I’ve recently embraced a simple wardrobe hack that’s unlocked a new level of work-life balance and made me feel more switched on in the office. I look more sophisticated too. You might even say I’m turning heads; after all, it’s led to a few compliments (and plenty of odd looks).

I’m talking, of course, about the forgotten – but apparently trendy again – necktie. It’s not lost on me how absurd it is that I have become a tie evangelist. I, of all people, am the last person to dish out fashion advice.

When I was a cadet journalist (not at this masthead), an editor threatened an HR complaint against me because of how I dressed. Apparently, my T-shirt and baseball cap at press conferences were giving our brand a bad name.

What kind of tie do you like? Elias Visontay holding some of his collection.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

When sent to cover a red carpet event years ago, I had to photograph celebrities and frantically text friends to ask what fabric they were wearing. I didn’t even know the difference between a dress and a gown. If only they had sartorial Shazam.

Recently, a friend described me as dressing “like a Soviet plumber”, which jolted me to reflect on my style choices.

But while the tie, relic of a bygone office culture, appears to be back in vogue – as resurgent at Paris fashion week this year as it is

© The Sydney Morning Herald