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Oct 27, 2024

The best-dressed guys don’t wear ties at Venice Film Festival | British GQ

Maybe there's a group chat for the actors in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. And maybe in that group chat, there was a message to the effect of ‘Hey guys, anyone else feeling that ties are kind of out right

Maybe there's a group chat for the actors in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. And maybe in that group chat, there was a message to the effect of ‘Hey guys, anyone else feeling that ties are kind of out right now?’

Group chat memo or no, Venice's Black Tie dress code be damned. All the big guys on the red carpet at the premiere had the same idea: suits can still look mega without the neckwear.

Justin Theroux kicked things off in a slick Zegna suit. A white blazer worn over black trousers, with a sparkling bird brooch from the Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany ‘Bird on a Rock’ collection, it was a classic tuxedo in all ways but one: where a bowtie would be, the high collar of Theroux’s shirt was buttoned up and folded over, an almost clerical styling move.

Next, newcomer Arthur Conti — who owns “a lot of jumpers” — swapped out the shirt and tie combo completely for a cream sweater underneath his Celine suit. Accessories for his debut red carpet included a sweet little Cartier Tank Américaine and some sunglasses, but, again, no tie.

Even non-acting attendees were on the no-tie train. Italian dancer Roberto Bolle attended in a cropped bolero-style blazer over an open shirt, while influencer Gian Maria Sainato wore a lilac double-breasted suit with a white shirt, open at the collar. The overall effect of the premiere then was decidedly breezy around the jugular notch.

Off the main red carpets, off-duty style was equally as tie-less. Arriving in Venice to the customary airport paparazzi, Beetlejuice director Tim Burton’s all-navy suit came with a fedora, and an open shirt. Theroux, in a photocall, flipped up the lapels of his suit jacket, but let his plain black T-shirt dial everything down.

All lined up, you can see why forgoing one of the key components of a suit on such a big formal occasion is having such a moment — the calibre of suits, from Zegna to Celine, are well-fitted and well-made enough that they project a bit of polish without all the usual add-ons. Plus, as red carpets and celebrity events at large become more casual, the need to adhere to strict fashion tradition melts a little, leaving behind the only thing that really matters: easy-win style, with or without a tie.