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Creative ways to wear a necktie: five unconventional ideas from formal to casual

Updated: Jun 11



Written by Kendra W. Houston | Artist & Fashion Designer
Kendra specializes in creating one-of-a-kind clothing items by hand-painting custom designs on them. She works with clients looking for something truly unique to wear for their weddings, charity galas, and other special occasions.


A collection of colorful neckties on a beige background, including ties with polka dots and stripes, as well as in solid colors in red, pink, mint, gray, and brown.

"What do I do with this now?"

The answer may surprise you!


Unconventional ways to wear neckties: far from being old-fashioned, this accessory has more potential than you may know

Whenever someone sees my work, it's common for me to hear something along the lines of, "Wow, your ties are really cool!" I also frequently hear a "but" after that statement: "...but I don't wear ties for work anymore." "...but I have nowhere to wear it." "...but I've never tied a tie." "...but I don't know anyone who wears ties nowadays." "...but I could never pull that off." "...but these are too edgy/flamboyant/loud for the work that I do." A lot of versions of, "I love it, but honestly just don't know what I'd do with it."


This also applies to people who get a special tie for a specific occasion, and wonder what to do with it after. Ties have a rep for being worn in very specific ways, which is why you don't see bold and artsy ones like mine quite as often. One of the reasons I started painting ties was to show off their lesser-tapped potential as unique accessories, unrelated to traditional usage. They can easily work with a much wider variety of people and situations than you may think! For those wondering what place a statement necktie might have in your wardrobe long-term, today I'm sharing five tips for styling these ubiquitous and often-misunderstood accessories.


Get a custom hand-painted tie of your own


If you’d like to add a really special clothing accessory to your event (and to wear beyond!), I can help! Let’s create something for you to wear that’s unique, creative, and 100% made for you.




Tip 1. The "Costume Change" Hack


If you have a job or situation that requires you to dress up but be boring while you're at it, this hack is a way to up the fun factor of your outfits without sacrificing "professionalism." Choose a tie that has a more exciting part on the bottom half, and looks more neutral on top/towards the knot. Wear a vest to work (which looks pretty sharp anyway). When work is over: unbutton the vest, loosen the tie, and roll up your sleeves. In a few seconds without actually changing clothes, you've just changed into a casual off-hours outfit that's both stylish and original.


Man in sunglasses and a white shirt with rolled sleeves wearing a gray vest and a hand-painted art tie, sitting outdoors with trees in the background. The tie shows a surfer in the tube of a wave. The design near the knot of the tie becomes more subtle, showing abstract ocean waves.

Smiling person with long hair sits on a chair, holds paintbrushes. Wearing an open white blazer, floral shoes, and a hand-painted tie that has a Hummingbird and flowers on it. Beige background.

This hack works with jackets as well as vests.



Tip 2. For Special Occasions (beyond the first one)


Everyone gets invited to a wedding, celebration of life, black tie gala, or nice dinner every so often. Formal events are a great opportunity to lean into the most "you" parts of your wardrobe. Whether it's a piece you already own but don't have as much chance to wear, or a desire to buy something new, dressing in something special and expressive of your personality is one of the joys of fancy occasions. Ties are available in so many colors and themes, you're sure to find one that matches the vision for your outfit and the event. Plus, their more "one-size" nature means you get to worry less about fit. Once the event is over, a tie has potential for more frequent re-wearing opportunities than the gown or suit. Keep it around for future nice occasions, and to use when implementing the other tips in this list!


Mannequin in a black suit jacket, blue skirt, and a purple hand-painted tie with sun and crescent moon designs. Background features a light green wall and a white door.

Man in dark blazer and ocean-themed hand-painted tie stands in a garden. Tie features fish, coral, and a scuba diver. Shell and starfish pin on lapel.


Tip 3. Complete a Casual Outfit


It's likely that you've at least once livened up an outfit with a unique necklace, watch, scarf, hat, or other statement accessory--maybe you even do it regularly. A necktie can be used in the same way, and feels especially fun in casual contexts. Next time you plan an outing with friends, choose a tie to build your outfit around. Try matching your tie to the activity or location if you feel like it!





Want to see what kinds of custom pieces are possible?


Check out my gallery of past projects: they might just be the perfect inspiration for your own.







Tip 4. "Not a Tie" Looks


At the end of the day, a necktie is just a long strip of cloth and you can use it accordingly! Lose the traditional knot styles and experiment with using ties as hair ribbons, headbands, belts, bag straps, or anything else you can think of. If you still want it around the neck, you can also tie it as you would a scarf, or use a neckerchief/scarf clip to hold it together. These ideas are especially nice if you don't know how to tie a tie the traditional way and don't feel like learning,




Tip 5. Holiday Parties


Any holiday is an excuse to gather and dress thematically... i.e., a chance to wear something fun. It's likely your tie would be a great addition to at least one themed activity during the year. Next time you're headed to a seasonal celebration, consider showing off with that festive accessory.


The winter holidays are especially perfect for out-of-the-box choices (yay OppoSuits and Ugly Sweaters!)--as shown in these two examples:

Man in a chair raises a glass, smiling. He's wearing a black tie with a hand-painted design on it showing blue and white snowflakes. He's next to a fireplace, blue wall, books, and a crystal decanter. Cozy, relaxed mood.

Snowflakes tie and cozy toasts


Woman in green pants dances joyfully at an outdoor event. She wears a beige top and tie hand-painted with Poinsettias on it, surrounded by people and festive decor at night.

Poinsettias tie for dancing at the company holiday party



(bonus) Final Tip: Solo Fashion Show


I've saved an important tip for last! This one is for anyone feeling intimidated: those feeling curious but still solidly in the "I could never pull that off" camp. Next time you've got a bit of time to yourself--like relaxing before bed or during a work-from-home lunch break--gather together a few ties and start trying them on with different styling/outfit ideas. (If you don't own any ties, chances are you know someone who does, who you could borrow from for a day or two.) Playing dress-up is a way to try out all of these unconventional ways to wear a necktie (and other ideas that come to you) without worrying about what others will think. It takes any potential pressure and anxiety out of exploring something different. The more you do it, the more you get a sense of your own personal style preferences and figure out what makes you feel good and confident. Over time, you'll get more used to the new looks in the mirror, until you eventually feel excited enough to try them out in the real world!


A woman taking a picture of herself in a mirror with a silly pose while wearing a hand-painted sailing tie around her head

In case you were wondering: this look did not make it into the "approved for the real world" pile.


The best news? The wait for the perfect tie is over...


If you're feeling inspired to do some tie wearing or gifting of your own, consider exploring the potential of a custom hand-painted one! We make sure the piece you end up with is absolutely perfect for you, the event, and all of its wearing potential afterwards. Learn more at my custom designs page:



The Assistant makes frequent use of the studio mirror for his own solo fashion shows...though the outfit rarely varies from his favorite unadorned fur coat look. I suspect he's a closet minimalist.


a pet rabbit looks at himself in the mirror

Want to hear the amazing stories behind custom pieces, like some of these ties?

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Woman smiling in a light jacket and hand-painted purple fern scarf, standing indoors with floral decor in the background. Bright, cheerful mood.

About Kendra


Kendra W. Houston is a visual artist and fashion designer who specializes in customizing clothing items by painting one-of-a-kind designs on them by hand.

 

She is based out of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and appreciates contributing to the slow fashion movement in one of the birthplaces of American industrial textile mills. She works out of a cozy home studio, assisted by her pet rabbit Tiverton.


Kendra's designs are detailed and immersive, often reflecting things that hold special significance to the wearer. The name of her brand, The Casual Reply, comes from a line in a John Denver song: “talk to God and listen to the casual reply.”

 

Each one of her items is a handcrafted work of fine art that is nonetheless intended to be used and worn as an entirely functional clothing item. Continuing and meaningfully adding to the story of a garment using unconventional, personal themes and designs is a source of true joy for Kendra in pursuing this calling.

 

She regularly participates as a featured designer in charity fashion shows as well as juried art events throughout New England.

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