I like it with skirts too, but I feel like something is missing, and I can't quite pinpoint what.
I agree, heels would work better and add a feminine element. Boots would be great, too - since the look is very fall-ish.

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

Oh! Fun. I too like the jumper and vest outfits best. I think adding a heel to the look would be good. It will make it more age appropriate. Perhaps tucking the tie, like was done in the J Crew pictures, could help add some interest to the outfits that are only shirts and skirts?

17 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Ladies, thank you for your comments.

I also tried tucking the tie, I really liked that look.

Marianne, the vest adjusts in the back, but it doesn't help. I think the problem area is the chest. And one size down is too tight. Oh well, there are other vests out there.

I will definitely try boots, too.

17 years ago

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