There’s a funny thing that happens every Fashion Month—the debut of new collections kicks things off in Copenhagen, before moving to New York, then Paris, Milan and London, and with that series of locations comes a super-fast evolution of micro trends. I don’t just mean watching mini trends transforming into bigger, more substantial moments, although that happens too. I mean watching as the hot accessory worn all over Copenhagen makes it way to NYC where New Yorkers tweak and twist it to fit our own style…before the women of Paris, Milan and London do the same. The latest of these micro trends to make the leap from Scandinavia to New York? The classic neck tie, and I predict New York women will style the accessory better than any other city.
This Major Copenhagen Fashion Week Trend Is Perfect for NYC Gals—Here’s How to Copy the Scandi Style
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Numerous attendees at Copenhagen Fashion Week were spotted rocking classic neck ties with other office-appropriate staples—pinstriped suits, blazers, sweater vests, etc. And I’ve already started to see plenty of NYC fashion influencers and editors twisting this accessory trend to make it their own. Stateside, they’re leaning more into an “opposites attract” approach, with folks layering a neck tie under half-zip sweatshirts, Carhartt jackets and rugby shirts, often paired with tennis skirts, cargo pants, or loose-leg jeans. I’ve also seen gals accessorizing their ties with brooches, pins and other charms to tone down the FiDi vibes.
As a millennial, I’ve long avoided accessorizing with a neck tie, its connection to early aughts Avril Lavigne and other emo-pop musicians. I still bristle against the idea of rocking a black tie, especially a skinny one, but there’s no denying the current wave of women’s ties looks pretty fab. And while I’m always a proponent of styling things in whatever way you like (there are no true “rules” in fashion, after all), I do have some recommendations for how to wear this accessory trend like a NY fashion pro.
1. Choose Any Color Except Black or Navy
The easiest way to avoid looking like your stockbroker cousin is to opt for a neck tie in a bold color or pattern. Pastel florals, burgundy-and-beige stripes or colorful paisley are instantly more fun and whimsical, helping to break away from those office vibes.
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2. Pair It with Something Sporty or Casual
As I mentioned earlier, a surefire way to adopt that NYC cool is by wearing your neck tie with something of an entirely different aesthetic, like a half-zip or a rugby shirt. To keep things cohesive, opt for pieces with similar colors, like the pale blue tie and striped overalls pictured above.
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3. Add Some Embellishment
Bar far the coolest way to rock a tie the NY way is by adding pins and other embellishment. I’m talking oversize safety pins, brooches, charms and even earrings—anything you can clip to your neck tie to give it a little touch of glam.
