Choice of tie?

[GlassMan]

Personally I'm rather fond of regimental stripped bow ties, and yes I hand tie them myself. I've thought of getting a clan bow tie but all the ones I've seen are of the "clasp" variety and I refuse to wear a tie that I didn't get a chance to tie myself.

But then a standard necktie gives you more real estate to have fun with. I'm rather fond of ties that have something different about them. For example, since I like tobacco pipes I have several adorned with that theme. I also have one with images of violins since I'm a violin player as well.

Now I just need to find some with stained glass.

[Rick]

Some tartans are available in silk. While I have not made a tartan bow tie yet, I have made bow ties from other fabrics. It is quite easy to do. Simply use an existing bow tie that is set to the proper length as the pattern. The tie is made in two sections and joined at the point that is at the back of the neck. Thus each section needs to be about 0.25 in. longer than when the two are joined so that the seem can be made. I add some extra material all around and then sew the two sections from the inside-out. I then use pinking shears to cut the excess fabric close to the stitches. The tie is then turned right side out and the sections hand stitched together. For the silks, depending on the weight, it will most likely be necessary to stiffen the tie with interfacing. I do not have much experience here, as I use stiffer fabrics. For wool, I would not bother with the interfacing. The thing to remember when making ties is that the fabric is almost always cut on the bias.

As for stained glass. I purchased a bow tie in Cambridge that looks like a window. Thus, just keep looking.

Rick

[Mike n NC]

hmmmm, bow ties. For some reason the mention of them always brings to mind the goofy professor type, the ones with no life, no social skills. I did wear one as a lad, before I was judged old enough for a tie.
Today I pretty much avoid them unless the specified code of dress for a functions specifies "formal" and even then I frequently use a "puff tie". With a tailored kilt I find, much like when I wore tailored suits, the three piece outfit combined with the right shirt and tie works quite well.

Mike

[David Thornton]

This is bad, very bad indeed. I have a closet full of silk ties. Red, yellow & blue, all with small detail. Wife says they look great to her.
But now I'll have to scour around and find some wool ties.
By the way, how do you tie a wool necktie without having a rather large knot?
I'll wear a bow with the black argyle at dress events, but I don't think I could adopt them for regular use.
David

[Mike n NC]

This is bad, very bad indeed. I have a closet full of silk ties. Red, yellow & blue, all with small detail. Wife says they look great to her.
But now I'll have to scour around and find some wool ties.
By the way, how do you tie a wool necktie without having a rather large knot?
I'll wear a bow with the black argyle at dress events, but I don't think I could adopt them for regular use.
David

Fortunately for us David, the wool ties are "usually" very light fabric and made so that they are not as wide in the area of the knot thus holding down the bulk. Trial and error will show you where best to place the knot for your neck size and style of collar.

Mike

[auld argonian]

...and if anyone knows of a good source for plain, solid colored woolen neckties, please let me know. Trying to find a tie that's anywhere near tasteful afround here is impossible. Granted that my taste in ties is amazingly conservative...it's impossible. I suppose that some guys are trying to make a staement with their neckties; if that's so the statement is "I'm colorblind and I have my taste in my @$$".

best

AA

[Hamish]

...and if anyone knows of a good source for plain, solid colored woolen neckties, please let me know. Trying to find a tie that's anywhere near tasteful afround here is impossible. Granted that my taste in ties is amazingly conservative...it's impossible. I suppose that some guys are trying to make a staement with their neckties; if that's so the statement is "I'm colorblind and I have my taste in my @$$".

best

AA

Unfortunately I cannot advise you AA, since I do not know the different types of men's outfitting shops you have over there. I get all my plain wool ties - currently: 19 in different colours - from the old-fashioned, tweedy, country shops that one finds in the smaller market towns in the UK. They are mostly patronised by 'gentlemen farmers' and their like who dress in tweeds every day. Most of these ties are made in Scotland and they are quite expensive nowadays, probably due to their scarcity.

Many of the Scottish kiltmakers/Highland outfitters carry rather limited ranges of colours in plain woollen ties in stock, some illustrate them on their websites.

[Angus MacSpey]

Okay, to throw this thread for a loop: what to do if one does not wear ties at all?

I hate them thoroughly. I don't really know whether it's some sort of personal hangup, or the subconsious realization that they are a French invention. No offense to the French meant by that, of course. Maybe it's that so much of modern fashion - for men and women both - seems completely absurd to me. Why wear things that are uncomfortable or ridiculous or of low quality just to be part of the "in" crowd? I have one suit that's been worn 3 times in the 3 years I've had it, so I don't often have occasion for that sort of thing.

For someone who prefers jeans and t-shirts to suits/slacks/button-downs/etc. any day, what would some other options be - including the kilt naturally - for "dressy" occasions? Any thoughts, fellers?

[Bob C]

Any thoughts, fellers?

Yep. Suck it up and wear the tie. It will not kill, or even harm you. :-D

If you don't care about dressy, fine. Some occasions call for them, however.

[macwilkin]

I hate them thoroughly. I don't really know whether it's some sort of personal hangup, or the subconsious realization that they are a French invention. No offense to the French meant by that, of course.

Easy now with remarks about the French, please. I happen to be married to a woman who is descended from (and very proud of) a long line of Louisiana French creoles and Acadian/Cajuns. Not to mention the fact that I am a Cajun "by the ring and back door". ;)

Todd