Is The End Of The Tie At Hand?

Is the necktie -- for years a wardrobe staple and symbol of white collar status -- on the way out?

Once upon a time, the tie was a standard accessory at the workplace, in church, when dining out or traveling, even at baseball games.

Its beginnings date back to the cravat in 17th century Europe.

The modern tie didn't appear until the mid-1920s.

From there, neckwear styles evolved. They got longer and slightly narrower. By the mid-'50s-to-late-'60s, skinny ties were the fashion.

In the '70s, the trend was super-wide, and by the 1980s, tie colors peaked, with the "power tie" in bold colors and patterns becoming all the rage.

Then, "casual Fridays" entered the workplace, leading some businesses to adopt casual dress codes, making ties optional, and marking their decline.

One recent survey had only six percent of men saying they wear a tie to work.

And just this month, after 60 years, the trade group representing American tie-makers shut down.

What does this all mean for the tie? Could it be the end of the line?

Amanda Brooks, a contributing editor of Men's Vogue magazine, told The Early Show's Chris Wragge Friday she sees ties sticking around -- but with different styles, worn by different types of men -- and in different settings than we're used to.

Ties have always been associated with suits. Now, even the suit culture, including offerings from very classic designers, has taken on a modern look, with a tapered pant, narrow lapel, and fitted shirt, and the tie has been updated to follow. For instance -- skinny ties with matching pocket squares and, rather than lots of color, more texture (plaid, wool, knit, cashmere, and tweed).

Brooks says the contexts in which she sees ties being worn are changing. For example, younger, more creative wearers with casual style are embracing traditional ties, but wearing them with more personal flair, as contributors to head-to-toe looks. Architects, creative designers, and guys in production and tech jobs are now wearing them creatively, with cardigans, plaid shirts, jeans, sneakers, cargo pants, etc.

Brooks hosted a mini-fashion show on the set of the latest tie styles:

The Knit Tie

When fashion statements abate, often they are turned on their head by trendsetting counterculture. Ties have made a comeback on guys who aren't required to wear them, they just like the look of a tie. David Beckham sports an example of this look: a tie with a cardigan, casual plaid shirt and cargo pants or jeans. Often you will find this on creative entrepreneurial types who do not have a dress code (graphic designers, ad executives, technology). This tie-wearing guy mixes high and low fashion (style and price) and has the freedom to express his personal style and incorporate the tie in his own way.

Featured Tie: John Varvatos, gray, $125; available at John Varvatos boutiques nationwide.

The Silk Tie with a Matching Pocket Square

This an aristocratic combo, embraced by a man who works at an auction house or art gallery and has some flair or special attention to appearance. A dark tie with a matching pocket square (not the classic white for practical use) takes a classic look and makes it modern.

Featured Tie: Ralph Lauren Black Label, navy, $135; available at Ralph Lauren stores or www.polo.com

The Wool Tie

Amanda, whose husband is British, calls this the English Countryside look, where a tie is worn for sport, such as hunting. The tie is combined with tweed, textured fabrics, and corduroy. As for everyday, embraced by the man with a sense of tradition. We often associate this look with filmmakers, like Wes Andersen who has a sense of style to begin with. The look adheres to tradition, but is not formal.

Featured Tie: Hickey by Hickey Freeman, plum, $135; available at Hickey Freeman stores

The Skinny Tie

The skinny tie has long been associated with a "cool" image. Today, the skinny tie is worn by bankers and other corporate types who must dress with tradition but have updated the classic look in a cool fashion: stripes on the tie, a tapered pant, narrow lapel and fitted shirt. Suit makers like Brooks Brothers and Hickey Freeman have given such classic looks a fresh look with the modern, slim silhouette including the tie.

Featured Tie: Alexander Olch, white with navy stripes, $140; available at Bergdorf Goodman

Brook says Alexander Olch is booming right now, and indicative of a whole new direction for ties.

The Solid Black Tie

The uniform of black tie, white shirt, jeans and Converse sneakers is a popular rocker look that was launched by the widely successful designer John Varvatos. A younger generation has embraced this for their own version of dressing up for nights out.

Featured Tie: Brooks Brothers Black Fleece, black silk, $112; available at www.brooksbrothers.com

The Bow Tie

We have Professor Indiana Jones to thank for this intellectual look. A bow tie is no longer your old-fashioned grandfather's look. Paired with a pullover sweater vest and a suede belt, it is a smart look that might pass one off as a novelist, architect or archeologist.

Featured Tie: Alexander Olch, gray and light blue, $105; available at Opening Ceremony in New York and LA, www.openingceremony.com