Dan's Papers - September 14, 2007

Blue blazer wearing preppies, skinny jean rocking emo kids and white collar corporate execs take note; it's unofficially autumn which means it's time to throw the flip flops in the back of the closet and get ready to get back to work, whether it be at the University library, local record store or Wall Street. And as the endless summer sun gives way to Technicolor trees, it's only natural for fashion to do the same, as linens and khaki shorts get retired and wool sweaters and tweed jackets make their way out of chests and closets across the Northeast.

Whether you are heading back to school, going out on tour or suiting up for another day at the office, there is an endless array of neckwear available to spice up your wardrobe.

A look perfected by the Beatles and the Kinks and revitalized by Franz Ferdinand and other European art punks is the sleek, stylish suited rock star. Chic and minimal in design, art kids across the globe have embraced the look since the rise of proto-punk and dance rock in 2003 and now designers have taken a cue from the coolest of the cool. That's right, skinny ties are in this fall. Having been embraced by the punk community for years as an informal interpretation of formal wear, the skinny tie has made a resurgence with kids who dye their hair black and wear jeans so tight they risk cutting off their circulation (Oh, how we suffer for fashion). While the look is certainly not for the beer belly crew, if you are nineteen, weigh a hundred and nothing and are learning how to play guitar, you may want to invest in a skinny tie. A true proto-punk would pick up his or her skinny tie at a dead-end thrift store, but if you're looking for something that doesn't need to be washed after purchase, check out British designer KJ Beckett's line of skinny silk ties.

Ok, so you weren't haunting the Lower East Side in 1978, nor have you ever been to CBGB's and you aren't planning on wearing black eyeliner any time soon. It's ok, the last thing anyone needs to see is a 40-year-old father of two trying to squeeze into a pair of women's size zero jeans and start a screamo band. Truth is, while neckwear has been adopted by the youth, it's not exactly meant for them. True neckwear is for men with jobs and nice cars and responsibilities. For these serious men there is only one way to go, the bowtie. For years the bowtie has been the favorite for men with literary desires and economic minds, however a young face can certainly transform the formal look into something fresh, even hip. Think a young Indiana Jones and it doesn't get much cooler than Indiana Jones. If you're afraid a bowtie may make you look like you've got the proverbial stick up your butt, check out Vineyard Vine's vibrant designs, which include everything from lobsters and whales to bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches and reindeer. Just think, you could be the guy at happy hour wearing the breakfast sandwich bowtie. Now that's what I call badass.

While hip updated looks may sound like a good idea on paper, there is really nothing more timeless than a classic stripped power tie and the only place to get one, in my opinion, Brooks Brothers, the purveyor of classic American style. Every season Brooks Brothers unveils a series fresh designs based on classic themes. While the look is far from original, the modern versions of this classic are a gem that every man should have in his wardrobe. There are so many different color options and patterns that you're bound to find one that fits your fancy. Plus, if you're a little too thick for a skinny tie, stripes on a power tie will make it appear like you've been on a diet, which is never a bad thing.

If all this talk of power ties and bow ties making you yawn, I feel your pain. With boredom out and for those looking for a truly unique, unconventional look to bring to the East End, you may want to look west to the land of ranchers, cowboys and outlaws. While bandanas are a fashionable and versatile piece of neckwear, the Bolo tie, also known as the cowboy tie, has recently made an unexpected comeback and one of its most fashionable ambassadors has been Carlos D, the bass player for NYC fashionista's Interpol.

Old school, new school, no school, whatever your style is, there is sure to be something for you to tie around your neck this fall.