Gareth Southgate’s ‘knitted tie is the new waistcoat!’

After England’s 4-0 drubbing of the Ukraine last night, the England squad’s winning streak continues – and apparently it’s all down to Gareth Southgate‘s woolly tie. 

Fans have dubbed the knitted polka dot navy blue tie the manager, 50, has been spotted wearing on the touchline ‘the new waistcoat’ – referencing Southgate’s attire at the 2018 World Cup which saw the team do well and sales of the smart garment soar.  

They’ve also pointed out that the only time England didn’t get on the score sheet during a Euros 2020 game so far – when the team drew 0-0 with Scotland last month – Southgate chose not to wear the tie. 

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England manager has been wearing a knitted navy blue polka dot tie for most of national team’s games during the Euros – and fans have dubbed it ‘lucky’

Some have suggested the item could be the new ‘waistcoat’ – sales rocketed by 35 per cent at M&S after Southgate wore one for the World Cup in 2018

On Twitter,  @rugbytomc summed up the speculation, saying: ‘Can we all just stop pretending Southgate knows what he’s doing and admit it’s down to his lucky tie (which he didn’t wear v Scotland)’   

@timjrich added:  @GaryLineker noticed Gareth Southgate has his lucky tie on again, not worn during the Scotland game.’   

@michaelhogan added: ‘Southgate’s knitted polka dot tie is the new waistcoat #ENGUKR’

Others simply admired Southgate’s style.  @H3Oplus wrote: ‘Love Southgate’s tie’.

Although it’s unclear where exactly Southgate’s tie is from – plenty of designer and high street stores have similar versions including Bronci & Bo, Huntsman Savile Row, J. Crew, John Henric and OTTA.     

The Huntsman Savile Row, which looks remarkably similar to the one worn by the England manager, retails at £140.  

A winning tie! Percival, for which Southgate, 50, is a brand ambassador makes the £680 suit he teamed the knitted accessory with

Bye-bye waistcoat…the navy garment sparked a sales boom in 2018 at the World Cup but has been hung back up in the England manager’s wardrobe. His new look is a light grey suit teamed with a £109 Pablo Cuban Knit polo shirt in navy from Percival, for which Southgate, 50, is a brand ambassador

Touchline chic: Going for sartorial glory once again: Sales of waistcoats at M&S rocketed by 35 per cent after the World Cup in 2018 but Southgate told the Today programme on Radio 4 in May that the ‘lucky’ waistcoat wouldn’t make a re-appearance at the Euros

For the friendlies, Southgate donned a more casual look but some preferred his smarter style, with one dubbing the expensive polo shirt a ‘pyjama’ top

In 2018, Southgate’s ‘lucky’ navy waistcoat sparked a sartorial storm but ahead of the Euros he said he was putting the item back in his wardrobe.  

He told BBC Radio 4 Today’s programme last month: ‘It was a lovely moment to have that connection with the public. I haven’t worn a waistcoat on its own since… I don’t think I’ll be wearing a waistcoat this summer.’  

For the friendlies ahead of the tournament, Southgate opted for a more casual lightweight grey suit teamed with a comfy-looking fine-knit navy polo shirt.     

While football and fashion aren’t often mentioned in the same sentence, high street stores will certainly consider upping their stock of knitted ties following the sales boom the England manager sparked three years ago.

The semi-final against Croatia that year became known as ‘waistcoat Wednesday’, with fans watching the match at home donning their own waistcoats to echo Gareth’s look.