Fashion

It’s Happening Again: Women Wearing This Historically Scandalous Trend

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Oct 17, 2024

Spotted: a historically scandalous fashion statement once again making waves on the runways and the streets. But this one isn’t just about style—it’s about power. That’s right, Trendsetters, we’re seeing women wearing ties again. And if you think this is just another trend, think again.

This little accessory has a juicy, rebellious history that ties all the way back to the 1910s and 1920s, when flappers shocked society by rejecting corsets, chopping their hair off, sipping gin, and—yes—borrowing men’s ties. It was more than fashion; it was a revolution against the rigid gender norms and standards of the time. Fast-forward to 2024, and women are channeling that same energy. Why? Because history loves a repeat performance. And just like the 1920s flappers, it’s women who wear the ties today.

Zendaya at Wimbledon wearing a white blazer, white and blue button down pinstripe shirt, and a navy necktie with blonde hair
PHOTO VIA @RALPHLAUREN / INSTAGRAM

THE SCANDALOUS, GROUNDBREAKING, TIE-WEARING WOMEN

This little style rebellion dates back over a century, to the roaring 1910s and 1920s, when fashion was shaking off the dust of modesty and restrictions.

Cue the flappers. These women weren’t just cutting their hair and dancing in jazz clubs (*gasp!*)—they were shredding the rulebook on how a “proper” lady should dress. Gone were the corsets, layers, and long locks. Enter bobs, looser silhouettes, and yes, even pants and ties.

Young woman flapper Madame F wearing a hat and a tank top flapper dress and sheer stockings
PHOTO VIA SHORPY

They were swapping the ultra-feminine for a dash of androgyny, proving that fashion was the perfect canvas for rebellion and a statement. And what better symbol of defiance than the tie—traditionally a man’s domain—now hanging proudly from a woman’s neck as a badge of independence and power.

Three young women flappers wearing men's neckties and trousers in the 1920s
PHOTO VIA: UNKNOWN

While ties have since come and gone in women’s fashion on the streets, the runway, and the screen, their resurgence today feels even more natural and integrated than ever before. And that’s no coincidence.

Four young 1920s women flappers wearing ties and trousers
PHOTO VIA SASKATCHEWAN PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES

THE POLITICS OF TIES AND FASHION

Fashion has always been political, hasn’t it? Back in the 1920s, it wasn’t just about looking chic. It was about women breaking free from the shackles of societal norms, their clothes reflecting the fight for equality, right on the heels of the 19th Amendment. Women were no longer content to sit pretty in the confines of gender roles. Their style? It screamed independence.

Young 1920s flapper woman dancing with a man
PHOTO: BETTMANN

Fast forward to today, and it’s like déjà vu. Societal standards are once again on trial, but this time, the jury’s global—and powered by social media.

the ’20s making a comeback in the 2020s

Between Instagram filters and unrealistic beauty standards, there’s a growing pushback against the idea of perfection. The photoshopped and filtered images are getting old. Enter today’s style rebels, fed up with the fake, rejecting the rising standards and expectations society wants to slap on them. Sound familiar? It should, because just like the flappers of the 1920s, this generation is once again leveraging fashion to challenge the “status quo.”

PHOTO VIA PINTEREST

And oh, how they’re doing it with flair. From androgynous styles and ensembles crafted for the “female-gaze” over the “male-gaze”, this trend isn’t just about crossing gender lines and societal expectations—it’s about busting through them. Women wearing ties? It’s another subtle yet powerful way of saying, “Watch me be who I am and who I want to be.”

Young Gen-z woman wearing a pink long sleeve top and blue adidas gym basketball shorts with kitten heels
PHOTO VIA PINTEREST

A society that’s raised the bar so high, even perfection can’t keep up–people are over it. Tired of chasing impossible standards, people are breaking free from the mold—because why blend in when you can stand out? The more pressure to conform, the louder the rebellion. Women wearing ties—just like in the 1920s—is once again that bold statement of freedom, individuality, and authenticity.

Style Inspiration: How to Wear a Tie

Women wearing ties: Zendaya at Wimbledon,
PHOTOS VIA PINTEREST

Mindful Consumerism & a New Generation of fashion

And of course, we can’t overlook the boost this trend’s also getting from a little something called mindful consumerism. Secondhand shopping: a sacred practice wholeheartedly embraced by the younger generations. Naturally, it’s given way to more creative, diverse styles as people curate a wardrobe with a limited selection as unpredictable as New York’s social scene. 

Young Gen-Z woman in an eclectic thrifted outfit: sheer mesh jersey shirt, long cargo skirt, tall boots and small miu miu glasses
PHOTO VIA PINTEREST

Men shop women’s, women shop men’s—no one’s playing by the “rules” anymore. The oversized blazer trend? Dad shorts? Dad sneakers and baggy jeans? These were all dominoes in the same falling sequence.

New York City streetstyle shot of a young African American Gen-z woman wearing a maxi skirt with a windbreaker and dad sneakers
PHOTO VIA PINTEREST

This necessity for creativity and imagination when working with a limited selection has, in a way, led people back to themselves. When shopping secondhand, one has to rely on their own imagination, interests, likes, and dislikes to curate their own unique wardrobe from a selection that’s as diverse and unique as it is limited.

Young African American Gen-Z woman wearing a sheer camisole tank top with blue basketball shorts, tall socks and mary jane ballet flats
PHOTO: @B4RFBRAIN / INSTAGRAM

Somehow this has released a fun, creative spirit that has made fashion today more about having fun, being creative, and being YOU again. Fashion today isn’t about following rigid trends—it’s about finding what speaks to you, embracing comfort, and making a statement about who you are. And when you’ve got a limited selection to work with, Trendsetters, creativity is your best accessory.

Young Gen-Z woman wearing an eclectic, thrifted outfit: soccer jersey, slip dress, tall socks and flats
PHOTO VIA PINTEREST

So here we are, once again seeing fashion become more personal, more political, and more powerful than ever. The return of women wearing ties? It’s more than just a nod to the past—it’s a statement. A rejection of perfection. An embrace of authenticity. And a reminder that fashion, just like a photo, can be worth a thousand words.

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