The tie must be defended at all costs

The Telegraph ^ | 6/6/2008 | Gerald Warner

[bruinbirdman]

News that the most iconic item of male dress, the necktie, is in danger of falling out of fashion in America is a grim intimation of the decline of yet another civilisation. The tie is a weathervane of the health of a society; if you doubt that – look at Iran. The tie is the emblem of western civilisation, said to be descended from the focalia worn by Roman orators to protect their vocal chords.

“A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life,” declared Oscar Wilde. He was right and the rules of neckwear are rigid. Vulgar innovators may have experimented with a variety of expanding and contracting versions, from kipper to boot-lace, but the classic width remains three and a quarter inches at base, the patterns restricted to small white polka dots on a blue or wine background, Paisley whorls, lozenge shapes, or self-coloured. Silk is the only approved fabric.

David Cameron should hold fast to his neckwear

Although the 32 varieties of knot prevailing in the 19th century have been reduced to three basics, only one is acceptable to the purist. Britain’s imperial decline can be traced to the invention of the Windsor Knot by the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII. This modish outrage clearly signalled his unsuitability to reign: Mrs Simpson had nothing to do with the case – this knot signalled to all right-thinking chaps that the fellow had to go.

The Half-Windsor, an anaemic version of this aberration, is similarly to be abominated. The only unchallengeably respectable tie knot is the classic Four-in-Hand, which heightens the knot to elegant proportions and speaks of good taste. The sporadic abandonment of the tie by “Dave” Cameron and his populist cohorts is to be deplored. Did Dizzy wander around in an open-necked shirt? Churchill sported a bow-tie, but as it was teamed with a wing-collar, descendant of the Brummell starched cravat, it was perfectly acceptable. The tie is to be defended at all costs.

[Sherman Logan]

The tie is the emblem of western civilisation, said to be descended from the focalia worn by Roman orators to protect their vocal chords.

Nonsense and hooey.

The modern necktie is descended from the neckscarves worn by Croatian mercenaries during the 30 Years War, 1630s. Hence the original name, cravat.

[Recon Dad]

The tie is the emblem of western civilisation,

Hate’em,
Hate’em,
Hate’em!!

[hunter112]

The article sounds a little, well, foppish. But then, didn’t the author quote Oscar Wilde???

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

The tie is a weathervane of the health of a society; if you doubt that – look at Iran

Hard to argue with that.

[AntiKev]

Actually Cravat is the anglicization of the German word Krawatte (cra-vah-teh).

[Sherman Logan]

Cravat probably got to English via German and French. I’m not sure why that invalidates the original derivation from Croat.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I’ve had to wear ties before. Professional appearance and all that nonsense.

Nasty things ties are, they give anyone who wants to do you harm a ready handle with which to throttle you.

The velcro breakaway tie is the exception, it’s the only kind I wear these days and very rarely at that.

[bruinbirdman]

For-in-Hand Knot

Windsor Knot

yitbos

[familyop]

I wore ties on occasions and for some jobs through most of my life. Although not commanded against wearing ties (being a Gentile), I avoid them now while continuing to try to be neat for work in other ways (slacks, button-down shirts, at least mid-length sleeves, etc.).

[dayglored]

I rather like ties. Only wear one every once in a long while, but it's always to "say" something, rather like a hat says something about who I am and how I feel.

Outlandish pattern, sometimes; techie ASCII pattern, sometimes; never plain.

My favorite is a hand-painted silk one. Abstract, vaguely floral pattern, goes well with a gaudy Hawaiian shirt (don't ask).

I never wear a business suit, so the tie is always a "topper" to a sport shirt, not hidden away behind a jacket.

I rarely wear one, but I'd hate to lose the opportunity or ability. It's a part of the repertoire.

[Phantom Lord]

The tie sucks.

[thundrey]

I can’t really think of any circumstances were it could not be countered, or if it couldn’t, it wouldn’t matter, because the person in question is going to kill you any way because he is too good for you.
Frankly, I wish the open collar was back in fasion. And hats. I sorely wish hats were back in fashion, other than baseball caps, which you only really wear if you’re either a teenager, an oaf, or a pevert going into a sex shop and trying to look inconspicious....

[Billthedrill]

Bah. Only a drunk at a racetrack depends on the four-in-hand as a fashion statement. At least the Windsor has a certain symmetry to it. But affixing odd scraps of cloth around one's neck is only offering something to get grabbed in a bar fight. One's cravat is a sign of one's breeding.

One's favorite caliber on a bolo tie simply screams class. IMHO.

[Phantom Lord]

Or lacking in hair and need to protect your head from the sun while doing yard work, golfing, at the park with the kids, etc...

[Phantom Lord]

Bolo screams 12 pack of Bud and an Earnest movie.

[heartwood]

I must say, dh looks very sharp in a tie, and has recently been given several to wear on days when he sees clients, along with a request NEVER to wear the rugby shirt my mother gave him to work, as he resembles a giant bumblebee in it.

I’m wondering if there is any point to buying a $300 tie, as opposed to a $20 tie (or one marked down to that.) Do they hang better? Do they advertise status, with men checking them out the women check out each other’s shoes?

Do they boast about their bargains? (”Hermes, and it was 60% off at Barneys!”)

Some men look absolutely strangled in ties, and they still have to wear them sometimes, poor things.

[Psycho_Bunny]

I decided some time ago, that because I don't have to look at them I would buy ties calculated to elicited anger and annoyance in those around me. Subsequently, a requirement of any tie I purchase is that it have at least one color found on iridescent colored, deadly animals. Like, coral snake red or poisonous frog blue.

It's a surprisingly effective strategy.

[Wonder Warthog]

"The modern necktie is descended from the neckscarves worn by Croatian mercenaries during the 30 Years War, 1630s."

Nah. The modern necktie was invented by early feminists, to get revenge on the guys who invented the corset.

[yldstrk]

I always thought it was a symbol of a man’s ......you know..but the practical aspect of it is you can own only one lousy suit and thirty five ties, right, and go for a whole month and a week with a different look each day. Just like I would wear a different pin or scarf......