I love the fact that Google has served a number of ads for selling ties to this thread - just proves that their vaunted advertising technology is somewhat flawed.

I quite like ties, but then I am a) a fashion victim/dandy, depending on mood and b) sadly conservative with a small c.

If you wear a tie as a security officer or law enforcment, it is a great way to get the wind choked out of you. You can get the clip ons and the velcro rip aways, but it still gives some idiot the idea that there is a leash they can grab onto. I don't like giving the other guy the idea that they can grab onto anything without getting the stuffings kicked out of him.

Women had the sense to burn their bras. I just wish men had the same sense.

Respects,
Steve
Flyover Country, US

The problem woth a modern necktie is that it's impractical, because it has those long trailing ends to catch in machinery, and it depends on the collar being closed just right.

A cravat does make a little more sense.

Charlie, two suggestions:

1) (courtesy of Pete McCutchen, a long-time rec.arts.sf.frequent poster, who is a lawyer, and so spends all day in a suit and tie) Buy dress shirts based on
a comfortable collar size. Then have the body cut down. If it's just taking in the chest and waist, that costs me $15 US per shirt. An added expense, but it will result in a couple of comfortable dress shirts. I read in a magazine somewhere that the test is to stand with one shoulder to a mirror, then turn only your head, and look into the mirror. If your tie knot moved with your head, your collar is two tight.


2) Buy leather walking shoes, the type with soft soles. I wear SAS shoes (from the San Antonio Shoe company). They are leather, polish up well, and are very comfortable. They're also expensive ($125 US). I have a local cobbler install heel taps on the outside corners of the heels, which are the first to wear down for me. That's $5 US per pair, done every other month. The same cobbler will resole the shoes, even though they are not technically resolable (he just cuts into the old sole, and glues on a new bottom layer). If you wanted even better non-slip soles, find a cobbler who will glue on a layer with (small, not conspicuous) treads.

No, modern neckties are descendents of the cravat which originated from colorful scarves worn around the necks of Croatian mercenaries in (I think) 17th century France.

I thoughts that ties' origins were in a type of napkin worn at meals so that the wearer wouldn't spill soup on his expensive frock coat. Which kind of backs up my opinion that those who choose to wear them are drooling morons who can't be trusted with soup, let alone with anything important.

If I had to put together a list of Crimes By Fashion (as opposed to Crimes Of Fashion), the necktie would be in #1 place by a long way -- but a lot of other items of male formal attire would be there too. Dress shoes, for example, based on a style that seems to have become frozen around 1900 and makes no concession towards such necessities as being able to walk across a slippery pavement, never mind comfort.

Women's clothing probably has more scope for creative discomfort, but is also more varied. So I'll leave that subject to someone else.

Not only can I not stand wearing ties, but I really can't stand those posey tossers who wander around with their tie draped over their shoulders all the time...

Well, if the Odin reference is true then ties are somewhat redeemed in my eyes. Of course they're still not in the upper echelon of mankind's inventions, but the above puts 'em one step ahead of bowties. I mean seriously, what's the deal with those things?

Didn't the necktie originate as part of the uniform of an Odin cult (the wearer, in fastening an ornamental noose around their neck, symbolically offering themself to the Norse hangman god)?

If you need a flamethrower carrier in this revolution, I'm right here.

(My flamethrower will of course burn discarded ties.)

They're a very good item of Croatian national dress, but I'm not Croatian and I don't see why I should wear one. It's in the dress code at work, I've disobeyed it since 1999, and there have been no repercussions. (I guess making yourself irreplaceable has its upside.)

Hell, Yeah! Burn the Damn Ties! BURN THEM! Finally, someone who agrees with me about ties!

I'm with you, Charlie. We can start the Revolution tomorrow!

Lord, I hate ties. I hates them.

My present security post does allow me the option of a turtleneck sweater during the winter. I don't have to wear a tie during the summer (and thank God for that).

Respects,
S. F. Murphy
Flyover Country, U.S.

Hence one of the reasons why I am quite comfortable staying in academia right now...