The Wall Street Journal (Motto: Whoever Has the Money Makes the Rules), is reporting the return of the skinny tie. What signaled the change? Those fashion mavens Ryan Seacrest and David "Bend it Like" Beckham among others, are "sporting narrower ties in public lately, helping to push the biggest return to skinny ties in three decades."

How skinny? They are dropping from the current 3 3/4 inches at their widest point, to 3 1/2 inches. If that doesn't sound like a huge drop, the Journal says the difference is "more visible than you might expect." Adding, "the change could force men to update not only their ties, but their suits, sport coats and shirts."

And while some celebs like Justin Timberlake are wearing their ties as narrow as 1- or 2-inches, image consultant Glenn Laiken, suggest going no thinner than 3 inches at the widest point for office settings.

What prompted the slim down? According to the WSJ, "[t]he downsizing of the tie follows the slimming down of the suit, which comes as men have grown more comfortable showing off their bodies -- a result of healthier lifestyles including working out and eating better. In recent years, designers have responded with tighter jackets, tailored shirts, flat-front pants and jeans with stretch fabric."

What does this mean in terms of what's already in your closet? The article says, "Skinnier ties look best with narrower shirt collars or even button-downs, meaning many guys will have to put away all the spread-collar shirts they loaded up on last season." So some shopping may be in order to keep up with the emerging style.

To read the entire WSJ article, click here.