‘It says you are a Harry Styles fan’: how ties became a secret language for concert-goers

Getting his flowers … Harry Styles opens his Together, Together tour in Amsterdam wearing a floral tie. Photograph: Anthony Pham/Getty Images for HS

When Harry Styles kicked off his Together, Together tour in Amsterdam in May, he bounded on to the stage in navy pleated trousers and a blue shirt, topped off with a colourful floral printed tie from Celine.

Four days later, Styles paused mid-set at the same stadium to take in the crowd. “There’s a lot of ties in the audience tonight. I see you queens, I see you,” he said.