Tie or no Tie

[bakerbarber]

Is the tie dead?

Does any job still require a tie?

I wear a tie three or four days a week because my boss does. He says we need to look professional when salesmen come in and see us. I've yet to meet a salesman wearing one on a visit. Even at serious meetings or negotiations.

Even at professional dinners, special "formal" events I see fewer and fewer ties.

Are we finally done wasting time and money on a non-functional adornment?

I hate ties. I'm 6'4" and if I want mine to look right (touching my belt) I have to leave the back part so short that I need to tape it to the backside of the front part to keep it from sticking off to the side. "Tall" ties cost a fortune. Zipper ties are sweet, but again the "tall" ones cost too much.

I say good riddance, no more ties for me.

[holnrew]

I used to have to dress up for religious meetings (I used to be a Jehovah's Witness) and loved wearing a suit and tie, but I'm the same height as you and had the same problem. I haven't worn a tie for years though, and can't say I really miss it.

I think the true death knell of the tie will be when politicians no longer wear them on public duty.

[bearcat87]

They are quite useless. I don't think someone looks less professional if they are in a suit and no tie. It's kind of the new classic look.

[KarlvB]

Re: Tie or no Tie

Is the tie dead?

Does any job still require a tie?

I wear a tie three or four days a week because my boss does. He says we need to look professional when salesmen come in and see us. I've yet to meet a salesman wearing one on a visit. Even at serious meetings or negotiations.

Even at professional dinners, special "formal" events I see fewer and fewer ties.

Are we finally done wasting time and money on a non-functional adornment?

I hate ties. I'm 6'4" and if I want mine to look right (touching my belt) I have to leave the back part so short that I need to tape it to the backside of the front part to keep it from sticking off to the side. "Tall" ties cost a fortune. Zipper ties are sweet, but again the "tall" ones cost too much.

I say good riddance, no more ties for me.

Things are a bit different in London. I work in finance in Mayfair (the hedge fund/private banking district of London) and I have to wear a tie all the time. On days I don't have client meetings a suit with no tie is acceptable in the office, but that is rare.

Personally, I like wearing suits and ties and I hope they never ever go away. But then again I love the old school charm of Savile Row, shirts with double cuffs and cufflinks, a good pair of hand made leather shoes etc.

Formal events for me would mean black tie, although there are more places now that allow suits and ties as they've realised carting your black tie around just to go for a dinner is just a bit silly...

I find it strange that you have trouble finding ties that are long enough. How long is the average tie in the US? In the UK I think it is 60-62 inches (tail to tip). The reason I ask is that I am 6'4" as well and I have no problem with finding a tie that will touch my belt.

[mercvrivs]

I too am 6'4'' and have no problem with ties. I usually use a double Winchester knot.

I also like ties. By no means do I wear them all the time, but I think that if you're going formal, you might as well enjoy it and make the most of it: a nice (not tacky) tie, a quality shirt, a vest, suit coat with matching trousers, a good belt or suspenders, and well-polished shoes. I personally usually carry a pocketwatch and a hat; for very formal occasions a tophat and gloves (and perhaps a nice cane) are excellent --although at job interviews this usually is seen as strange rather than proper work attire, so I would urge you to dress for the occasion.

Vests are great because they usually have pockets that are perfect for a tin of snus, and they disguise wrinkles in your shirt and keep your tie in place.

For some a handkerchief is also appropriate, as long as they know how to fold one well.

I usually dress up once a week for formal events that I attend. It's a nice ritual that I think reaffirms a unique sort of respectable masculinity.

[bakerbarber]

I still wear ties to any event I wear a suit. I still see every man at a weekly formal event wearing a tie when I can attend.

It seems that at work, at restaurants, and elsewhere like weddings or other places I would normally expect to see formal attire I see less ties.

I find it strange that you have trouble finding ties that are long enough. How long is the average tie in the US?

Good question. It seems that it varies quite a bit. I can get away with a windsor with some of my ties, others even a prat knot leaves nothing to spare. I don't go out of my way to buy the cheapest tie I can find, but I'm not exactly eager to drop the $60 plus a designer tie goes for in a department store. Sure the less expensive ones are usually the shorter ones I own. I own only a couple wool square bottom ties which are not bad. The silk ties seem to be the worst for length.

Being big a small knot looks goofy on me. Going with a bigger knot leaves no room for error. Seems a bit pointless at times.

All fashion, I think, is a trend that ebbs and flows with time. I see no one wear a proper hat, seldom suspenders or a bow tie.

The other trend that steers me toward dropping the tie all together for work is shirts. Very few guys wear a plain white shirt. I see colors, patterns, strange material. Not exactly easy to match a tie to a paisley shirt.

[KarlvB]

It seems that at work, at restaurants, and elsewhere like weddings or other places I would normally expect to see formal attire I see less ties.

Yes, I've noticed that as well but I'd rather be overdressed at any occasion than underdressed. I do think though that the City is particular formal and probably the reason why Savile Row and Jermyn Street still thrive.

Good question. It seems that it varies quite a bit. I can get away with a windsor with some of my ties, others even a prat knot leaves nothing to spare. I don't go out of my way to buy the cheapest tie I can find, but I'm not exactly eager to drop the $60 plus a designer tie goes for in a department store. Sure the less expensive ones are usually the shorter ones I own. I own only a couple wool square bottom ties which are not bad. The silk ties seem to be the worst for length.

Being big a small knot looks goofy on me. Going with a bigger knot leaves no room for error. Seems a bit pointless at times.

All fashion, I think, is a trend that ebbs and flows with time. I see no one wear a proper hat, seldom suspenders or a bow tie.

The other trend that steers me toward dropping the tie all together for work is shirts. Very few guys wear a plain white shirt. I see colors, patterns, strange material. Not exactly easy to match a tie to a paisley shirt.

Ties are unfortunately expensive, but I tend to shop for shirts and ties at the same time so I try and match a tie to three shirts (for example). I also try and imagine how it would work with my suits (navy herringbone, navy pinstripe, charcoal pinstripe/herringbone) so that I have a large number of possible combinations. I guess having conservative tastes in shirts and ties make it easier for me.

White shirts are very popular here and personally I own three. They are my fallback shirts and nothing looks quite as good as a navy suit with a white shirt and burgundy tie IMO.

Have you tried using a half-Windsor?

I don't know if they ship to the US but I would recommend these firms for shirts and ties.

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/

http://www.thomaspink.com/pws/Home.ice

http://www.etonshirts.co.uk/

[spirit72]

The tie is definitely on the way out, IMO.

I can't stand them. They're uncomfortable to wear, in my experience, and just a pain in the arse to deal with generally.

The *only* time I wear one anymore is to a job interview. Otherwise, I'll wear a sportcoat over a silk dress shirt or a turtleneck, or one of a couple of silk-looking tees that I have and call it my "Tony Soprano Outfit". 8)

[desirexe]

From a woman's perspective; I hope ties/suits never go out of style. IMHO, suits and ties make men look successful, sophisticated and sexy. *I'm speaking of 'regular' ties, I hope bowties go bye-bye*