8 Ways to Style a Tie Beyond the Traditional Power Suit

There's no denying it: the '80s are back in fashion. And that can only mean one thing—the power suit is the year's defining outfit. Inspired by the decade's corporate ostentatiousness, fashion brands have taken to the power suit as 2025's uniform, showing up on runways and street style scenes worldwide. With it, the necktie has also made a comeback, buttoning up even the most casual of outfits.

Back in the '80s and '90s, fashion icons like Princess Diana and Julia Roberts incorporated the necktie into their wardrobes with ease. The late Princess of Wales, for example, wore it with anything from a pantsuit to a long coat and a skirt suit, while Roberts made the suit-and-tie red-carpet-ready at the Golden Globes in 1990. In 2025, celebs are showing even more affinity with the suit and tie, with names like Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez endorsing the trend. The street style scenes throughout Fashion Month also put the tie center stage, showing that the spring/summer 2025 collections from designers like Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney are having a moment in the suit-and-tie zeitgeist.

Still, no matter how much it's trending, the tie is always a sartorial staple and can actually be worn beyond the suit and tie. Ahead, are 8 outfit ideas to incorporate a tie into your wardrobe beyond the office.

Barn Life

The barn jacket has taken fashion by storm over the past year. And while the utilitarian jacket style is far from the traditional outerwear befitting a tie, that's exactly why they work so well together. The contrasting styles provide a unique take on power suiting that knows how to get dirty.

Y2K Energy

A pinstripe pant and tie combo is not new, of course. But what's so 2025 is adding a flirty mini skirt to this uniform. The skirt-over-pants trend is still here and helps break up the suiting-forward look with a more feminine piece.

Wild Side

Ties are often reserved for the more serious ventures in life. But there's no look that a little leopard print can't spice up. The contrast between the black tie and leopard print skirt is the right combo to bring the tie into 2025. Add a leather jacket for an extra bit of edge.

Offbeat Style

A ruffled skirt, sneaker-inspired heels, and a rose-embellished blazer enter a room, what happens? Perfection, that's what happens. Yet an extra accessory needs to be added to the mix, and a tie can do that job by buttoning up an otherwise zany outfit.

Red Red Wine

The leather peplum jacket is one of 2025's top outerwear styles, with its flirty and dramatic silhouette. It makes for an ideal companion to a serious and unassuming tie, while the head-to-toe red look adds just the right amount of spice.

Cowboy Carter

If a traditional tie isn't your beat, you're in luck. The Western fashion moment is the perfect time to try a bolo tie instead. Pair it with pleated trousers and a printed blazer for a boardroom-goes-west look.

Backslider

Celine Dion's backward suit will forever be a fashion reference. And this look is no exception. While Dion went sans tie, this new version puts the traditional tie in another light, making it a backside accessory rather than a main event.

Pantless Behavior

The traditional suit and tie is a classic for a reason. But if the idea is to break out of the corporate uniform, a double-breasted blazer mini dress is the right way to do that. For maximum boardroom energy, just add a tie.

Read the original article on InStyle