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The Thin of It

A skinny tie can change the whole proportion of your look. You could wear a navy suit, a white shirt, and a striped tie and appear like just about any other banker or politician out there; but if you wore that same suit and shirt with a skinny striped tie, suddenly you'd look updated and cool. I came across some good tips on the Internet from men who wear skinny ties. They say these ties look best with a fitted shirt and thin lapels. In addition, I've seen men on the street wearing their skinny ties with cardigans, forgoing the lapel altogether.

You may think that skinny ties are a fleeting trend, but scroll down to my photos to see that they are not. Skinny ties have been worn to great effect by musicians, actors and even confirmed prepsters (see Michael J. Fox) in every decade since the fifties.

My friend from college Kevin Sharkey updates his traditional look with skinny striped tie. Bryant Park, NYC, February 2008.

Sidney Poitier, rocking a look similar to Kevin's, albeit in 1970 (Photo: Getty).

This guy is actually wearing a cardigan, instead of a blazer, with this skinny tie. Madison Avenue, NYC, May 2008.

Clint Eastwood (with his wife Maggie) attends the premiere of Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Chinese Theater in a tuxedo with a skinny tie. Hollywood, CA, 1961 (Photo: Getty).

For groovy guys on the street today, a skinny tie and cardigan seem to go hand in hand. Madison Avenue, NYC, May 2008.

Mick Jagger manages to bring the skinny tie back to its cool, slick sixties origins. Circa 1980s (Photo: Getty).

This guy has all the right details -- the skinny tie, the thin white suspenders, and the jacquard pattern in his white shirt. Bryant Park, NYC, September 2007.