# House of Lords ditches the tie requirement

> Britain's upper chamber drops mandatory neckwear, sparking debate about formality, fashion and what it means to dress for power.
- Title: House of Lords ditches the tie requirement · the Guardian
- Summary: Britain's upper chamber drops mandatory neckwear, sparking debate about formality, fashion and what it means to dress for power. The House of Lords now…
- Keywords: house of lords, dress code change, ties, business attire, savile row, fashion, workplace culture, peter york, james sleater, post-covid trends, news, world
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/18/is-the-tie-dead-fashion-connoisseurs-house-of-lords-relaxes-rules
- Published: 2026-09-18T05:00:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: house of lords, dress code change, ties, business attire, savile row, fashion, workplace culture, peter york, james sleater, post-covid trends, news, world
## Lords drop the tie requirement
The House of Lords has ended its mandatory tie rule for men, replacing it with a looser 'business attire' standard. The change reflects shifting workplace norms across Britain.
## Traditionalists fear a slovenly future
Style commentator Peter York warns the relaxed dress code will 'end in tears', arguing that without ties, Lords will look incomplete and may resort to even more casual wear like plimsolls.

> It looks as if you're not completely dressed, or you've forgotten something.
## Ties are 'little works of art'
Peter York, who owns hundreds of ties, calls them 'little works of art' and argues that wearing formal clothes without a tie looks unfinished and careless.

> They are little works of art
## Savile Row is split on the change
Fashion photographer Guy Hills supports the relaxed code, saying Lords should keep up with trends. He notes ties are just having 'a down moment' and could make a comeback.

> I don't think ties are completely dead, they're just having a down moment
## Younger generation embraces ties again
Twenty-five-year-old Chaand Singh wears vintage ties from the 1980s and says they elevate his look. Young people are rediscovering ties as sustainable, characterful pieces.

> Dressing up and adding a tie elevates the look
## Tailors report rising neckwear sales
James Sleater of Norton & Sons says his shop is selling more neckwear this year than previously. When ties become optional, people choose them for pleasure rather than obligation.

> If you're no longer forced to do something, it almost becomes a pleasure to it
## Post-Covid shift away from office wear
Sleater notes that working from home has caused a 'huge decline in neckwear' and office dress codes. The Lords change reflects broader workplace trends toward casual attire.
## Ties still matter for key moments
While ties are no longer office staples, they remain important for special occasions and first impressions. Tailors see customers choosing more textured, characterful neckwear over plain silks.
## Key takeaway

The House of Lords now allows business attire instead of requiring ties, reflecting broader workplace shifts toward casual dress codes since the pandemic.