The Ties Of Sisterhood

By Benjamin Nugent

Men need ties because everything else they get to wear is as exciting as cream cheese. But this year famous women are wearing ties because they're "strong, distinctive and sexy," in the words of one fashion marketer--and because other famous women are wearing them. The accessory has come a long way from Diane Keaton's tomboy outfit in Woody Allen's 1977 film, Annie Hall. Young pop singers from Michelle Branch to Alicia Keys have adopted an '80s new-wave look that juxtaposes ties with dark punk garb or ultra-casual white tank tops. And fashion designers like Alexander McQueen have been slipping them on models since last summer. Now if they could just learn how to tie a proper Windsor knot. --By Benjamin Nugent