The necktie has meandered in and out of style since the advent of modern menswear. But actor Robert Pattinson has never really vibed with one, and even so, the Mickey 17 star is still optimizing the notion of the truly casual smart-casual.
At the National Board of Review Gala in New York City earlier this week, Pattinson was invited up on stage to make a speech. And while many of the other special guests like John Lithgow and Lin-Manuel Miranda were all suited and booted, our bold leader of the sans-tie movement stood in front of the microphone with just-messy-enough hair and nothing but a crisp white collar around the neck.
Fashion has always been a big deal for the British actor. This guy has been the face of Dior since 2012. But ever since he became pals with creative director Kim Jones, he’s become the master of low-effort, high-yield smart-casual fits. Just look at what he wore to the LVMH Prize back in September, or at Paris Fashion Week last summer. There were double-breasted jackets and workwear-coded blazers—but all sans tie.
And he’s not alone. At the Golden Globes over the weekend, Eddie Redmayne went without a necktie while and Timothée Chalamet turned his into a scarf. And though the tie-free movement has been gaining traction of late, there’s still a lot of guys (and gals) that still subscribe to all the bells and whistles: Paul Mescal, Ayo Edebiri, and Charles Melton are but three power players to tie up. And, with full tailoring brands like Drake’s and Husbands cutting through 2024 (and ’25), expect this menswear civil war to rumble on.
But Robert Pattinson has cut ties, and picked a side. Time to get off the fence, son.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
